Welcome back viewers!
Now that we’re stuck inside more than we’re used to, it’s time to make your space work
for you!
Did you know that your home might be housing more harmful pollutants than outside?
These gasses are called volatile organic compounds or VOCs.
Things like air fresheners, craft supplies, paint, and even household cleaners could be
emitting harmful VOCs all around you.
But don’t worry, in today’s video we’re gonna tell you how you can solve this problem
and create clean air space, to match that clean workspace, with plants.
Do plants really have health benefits?
Can they boost your mood?
Do they really clean the air around you?
We’re talking all that and more.
Plants that you should have in your house:
#1 Spider Plant This has to be one of the easiest plants to
find and to take care of.
Even if you have a knack for killing plants, the spider plant might be right for you.
This plant is really cool looking and prefers lots of bright, indirect sunlight.
This one is great if you have pets at home as it’s non toxic, and very resilient.
Make sure to water this one a few times a week.
According to one study from Nasa, spider plants are fantastic at getting rid of formaldehyde
from the air.
This study was conducted under extremely controlled conditions, so it might not be as effective
as this study claims, but it can’t hurt to keep one close to your workspace, to make
sure you get the most of its cleansing health benefits.
This plant is also said to remove carbon monoxide and xylene.
Fun fact - spider plants will grow “spiderettes” that you can snip off, and re-pot to create
more spider plants.
Give them to your friends and family, or grow your own collection!
You won’t believe this next plant, but before we get to it, don’t forget to hit that subscribe
button and click the notification bell so you never miss any updates from Bestie!
#2 Snake Plant Spiders and snakes, oh my!
Don’t worry, we’re still talking about plants, and the snake plant is another really
easy plant to take care of.
It likes to be on the drier side, so you shouldn’t need to water it everyday, and it can take
a wide range of light levels so it should be okay in most rooms.
As long as that room gets some sunlight you’ll be good to go.
This plant looks really cool, and is said to release oxygen into the air along with
removing harmful chemicals like: formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene.
#3 Chrysanthemum If you wanna add a splash of colour to your
living room or kitchen, Chrysanthemums or “mums” are a wonderful choice!
They come in many colours including white, orange, yellow and pink.
Pet owners beware this one is toxic to both cats and dogs.
While inside, keep these plants damp, and in the sunlight.
When the weather is warm you can plant them outside, too.
Mums are at the top of the list when it comes to air purification, they’re said to remove
common toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, ammonia and benzene.
However they’re only “working” when the flowers are in bloom so, you’ve got
about 6 weeks of purification.
#4 Ficus or Weeping Fig According to NASAs clean air study the Weeping
Fig is one of the top contenders for cleansing air borne toxins like formaldehyde, xylene
and toluene, which can build up from carpet and furniture cleaners or stain removers.
Unfortunately this one is also toxic to cats and dogs, so keep them away from your pets!
On the up side, they’re pretty easy to care for, just keep them out of the direct sunlight,
away from any drafts and allow the soil to get pretty dry before watering again.
They can get pretty big too, which can be a plus or a negative depending on your living
situation.
#5 Dracaenas This plant is perfect for those of you who
want something a little different for your home.
In fact, you can choose from over 40 different types of Dracaenas!
These plants are credited with removing harmful toxins like trichloroethylene which can come
from household paint strippers, varnish removers and even adhesives.
Pet owners beware this is another one that’s toxic for your four legged friends.
This plant needs a medium amount of sunlight so make sure you put it in a room that gets
a few solid hours.
They can also grow anywhere from 8 - 10 feet so make sure you’ve got space for this one.
#6 English Ivy Here’s one that’s really easy to care
for and you can keep in the bathroom of all places!
This one is especially great if you like to dye your hair at home, because English Ivy
is said to reduce levels of trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, xylene, ammonia and benzene
which can be found in a lot of salon products.
It’s also great for the bathroom because this plant is said to help remove mold, too.
This is another plant that is, unfortunately, toxic to your cats and dogs, so if you do
have some furry friends at home make sure this plant is completely out of reach.
Give it a generous amount of water and at least a few hours of direct sunlight, daily.
Although it should be able to handle lower levels of light, which is part of what makes
this plant so easy to take care of!
#7 Peace Lily It’s relaxing just thinking about a peace
lily.
They’re beautiful plants that offer up stunning white flowers when in bloom.
This plant is known for having a high transpiration rate.
This means that when you water it, the water actually works over time and helps bring moisture
back into the room.
This reduces dust in the room and can calm any irritants to your eyes, nose and mouth.
One study shows that plants like this can reduce dust by 20%, Cool huh?
This one takes a little more work to keep happy, but if you’re up to the challenge
you’ll be rewarded with beautiful lilies.
This one is also toxic for pets, and requires morning sunlight only.
You can mist the leaves and make sure to keep the soil nice and damp.
#8 Aloe Vera This is one of the easiest plants to care
for on our list, and one of the most giving plants, too.
Aloe vera is where the soothing gel of aloe comes from, and is an instant remedy for burns
and wound healing.
Along with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, insect bites, and blisters.
It’s great to keep in your kitchen for quick relief from burns or any wounds.
Just break off one of the spikes and squeeze out the clear liquid inside.
This plant will thrive in full sunlight and is said to help clear the air of toxins like
formaldehyde and benzene which can be found in detergents and floor finishes.
Just a heads up, this is another plant that is toxic to your pets.
That’s a great starting point to get more plants into your house.
Now that you know which plants to look out for here’s some of the health benefits you’ll
enjoy once you add some plants to your home.
The Health Benefits
Clears the Air Of Toxins We touched on this a little earlier in the
video but house plants can help trap harmful toxins and re-release them as less harmful
by products.
Besides the NASA study we mentioned earlier another study shows that having house plants
can remove up to 10 percent of carbon dioxide within the home.
They Boost Your Mood Yes, plants are a natural way to feel a little
better each day by boosting your mood.
This book says that touching soft or smooth plants can help you to feel calmer.
Not only that plants can teach us about empathy.
Which is the ability to understand the feelings of someone else.
Something very valuable in everyday life.
By caring for a plant you can increase feelings of compassion and according to one study people
who spend time caring for plants are much more likely to care for others.
If you have a plant that flowers, even better because flowers make you feel happier almost
right away, just by looking at them!
According to a study they can also help improve memory function.
Holistic Therapy Some folks use gardens as therapy, whether
it’s the simple act of gardening yourself, or just walking through a garden.
Have you ever walked through a beautiful public garden?
It’s very calming and that’s just one of the benefits of Holistic Therapy.
Research shows that HT can help improve the health of those suffering with schizophrenia,
depression, dementia and even those struggling with late stage cancer.
Plants are a great addition and can help boost your mood, have stronger relationships and
can possibly help with your productivity.
Some research says that even a picture of nature will have a similar effect if plants
aren’t right for you.
Remember some plants can irritate allergies, especially if they have flowers so make sure
you do your research before bringing them home with you.
So are you gonna go get more plants for your home?
What is your favorite plant on this list?
Let us know in the comments below, we would love to hear from you.