Although the stay-at-home orders during the pandemic led to a revival of gardening habits in many households, it’s still a distant reality for most urban dwellers.
One of the well-known downsides of urban living is a lack of garden space. Many people are confined indoors, often in high rises, making outdoor gardens a luxury. And the hectic schedules of city life anyway leaves little time to get your hands dirty.
Of course, you can still enjoy some greenery in urban living spaces with air purifying indoor house plants. They’ve become increasingly popular to add a splash of color for an instant home makeover. But they have other notable benefits, too, much similar to outdoor gardening.
And in this article, we’ll dig a little deeper into this rising trend of indoor house plants, so you know how to purchase the right ones for your home.
Benefits of indoor house plants: Here’s what science says
We all know that there are many mental and physical health benefits to gardening. But what about indoor plants?
Well, studies show that indoor plants could have calming and mood-boosting effects. They can even raise productivity, improve creativity, and boost job satisfaction. So, they can be an excellent addition to your home to ease stress and work more efficiently, especially for those who have switched to remote working.
According to research, indoor plants are also great for recovering patients and those experiencing anxiety and depression symptoms.
And, of course, they can purify your indoor air, too, and absorb toxins and release more oxygen.
The fact that indoor plants are also significantly easier to maintain than their outdoor counterparts is, of course, a bonus for city dwellers struggling for time.
How to select the right indoor plant
Now, there are a few things you should consider before selecting an air purifying indoor plant for your home.
- Appearance. First of all, identify the types of plants you find attractive. Do you like bushy leaves, lighter green shades, or delicate ferns? Ultimately, the plant you choose must be something you enjoy looking at and fits your style. But it should also match your home interior. For example, if you’re looking for a centerpiece for your living room, you’ll want to opt for a larger and bushier plant. But if you’re working with a small living space, you would definitely want to stay clear of them.
- Child and pet-friendly. Plants like pothos, peace lily, and philodendron could have adverse effects if ingested. So, make sure you avoid them if you’ve got toddlers or pets at home.
- Maintenance needs. We all know that indoor house plants are low maintenance. But they each have different requirements. For example, some may need watering every 2-3 days, while others would be fine with once a week moisture boost. So, consider how much time you can allocate to care for them and select a plant accordingly.
- Location. You should also determine where you want to keep them since not every plant will thrive under the same conditions. For example, bird’s nest ferns will do well in high moisture environments like the bathroom. And a lemon tree plant would be happier with some sunlight by a window.
Best air purifying indoor house plants for your home
1. Monstera Adansonii (Swiss Cheese) Plant by American Plant Exchange
The unusual leaf of the Swiss Cheese plant makes it a popular choice for modern urban homes. But this Monstera Adansonii variety is smaller and grows much slower compared to the Monstera Deliciosa. This makes it perfect for smaller spaces.
It’s also a pretty low-maintenance plant and can even grow under low light conditions. So, it doesn’t just look great. It’s easy to care for as well.
Overall, Swiss Cheese is a no-fuss plant that makes an excellent option for beginners and those with busy schedules.
Price: $29.99
Size: Around 8”-11” tall and comes in a 4” plastic nursery container
Buy here.
2. Aloe Vera Plant by Costa Farms
If you travel often or just tend to be forgetful when caring for plants, then aloe vera is a wonderful indoor plant option for your home. You only need to water it every 2-3 weeks, and it’ll do just fine. It’ll also look great wherever you want to keep it, whether on a side table, mantel, or just on the floor.
But keep in mind that it needs some sunlight. So, avoid dark spaces and keep it by a sunny window.
Price: $20.99
Size: Around 10” tall and comes in a 4” diameter decor planter
Buy here.
3. Sansevieria Snake Plant (Grower’s Choice) by Costa Farms
Sansevieria or the snake plant is one of the most popular air purifying indoor plants for urban and suburban living spaces. This extremely hardy species typically last 5-10 years, sometimes even up to 25 years.
It prefers indirect sunlight and very little water. Usually, Sansevieria will do just fine even if you water it every 3-4 weeks during warmer months. So, it could be an extremely forgiving plant for forgetful plant owners.
Price: $21.99
Size: Around 12” tall and comes in a 6” black grower’s pot
Buy here.
4. Black Coral Snake Plant by Burpee
Now, snake plants come in different colors, based on which you’ll find them priced differently. And this black coral variety with an exotic dark green color is particularly popular for its bold greenery.
If you prefer darker shades or a dark-light contrast in your interior, this might be an excellent choice for you, too.
Price: $22.99
Size: Around 12”-14” tall
Buy here.
5. Split Leaf Philodendron Plant by American Plant Exchange
The split-leaf philodendron is an Instagram-famous plant that has made waves on social media. It’s one of those plants that grow tall with lush leaves. This makes it an excellent centerpiece to add an exotic touch to your interior. But remember, it’s not the best option for cramped spaces.
In terms of maintenance, it needs very little care. You can water it every 1-2 weeks and allow the soil to dry in-between. But it does need some sunlight—preferably bright, indirect light by a window.
Price: $40.99
Size: Around 20”-24” tall
Buy here.
6. Heart Leaf Philodendron Plant by Hirt’s Gardens
Heart-shaped philodendrons are a pretty versatile plant, which makes them perfect for any type of indoor space.
They are a climbing plant. So you can use a hanging planter to allow its heart-shaped, dark green, glossy leaves to trail down and add some beautiful greenery to your home. You can even trim it and place it on the floor or a table in a regular pot.
These philodendrons are easy to care for as well. Just keep them in medium indirect light with evenly moist soil.
Price: $16.00
Size: Around 20”-24” tall
Buy here.
7. White Bird of Paradise Plant by Costa Farms
White Bird of Paradise or Strelitzia Nicolai is a beautiful plant that can grow into a neat bush without the typically unruly foliage. It can grow up to 6 feet tall, with the large leaves splitting as they mature. This makes it an excellent option for spacious living spaces. Just make sure to plant it in a large decorative planter.
This plant can also tolerate droughts pretty well. So, you wouldn’t need to worry about regular watering. But place it in an area with enough bright filtered light.
Price: $55.99
Size: Around 24”-28” tall
Buy here.
To sum up
Air purifying indoor house plants are the perfect choice to decorate your indoor spaces with some lush live greenery. And they come with plenty of mental and physical health benefits, too. They are excellent to ease stress, boost mood, and enhance productivity. Indoor greenery also comes with plenty of therapeutic benefits, especially for recovering patients. Plus, there’s the air-purifying effect to give you a fresh dose of air.
But remember to consider the appearance, maintenance needs, and the location you plan to keep them when selecting indoor plants. It’s important to choose one that can thrive under the temperature, humidity, and sunlight conditions of your home.
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