Houseplants for Air Quality (and for Boosting our Mood)
Plants have been a part of human society since the beginning of time, but how we use and connect with plants has changed over generations and throughout civilizations. From food to medicine to aesthetics and décor, we depend on plants for many different uses.
Houseplants for air quality are very effective and natural air purifiers. Through photosynthesis, plants clean the air by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. And the amount of leaf surface area will influence the rate of air purification. The Boston fern is said to be one of the most effective plants for removing airborne pollutants.
Houseplants are also said to reduce depression, anxiety and mood disorder symptoms. Plants can reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which will lower your heart rate and promote a feel-good state of mind. During the COVID pandemic, plant sales increased significantly as people rediscovered the importance of plants for their mental well-being. Plants’ shape, colour, smell, feel, and taste can increase happiness hormones. Spending a few minutes admiring, nurturing or even inhaling the aroma of a plant will help you relax.
Choosing houseplants for air quality is easy; a quick Google search found the following list of ten that are considered the best.
Best Houseplants for Air Quality:
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
2. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
4. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
5. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
6. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
7. Dracaena (Dracaena spp.)
8. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
9. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
10. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)
These plants are known for their air-purifying properties and can help to remove harmful pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from indoor air. While these plants vary in their specific air-purifying abilities, they all can contribute to improving indoor air quality. Additionally, many of these plants are easy to care for and can thrive in a variety of indoor environments, making them an excellent addition to any home or office space.
Studies have shown that productivity and concentration can be increased with houseplants, even if it is just a little plant on your desk at work. These plants can improve your concentration by up to 20% and increase your ability to recall information by 15-20%. This relates to the plants’ role in reducing CO2 concentration and improving air quality.
Since we spend so much time indoors, houseplants help us to connect with nature. Humans have biophilia which means we are wired to seek connection with nature and plants. Biophilia can be defined as the fascination we get when we watch our houseplants grow and how these plants respond to the sun, light and air. These indoor plants help bridge the biophilic connection between our daily lives and nature’s shapes, colours and sounds.
There are many ways to incorporate more plants into your indoor life to experience more biophilia.
- Asses your lighting – make sure to choose a space where your plant will thrive (bright, sunny window or no direct, it will depend on the plant)
- Asses your airflow – some plants like more humidity, while others prefer drier conditions.
- Get creative- put plants on your desk, a shelf, the wall, or wherever they will make you happy and help you connect with nature.
The houseplants for air quality trend is growing. Millennials saw the most significant demographic growth in 2021 houseplant sales, with a 65% increase. And this is mainly because health and wellness are important to the Millennial generation. They use houseplants for air quality and to create green spaces in their apartments to help them destress and improve their quality of life. Millennials are also enjoying the community houseplant collecting can build. New plant clubs, swaps, and plant shows have been popping up in communities worldwide and are helping people share their expertise and show off their collections.
Houseplants have a lot of benefits, and there are so many to choose from. Find the best houseplants for you and watch as they help change your mood, productivity and air quality.
