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NASA Identified the Best Air-Purifying Plants to Keep in Bedrooms
Many people enjoy having plants inside their homes because they add pops of color, but did you know there are other benefits to indoor gardening? Studies have shown that indoor plants can reduce stress, improve attention, and even help you relax. Some plants have interesting shapes, acting as living art and another design element in your home.
When it comes to having plants in bedrooms, choosing the right ones can be tricky because these rooms usually don't have as much light as other rooms. But according to NASA there's a reason that you should have plants in bedrooms. These plants help purify the air and also add humidity, which can help alleviate toxins from your home.
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Leafy Place shared an article describing experiments NASA carried out to see which houseplants can best purify household air. Scientists found that certain leafy green plants can remove pollutants from the air and the report concluded that low-light houseplants have the “potential for improving air quality by removing trace organic pollutants.” The study also identified which 10 plants were the most effective, and the best one to grow in bedrooms.
NASA Top 10 Air-Purifying Plants for Bedrooms
These were NASA's top choices for plants and flowers that purify the air the best:
- English ivy (Hedera helix)
- Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
- Philodendron
- Cornstalk dracaena (Dracaena fragrans)
- Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
- Mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria) – Also known as the snake plant
- Gerbera daisies
- Indoor banana plants (Musa Oriana)
- Green spider plant (Chlorophytum elatum)
- Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
Peace lilies are such a great choice in the bedroom, or any room in the house for that matter. Even when they aren't blooming, they have lovely glossy, green leaves, and when they do bloom, the flowers can last for several weeks. They're extremely easy to care for even though they look delicate. They can thrive in high or bright indirect light. You can always tell when they need water because when they're thirsty, the leaves droop, but they quickly perk back up after a light watering. If you don't have a green thumb, a peace lily is a good plant to start with.
Snake plants are another hearty houseplant that are easy to care for, and they purify the air better than almost all other indoor air-purifying plants. They have cool looking, leathery leaves that twist as they grow. They're one of the lowest maintenance plants you can have, and only require water every few weeks. Make sure the container you put them in has a lot of drainage holes because standing water will cause the plant to decay.
Plants do more than just purify the air in your bedroom. Many indoor plants help eliminate toxic gases like carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and benzene that are found in furniture and other products we bring into our homes. I mentioned that plants add humidity to your home. If you've ever woken up with a sore or dry throat, plants in the bedroom can help keep the humidity at the right level. Humidity helps with dry skin, too.
There are many benefits for adding houseplants to your home, not to mention they're all so pretty! There are several indoor plants that require very little maintenance and help keep your home's air clean. If you're like me and forget to water them, set a reminder on your phone for a day and time you're usually home. Problem solved!
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