12 Most Beneficial Houseplants

The addition of houseplants can instantly enhance any room in your home, injecting life and color while offering benefits such as improved air quality. It’s important to choose the right types of plants for each area of the house, based on factors such as available light and moisture content, as well as the specific benefits you wish to achieve with each placement. Decorate your dwelling the right way by following these dozen suggestions for indoor plant possibilities.

Common Areas

The den, the living room, the family room, the TV room–these all might be one and the same, but regardless of what you call your collective gathering space, it can always be made more inviting with the right kind of flora. Consider these suggestions to complement your common room:

1. Peace Lily:

Ideal for use in both limited and abundant lighting situations, the low-maintenance peace lily is a popular choice. This plant is known for its smooth green leaves and upward growing habit, making for a potted plant that’s space-efficient and attractive. It is perfect to position on the floor or staged on a side table.

2. Golden Pothos:

Capable of efficiently clearing pollutants like formaldehyde from the air, the golden pothos is a favorite indoor plant of many, including the folks at NASA. NASA has done research on such subjects in the interest of using these plants in space stations. After all, if it’s good enough for NASA, imagine what it can do for your living space!

3. Bamboo Palm:

Another NASA winner, bamboo palms are great for purifying indoor air, particularly when it comes to chemicals like trichloroethylene and benzene. With sufficient water, these exotic houseplants can instantly add a dose of vibrancy to any living room. Having not only a beautiful plant in your living room but one that promotes a breathable atmosphere can transform your house and impress your guests.

In the Bedroom

Most people spend a pretty good amount of time in the bedroom, even if much of it is dedicated to sleeping. Plant life aids in two significant ways here, serving to sooth and relax while also working to remove toxins from the air you breathe. This is an advantage to you whether you’re conscious or otherwise. Here are a few favorites to spruce up your sleeping quarters:

4. French Lavender:

Many people find lavender to be a particularly calming scent, which is why it’s used in so many air fresheners and personal products. The purple color of its flowers makes an elegant addition to any bedroom as well; just make sure there’s plenty of sunlight to promote healthy growth.

5. Snake Plant:

Quite common and easy to maintain, the snake plant requires relatively little sunlight or water to thrive, making it a fine choice for corner placements in the bedroom. These helpful houseplants also soak up the carbon dioxide you don’t want during the day, releasing oxygen overnight so you get a better night’s rest.

6. Dracaena:

Often chosen for those who have large amounts of space to fill, the Dracaena can grow to be over eight feet tall and several feet wide. Long, colorful curving leaves offer a unique elegance for your bedroom. It’s often best to keep these houseplants away from common areas, as the leaves are toxic if chewed by pets (or people).

Bathroom Botany

Restrooms can be a challenging place for many types of plants to flourish simply due to their natural limitations. Most bathrooms tend to be smaller, as do their windows, if they even have them. Below we have a small selection of suitable houseplants for the lower-light and higher-humidity environments in your home:

7. Ferns:

As a tropical plant, the fern is accustomed to thriving even in the limited sunlight allowed by the presence of the surrounding forest. They’re also naturally adept when it comes to dealing with moisture in the air, making them a perfect pick for the smallest room in your house.

8. Cast Iron Plant:

This aptly-named houseplant is the choice for those whose restrooms are ill-equipped to support floral life. It’s capable of thriving even with very limited lighting and can even withstand a reasonable amount of irregularity in its watering schedule. The strong green leaves will assure you a dash of color in an otherwise sterile rest area.

9. Orchids:

If your bathroom is able to provide a healthy amount of indirect sun, then orchids can be a great way to add a soft, clean touch of beauty to the space. This flowering plant does require its share of humidity though, which is what makes it a good candidate for washrooms that get a little steamy now and again.

Home Office

If you work from home, then you know just how important it is to maintain a space where you can separate yourself and tackle all the issues of the day. A few floral additions can quickly transform your office from mundane to marvelous, clearing the air and making for a tranquil environment that’s conducive to work focus every day. Here are a few top picks you might consider for your office space:

10. English Ivy:

One of the very best choices for natural air filtration, English ivy is a popular choice in buildings of all types. It’s easy to care for, requires only indirect light for proper growth and is an excellent way to counteract the collective impact of computer fans and office equipment on one’s overall health.

11. Peppermint:

The science is in on peppermint, which the International Journal of Neuroscience says can benefit both memory and alertness during the day. As an added benefit, a whiff of peppermint’s distinct aroma is said to help curb cravings. How about that for help staying focused on the job?

12. Lemon Balm:

This easy-care option is similar to peppermint in that its natural scent is said to help boost norepinephrine, a chemical in your brain which is associated with improved mood. Lets face it, sometimes we need a mood boost when in our offices. With a reasonable amount of indirect sunlight, a lemon balm plant should hold up well in virtually any home office.

Closing Thoughts

In this day and age, many people are all too ready to rely on chemical air fresheners or candles when a natural option is right there waiting. Adding plants around your home is an ideal way not only to beautify your surroundings and clear the air, but also to enhance your own appreciation of life and nature. Visit your local nursery or home improvement retailer and be amazed at how many possibilities await you.