Indoor plants are not only beautiful decorations, they also have many health advantages. They produce oxygen, they remove toxins and purify the air. They also increase productivity.

Author: Elizma Burger


It is shocking, the amount of toxins we let in to our homes on a daily bases. Some of the most common toxins include:

  • Formaldehyde– commonly found in tissues, serviettes, wood products and synthetic fabrics
  • Trichloroethylene– commonly found in paint, varnishes and household cleaners
  • Benzene– commonly found in adhesives, lubricants, vehicle exhausts and detergents
  • Ammonia– commonly found in cleaning products and fertilisers
  • Xylene– commonly found in nail polish, tobacco smoke and paint


Luckily there are plants that specifically target and remove these toxins from our homes. The following plants are available in Namibia:


1. Spider Plant/Hen and Chickens

Image: Unsplash – Susan Wilkinson

One of the easiest indoor plants to maintain, the Spider Plant produces oxygen whilst purifying the air in your home and office by absorbing carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and xylene.

 

2. Aloe Vera

Image: Unsplash | Tristan Gevaux

The healing properties found in the gel of Aloe Vera leaves helps to heal cuts and burns. Furthermore, Aloe Vera emits Oxygen and is an air pollutant filter, especially for those toxins emitted by cleaning products.

 

3. Cacti

Image: Unsplash | Martin Becker

Green plants such as cacti absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. This is one of the basic ways of improving air quality. By having cacti plants inside your house, you could reduce the amount of air impurities by over 50%. Indoor plants can also lower the amount of dust and bacterial build-up in your indoor spaces.

When caring for an indoor plant, especially in the colder months of the year, take extra care in deciding where to place the plants. Similar to outdoor plants, most indoor plants do not tolerate direct sunlight, apart from cacti. The perfect space for a plant would be a brightly lit spot without direct sunlight, preferably a window that faces east, west or south. Make sure to keep the plants away from air vents and radiators and you will have a happy healthy plant.


Which of these do you have in your home?


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