There’s good news for plant lovers lacking a green thumb or a yard of their own. Bringing the outdoors inside with a houseplant can be the perfect way for renters to bring spring indoors, and it’s easier than you think. Many houseplants can thrive without the need for constant care and attention.
And, having live goods in your home has benefits beyond décor appeal—in a clean air study conducted by NASA, it was found that indoor plants remove up to 87 percent of volatile organic compounds in your home every 24 hours. In a nutshell, houseplants have the ability to purify the air you breathe and remove toxins—a nice bonus to adding a little color and life to any room.
Bring the benefits of nature indoors with these five houseplants that require little time—and even fewer gardening skills—to flourish.
Pothos
This fast growing, leafy green plant will brighten your home without much effort. The broad-leafed plant does fine in low-light and artificial light environments, so you can place it in areas that don’t receive direct sunlight. Pothos grows along a vine and is versatile—it can be placed in a pot, hanging basket or water. Occasionally trim the stems and you will encourage more growth. The plant, also known as devil’s ivy, has been shown to remove benzene, formaldehyde, xylene and toluene toxins from the air.
Peace Lily
Peace lilies are hearty plants that love their shade. Never know when to bring out the watering can? The leaves will droop when it needs some H2O love. Its flowers tend to bloom in early summer and The Old Farmer’s Almanac advises that if the flowers have yet to appear, try moving the plant to a darker room. In NASA’s study, peace lilies helped remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene and ammonia toxins from the air.
Dieffenbachia
Don’t overwater this tropical plant, which has broad leaves with white specks along the surface. It prefers moderately dry soil and medium sunlight to thrive—making it a beautiful and easy addition to your home. Dumb canes, as they are also called, have been shown to remove xylene and toluene toxins from the air—but keep them out of reach of children and animals, as they have some undesirable side effects if consumed.
English Ivy
This quick-growing plant provides a graceful and classic look for any area of your home; work with the plant to have it trail along long ledges or furniture. Ivy prefers a lot of light, moist soil and cooler temperatures—however, the darker the environment and the lower the temperature, the slower it will grow. Studies show that English ivy removes benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene toxins from the air.
Kalanchoe
Try a twist on the traditional succulent with this flowering plant. Kalanchoes bloom as a response to daylight, so it’s possible to see the colorful plant thrive during the middle of the winter. These plants do prefer a lot of light and soil ideal for succulents, but once it is set up, it’ll be a low-maintenance décor option that doesn’t require frequent watering.
Visit our Garden Club for more information and ideas.
