Spring is Coming! Indoor Plants Can Get You There Sooner!

Spring is just around the corner!  The air is starting to become fragrant again, the wind feels more like a breeze, and the city is starting to wake from it’s slow, dull, slumber.  As plants and flowers are starting to consider when to bloom, you could give your windows a test to see if they still open, and let a little bit of that still cool air inside to help breathe new life into your home’s rooms and spaces.

As the excitement of Spring’s arrival has you feeling perkier and more alive, take your rediscovered joy a step further by decorating your home with some plants and greenery. Did you know that not only are plants and succulents proven to increase your mood and attitude, but can also purify the air you breathe?  Yes, you can accomplish a great many things with just a few simple plant additions to your home.

Keep reading for a short list of some of the more beautiful, complimentary, and easy to maintain plants and greenery options available that could give your New York City abode that jump start into Spring you cannot live without!

PEACE LILY (Spathiphyllum)

Shade and weekly watering are all the peace lily needs to survive and produce blooms. It topped NASA’s list for removing all three of most common VOCs — formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. It can also combat toluene and xylene.

photo courtesy of https://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

CHRYSANTHEMUM (Chrysantheium morifolium)

The colorful flowers of a mum can do a lot more than brighten a home office or living room; the blooms also help filter out benzene, which is commonly found in glue, paint, plastics and detergent. This plant loves bright light, and to encourage buds to open, you’ll need to find a spot near an open window with direct sunlight.

Pot Mum’s are normally only temporary guests in our homes, the duration of their stay usually mirrors how long they are in bloom, which in ideal conditions is around 6 – 8 weeks. For this reason the Chrysanthemum indoors is more of a pot plant, used for splashes of colour to brighten up a dull spot or a thoughtful birthday present from a work colleague. After the flowering period is over the plant is normally discarded because trying to get them to re-bloom indoors is often more hassle than it’s worth, they are also cheap to buy and therefore much simpler to replace.

photo courtesy of www.ourhouseplants.com

HEART LEAF PHILODENDRON (Philodendron oxycardium)

This climbing vine plant isn’t a good option if you have kids or pets — it’s toxic when eaten, but it’s a workhorse for removing all kinds of VOCs. Philodendrons are particularly good at battling formaldehyde from sources like particleboard.

photo courtesy of www.aphomeinteriors.com

AZALEA (Rhododendron simsii)

Bring this beautiful flowering shrub into your home to combat formaldehyde from sources such as plywood or foam insulation. Because azaleas do best in cool areas around 60 to 65 degrees, they’re a good option for improving indoor air in your basement if you can find a bright spot.

photo courtesy of www.mnn.com

ALOE (Aloe vera)

This easy-to-grow, sun-loving succulent helps clear formaldehyde and benzene, which can be a byproduct of chemical-based cleaners, paints and more. Aloe is a smart choice for a sunny kitchen window. Beyond its air-clearing abilities, the gel inside an aloe plant can help heal cuts and burns.

photo courtesy of www.ourwoodhome.com

GERBER DAISY (Gerbera jamesonii)

This bright, flowering plant is effective at removing trichloroethylene, which you may bring home with your dry cleaning. It’s also good for filtering out the benzene that comes with inks. Add one to your laundry room or bedroom — presuming you can give it lots of light.

photo courtesy of www.gardenweb.com

ENGLISH IVY (Hedera helix)

A study found that the plant reduces airborne fecal-matter particles. It has also been shown to filter out formaldehyde found in some household cleaning products.

photo courtesy of www.cazort.net

SNAKE PLANT (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’)

Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, this plant is one of the best for filtering out formaldehyde, which is common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissues and personal care products. Put one in your bathroom — it’ll thrive with low light and steamy humid conditions while helping filter out air pollutants.

photo courtesy of www.theselfsufficientliving.com

AFRICAN VIOLETS (saintpaulia ionantha)

African Violets are purple in color which is a health benefit in itself. Gazing at the plant can help to stimulate adrenaline release and can increase the flow of oxygen to the brain which can help you to relax. The plants are small and easy to care for, although they do prefer indirect sunlight. They grow very well in artificial light so they are perfect for those who do not have access to direct sunlight.

photo courtesy of www.agardenforthehouse.com

So there you have it, the short list we’ve come up with for an easy New York plant addition to your home just in time to welcome the arrival of Spring.  The best part about this list is that all of the plants are easy to maintain, beautiful to look at and enjoy, and will add a touch of healthy living to your island of safety in the midst of the hustle and bustle of this crazy city.