Musty House Air? Try These 10 Oxygen Releasing Plants
I must admit I only recently realized how
important it is to my home’s microclimate that I fill the rooms of my
house with plants. This is especially important for those houses with
young children or allergy sufferers. Though some plants are actually
better than others at cleaning the atmosphere, filling a room with
oxygen and maintaining good humidity. That’s why I’ve put together this
list of 10 of the very best potted plants to improve your home’s
microclimate.
1. Spathiphyllum
Otherwise known as ‘women’s happiness’,
thanks to the traditional belief that this plant brings love and joy to a
house, spathiphyllum is great at removing moisture from your home. By
doing so it normalizes the house’s microclimate and banishes mold
spores. To keep this plant healthy, we recommend a temperature of 18°C.
2. Coffea
Coffea plants include around 100 different
varieties, of which the most common are the Arabic or Congolese coffee
shrubs. These coffee plants only bear fruit after 5 or 6 years,
therefore, to gain the terrific fruit and flower scents, purchase an
adult one. Coffea shrubs are excellent at absorbing excess moisture in
the air.
3. Myrtus
Myrtus has long been seen as a sacred
symbol of joy and peace. It’s said to be able to restore youth and fill a
room with energy and helpful spirits. Scientifically, myrtus also has a
wealth of benefits to offer your home. It can restore a healthy
microclimate to any room, and care for your health thanks to its
production of phytoncides that kill airborne microbes.
4. Laurus Nobilis
Laurus was associated in classical times
with majesty, victory, and glory, and this plant can certainly do a good
job of normalizing your home’s microclimate. Because it hails from
subtropical climes, it is used to absorbing moist, humid air. Just make
sure to give it plenty of warm water.
5. Citrus lemon
There is hardly any plant fresher smelling
than a lemon tree. It fills your home with a wonderful citrus scent,
while absorbing the excess moisture that ruins a room’s atmosphere. The
leaves are full of curative properties, which help to sterilize the
regions the plant occupies. Give the tree lots of warm sunlight, water,
and soil.
6. Chamaecyparis
The Chamaecyparis is sacred to the
Japanese, who have long held that the souls of their ancestors and kami
gods live in these trees. It does need lots of shade and water, but in
return, it will rid the air of dirty impurities and reduce headaches and
migraines.
7. Sansevieria
This plant doesn’t need nearly as much
watering as many of the others, as its leaves retain an awful lot of
water naturally. You can keep it anywhere in your house and watch it
freshen the air, filling it with oxygen. This will also have the effect
of neutralizing the fumes that are caused by synthetic materials which
our homes tend to be full of.
8. Ficus
You will need lots of room and shade to
house this most popular of trees. The ficus will moisturize and
oxygenate the room, fighting viruses and harmful toxins, while scooping
away floating dust with its large leaves. You needn’t water it too much,
so it doesn’t require much care.
9. Cissus
The cissus quadrangularis resembles ivy, in that it grows towards the
light, enveloping the structures around it. This plant is suitable for
moisturizing rooms with dry air. You will need to provide it plenty of
shade while showering it regularly with moisture.
10. Kalanchoe
The kalanchoe requires a lot of sunlight but not much water to help
provide moisture to a dry environment. This plant will regulate the
climate of your home, or at least help to do so. It’s such a gorgeous
plant too, isn’t it?!