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Do you suffer from allergies? Here are the best best allergy friendly indoor plants for allergy sufferers! I’ve recently discovered a love for indoor plants, transforming my once “black thumb” into a growing collection of plant babies that not only brighten up my space but also boost my well-being. After researching the benefits of having plants indoors, I’ve found that they can improve health by reducing stress and purifying the air—though it’s important to choose the right plants and care for them properly.
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Old home? Add some plants!
I love having plants in the home. I have so many plant babies now. Honestly, I used to have a serious black thumb. I never learned how to garden when I was growing up, and only recently have grown (pun intended) a sincere love for it, and am finally developing a green thumb. Yay! It must have been about 2 years ago that I decided to dedicate some time to learning how to take good care of them. It’s a new thing for me, but I have been enjoying it so much that my collection is now growing and I find my home feels a lot healthier. There are so many reasons why I love having indoor plants, but one of the main reasons is that I’ve discovered that having plants indoors can be a great way to boost health and well-being (along with making my space look cute!). It seems to be a controversial subject, but after researching myself, I have found that not only do plants look beautiful and add a natural touch to home design, but they can also provide numerous health benefits from reducing stress to removing indoor air pollutants, especially for those sensitive individuals that suffer from indoor allergies. Of course, this depends on the actual indoor plant chosen, and how well you care for it. Before running to the store to buy as many indoor plants as you can, be sure to do your own research and read the rest of this article so you know which plants work best.
Our home is 123 years old. I just love the charm and characteristics of it, but I do find that a stuffy nose or even a runny nose has become very common since moving in. I have also noticed that a lot more dust particles fly around throughout the house, even after a deep clean. After the first year of moving in, I decided to install a couple of air purifiers (upstairs and downstairs) to help remove the dust mites, pet dander, and other harmful toxins that might be in our air (yes, perhaps even some hiding mold spores?!). I realize that there are airborne allergens in every home, but the inefficiency of our old windows, walls, and baseboards seems to allow a lot more dust and airborne pollutants to become unwelcome guests living it up around the house. I know, I know, our house is the perfect party spot! If you notice this in your home, or you just want to have clean air and some allergy relief, the good news is that you don’t have to rely only on a great air purifier that may not look so cute. House plants are a great air purification option!
Okay, here’s the science and study findings.
Plants increase oxygen levels in the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen during photosynthesis. New oxygen in an indoor space is always a good thing! According to a NASA study, it was confirmed that plants did clean the air in a closed environment. Other studies have found that plants are good at trapping allergens and can also remove harmful gases, such as formaldehyde (which is present in rugs, vinyl, cigarette smoke, grocery bags, and even some furniture and mattresses, yuck!), and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Seriously, sign me up for all the plants! What was even more surprising to me to learn was that some studies have shown people’s work performance enhancing when they were allowed to have indoor plants in their office space. So, grab a cup of coffee AND a plant when in the office to increase your production. Ha ha! A study done at Virginia Tech also found that houseplants can reduce indoor dust by up to 20%, promoting better respiratory and skin health. Yes, please!
But wait, are all plants good for air quality?
Not all plants are actually good for the air in a home environment. Some plants can actually worsen symptoms in some hay fever sufferers. It doesn’t seem too common, but before bringing any plant indoors, I’d make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction to it if you are sensitive or have pollen allergies. Any flowering plant has the potential to cause symptoms so be careful. Also, be cautious with the soil that you choose to use. Some soils have bacteria, pesticides, or other contaminants. I always opt for a quality organic soil when planting new indoor plants into pots for the home.
Some of the best indoor plants that are known to increase oxygen and/or purify the air are:
How to make sure your plant is healthy so your air is too:
Something important to remember here is that you need to care for your plants in order to enjoy all these benefits. If you let your plant sit in a corner and only water every now and then, it will be another dust collector, thus not really helping your indoor air quality. I wipe down my plant leaves with a damp cloth to make sure it’s not building up dust. I also make sure to not overwater it. Depending on the plant, moist soil is better than wet soil as mold can grow in the soil of your plants if it is wet for too long. I know I don’t want to be adding additional toxins to my home environment.
Mental health benefits, anyone?
For an added bonus, you might be surprised to learn that indoor houseplants can also help your mental health and provide some stress relief. Studies have shown that having plants nearby can help you feel calmer, more content, and more focused. I don’t know if this is true or not, but hey, I read it, and it makes me happy. Plants make me happy too, so I guess it’s a win! Caring for plants can be a therapeutic and mindful practice, which can help decrease stress and anxiety; this goes for gardening outdoors as well. I have seen this effect in my own lie. You might be tempted to call me the crazy plant lady, but I may be known around the house for having talked to my plants and even naming them. I went to a church growing up where the pastor would say that the reason his plants thrived was because he’d greet and talk to it. I swear by it now. Ha ha!
Finally, let’s talk about decor real quick, because you all know how much I love home design. Indoor plants have become an increasingly popular choice for home styling and staging, and with good reason. Whether you opt for tall and leafy palms, cascading vines, or charming succulents, there’s a perfect plant to complement every room’s style and size. Embracing indoor plants is a wonderful way to infuse your home with freshness and serenity while effortlessly enhancing its aesthetic appeal, and oxygen! Scores on all fronts!
So, why not consider adding a few houseplants to your indoor garden? With low maintenance plant options and stylish planters available, it’s easy to bring the benefits of nature into your home.
