Hey there, fellow plant enthusiast! Ready to turn up the chill factor in your house without breaking the bank? Say goodbye to sweltering heat and hello to nature’s air conditioning: houseplants. As the sun blazes outside, trying to affect the temperature inside your house, your indoor jungle is working its magic, keeping things cool and purifying the air.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “How effective can plants really be?” Well, my friend, these green wonders are like undercover agents—they quietly battle humidity, toxins, and rising temps. You might not notice their impact right away, but trust me, they’re doing their thing!
1. Ficus benjamina
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Keeping the air inside your house cool isn’t the only benefit of Ficus Benjamina. You can also use this feature to create a cool environment for other plants below or around it. Remember to look for a plant with a tall trunk with a bushy top, which serves as a small forest canopy.
2. Mother-in law’s tongue
Thanks to a high water content, when transpiring, the mother-in-law’s tongue releases cool evaporated moisture into the air in your room. This type of plant can withstand sunny conditions, making it ideal to grow near your window. Thus, it can provide a cooling effect for the room and create shade for other plants.
3. Peace lily
To maximize the cooling effect of a peace lily, go with big and lush leaves. Why? Well, it’s all about the leaf surface area. The larger the leaves are, the more oxygen and moisture they release through their transpiration process.
This plant can also improve air quality in your house. Peace Lilies have been shown to absorb various VOCs, including formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene. These compounds are common in household items like paint, furniture, and cleaning products.
4. Hibiscus
The broad leaf surface of hibiscus provides shade, minimizing the amount of direct sunlight that enters the house, keeping it cooler. Meanwhile, its dense foliage acts as a natural windbreak, reducing the flow of cold air during the winter to keep the house warm.
Thanks to these insulating effects, hibiscus plays a role as a heroic hero in maintaining indoor comfort. This plant can keep not only things cool during scorching summers but also cozy when winter chills set in. It is a gift for your house at any time of year, right?
5. Jasmine
Jasmine, with its soothing fragrance, works like a natural air freshener. Not only does it banish unpleasant odors, but this fragrant-flowered shrub can also help keep indoor temperatures cooler during those scorching summer days.
6. Calathea
Calatheas are also a humidity-absorbing plant that can keep your house cooler. However, to unlock this effect and enjoy its beautiful green foliage, you will need to invest some quality time and effort in taking care of them.
Think of it as a green-thumb treasure hunt. For example, this plant thrives in well-lit spots, be their leafy lifeguard by shielding them from harsh, direct sunlight, or they might end up with a sun-kissed (bleached) look.
7. Begonias
It is very easy to grow begonias in summer because its warm weather creates ideal growing conditions for them. And these beauties can help reduce the impact of heat in summer and banish the sticky vibes from the air.
8. Nerve plants
Hey there! If you’re thinking of growing something which acts as a natural dehumidifier indoors during the summer, consider nerve plants. These little green wonders soak up excess moisture from the air, helping to keep your space comfortable. But here’s the catch: nerve plants are a bit finicky. They don’t like sitting in stagnant air, and harsh direct light, so give them some love, and they’ll thrive!
9. Lucky bamboo
Guess what? Lucky bamboo isn’t just a symbol of luck, it’s beneficial for your indoor air quality. This green gem not only absorbs humidity but also purifies by removing formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air, making your home feel fresher.
10. Ficus Elastica (Rubber plant)
Why are rubber plants a popular houseplant? They can purify the air through their thick broad leaves and roots. This type of plant can also remove carbon dioxide from the air and reduce humidity, preventing pollutants from becoming dust. This benefit is especially valuable for people with asthma, isn’t it?
Chinese evergreen
Although it’s not difficult to find a kind of foliage plant that can cleanse the air in my room from toxins such as benzene and formaldehyde, I love the Chinese evergreen. It can provide me with this benefit without requiring high maintenance qualities. Little water and low light are enough to grow Aglaonema.
Palm
I grow palms in my home because they act as natural air purifiers that can capture potentially harmful particles in the air. Moreover, these plants can collect dust very well and store it on their leaves. Some of these palms include Areca palms, Fern palms, Livistona, Fishtail palm, and Lady palm.
Barberton daisy
Does your new house smell of fresh paint and synthetic fibers? I highly recommend growing Barberton daisies. They not only feature beautiful flowers but also cleanse the air of toxins from household materials, such as formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene.
English Ivy
English Ivy is well-known for its ability to reduce airborne fecal particles, making it ideal for growing in your bathroom. However, make sure that your bathroom design allows access to natural light, as this plant requires four hours of direct sunlight per day.
Spider plant
If you need an air-purifying solution that’s safe for your pets, try spider plants! They’re great at removing toxins like carbon monoxide and xylene (found in printing and rubber industries) without posing any danger to your furry friends.
16. Aloe vera
Aloe vera is like a natural superhero for your home. Apart from filtering out toxins and making your air cleaner, it acts as an odor eliminator. So, say goodbye to funky smells and hello to a fresh, breezy vibe.
17. Red-edged Dracaena or Dragon Tree
If you’re on the hunt for an air-purifying plant that really packs a punch, consider the dragon tree! According to NASA, it’s one of the top 10 plants for cleaning the air. Not only does it give your home a fresh oxygen boost, but it also filters out nasty pollutants, toxins, and even those pesky carcinogens.
18. Boston fern
If you’re looking for an air-purifying superhero, look no further than the Boston fern. It is effective at cleaning the air by tackling common pollutants such as xylene and toluene. And guess what? Growing this greenery is a breeze - no fancy care routines needed! Just give it plenty of humidity and it’ll work its magic.
19. Devil's ivy or pothos
Pothos plant is well-known for its ability of air purification and easy care requirements, but here’s the secret: it’s all about the lighting. Pothos thrives when getting the sweet spot of bright, indirect light.
20. ZZ plant (Zanzibar gem)
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), also known as Zanzibar gem, is highly effective at purifying the air by absorbing harmful toxins such as toluene, xylene, and benzene. However, I don't recommend it for families with pets, as it is toxic to both cats and dogs.
Hey there! When the summer heat hits, Mother Nature’s got your back. Many plants act as a natural air conditioner to cool your space while others purify to improve the air quality.
