April 2020

Houseplants are the ultimate accessory in decorating an apartment. Some well-placed greenery can brighten a space and clean the air you breathe. Apartment living often leaves little to no outdoor space for a garden. But you can bring a little dose of Zen and nature indoors by adding one of these easy to care for houseplants to your living space. These seven houseplants will not only will the lighten the mood and freshen up your décor, but will aid in the removal of pollutants and clean the air you breathe.

Keep in mind: some plants and plant parts can be toxic. Keep them out of the reach of children and pets.

Peace Lily

Known for its ability to fight against toxic gases such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, peace lilies are relatively easy to care for and even show signs of drooping when they need to be watered. They can be mildly toxic to pets and humans, so it’s important to wash your hands after touching the plant

Bamboo Palm

NASA scientists listed the bamboo palm as one of the best air-filtering houseplants. Also known as a reed palm, this small plant thrives in shady indoor spaces and often produces flowers and small berries. Since the bamboo palm, or reed palm, prefers part sun or shade, it does well in virtually any apartment. Best of all, it aids in the removal of harmful elements such as benzene and formaldehyde.

Aloe

Aloe plant gel can soothe sunburns and heal cuts. It’s also known for its ability to rid the air of formaldehyde and benzene – two chemicals found in household cleaners and paint. Grow them in a cactus potting mix or add perlite or sand to a regular potting mix to improve drainage.

Gerber Daisy

This brightly-colored flowering plant provides mood-enhancing beauty and removes trichloroethylene, which is commonly used in dry cleaning. This plant needs plenty of light, so place it near a sunny window.

Snake Plant

Also known as Mother-In-Law’s Tongue, this plant thrives in humid, low-light conditions – so it’s perfect for a bathroom. Use this plant to filter out the smelly chemicals found in bleach and toilet cleaners.

Red-edged Dracaena

This unique-looking shrub can grow all the way to the ceiling if properly cared for. It’s excellent at ridding the air of trichloroethylene, an ingredient found in adhesives and spot removers. The red edges of its long, green leaves bring an unexpected pop of color, too.

Chinese Evergreen

This easy-to-care-for plant thrives in low light and produces blooms and red berries when fully mature. It helps filter out a variety of air pollutants and removes even more toxins as time and exposure continues. It’s important to note that the Chinese evergreen contains an irritant that can be toxic to pets.