The cold, dreary days of winter are fast approaching. And what’s left of our green lawns and colorful leaves will soon be covered by a white blanket of snow. But that doesn’t mean you have to wait until next spring to enjoy the beauty of bright and colorful blooms.
Here are 6 hardy varieties of houseplants that are sure to brighten up even the greyest of days. And because they are so easy to care for, they’ll survive even the brownest of thumbs.
But there’s more to these and other varieties of houseplants than good looks. Each one is a known tool, if you will, in the fight against polluted indoor air. Bacteria, formaldehyde, and other airborne pollutants are drawn into the plants’ root systems which the plants hungrily feed on and help keep them out of your lungs.
- Chrysanthemum – Besides adding brilliant, florid color to your home or office, this air cleaning plant filters out benzene, a chemical commonly found in glue, paint, plastics, and detergent. Chrysanthemums prosper in bright light and, for maximum flowering potential, place your near a window where it can get direct sunlight.
- Bamboo Palm – This small palm loves the shade and often sports flowers and berries. In terms of improving air quality, it’s your number one defense against benzene and trichloroethylene. It has a taste for off-gassing formaldehyde, which makes it a nice companion to furniture and new carpeting.
- Chinese Evergreen – So easy to care for, and so effortless as it removes a number of toxins from – more and more so over time. While it enjoys moderate sunlight, it will still produce blooms and red berries in low-light conditions.
- English Ivy – The houseplant variety thrives in bright but filtered light, but also does well in low light conditions. Keep the soil moist without over-watering, and it will reward your efforts by reducing the amount of fecal-matter particles in your air. Plus, it’s more plant fighting the good fight against the formaldehyde found in some household cleaning products.
- The Tranquil Snake Plant – The snake plant, with its green leaves outlined in gold trim, may just be the easiest houseplant to care forever. It can survive droughts, thrives in low light, and can pretty much avoid most insect problems. Caring for it is simple is as simple as providing proper drainage for the soil.
Then again, houseplants do their best air-cleaning work when they have help from their friends – friends like the indoor air quality specialists at DiBiase Heating & Cooling. By installing a whole-house air purification system, for example, we can eliminate more than 99% of dust, dirt, bacteria, mold, household chemicals, and much more from your indoor air while your heating or cooling system fan is engaged. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you and your family feel better by eliminating the source of colds, flus, plus allergy and asthma irritants.
