One of the most overlooked factors for indoor gardening is indoor plants for air purification. Many newbies think of their indoor garden as a hobby, something that they do at their own leisure. This is not how indoor gardening should be treated. Indoor gardening has become more popular over the last decade and I believe it is a great hobby for those interested in all types of gardening. Having an indoor garden is like bringing the outdoors into your living room. Houseplants can do many things for your living space, not just to keep you cool, but provide you with beauty and tranquility.
Air Quality: When it comes to indoor plants for air purification I suggest you use only the best indoor plants for air purification and houseplanting. Houseplants can help improve indoor air quality by keeping indoor pollution down, providing a barrier against allergens. One item many people have thrown out is houseplanting. You will be happy to learn that many indoor plants are actually good for indoor air quality and could potentially save those with allergies and asthma from having to take medication.
This indoor plant for allergy relief is an indoor ivy. Growing ivy is very easy and some indoor plants for the purpose are called ivy lights or indoor bonsai. The best indoor plant for the job is the ivy itself. There are several varieties of indoor bonsai but the one I recommend is the Red Ensign or Pearl Ensign. This indoor bonsai grows quite well and looks fantastic.
Aloe vera is another great indoor plant for purifying indoor air and pollution. It is so soothing to the skin and has a strong antibacterial component in its makeup. The biggest downside to using indoor plants is that most contain high levels of toxic chemicals and formaldehyde, which are proven carcinogens. Some of the newer brands I have seen have been developed primarily with organic farmers in mind. These plants are now starting to catch on as indoor plants for allergy relief.
Pothos and some of the other chrysanthemums are another source of indoor pollution. These types of chrysanthemums are usually sold in the greenhouses or at garden centers as containers. Unfortunately not all chrysanthemums are safe. Many times these plants contain toxins that irritate and inflame sensitive respiratory systems.
Flowering plants like lavender and rose are popular but both contain toxic compounds. You also need to make sure any potted plants you get for your home are in a location that does not get full sun so these do not have to be in bright direct light all day long. Sunlight can dry out these types of plants if the leaves start to turn color.
Plants that are potted in pots should always be placed in an area that does not get full sun but is out of direct sunlight so they can develop quickly and new leaves do not turn color quickly. As for the type of plant, there are two types I would recommend. One type is potted Rosemary that normally grows about 3″ and can be kept in a sunny window. The other type of potted plant would be pothos which is a member of the same family as lemon balm.
The first thing I would recommend is a humidifier for your house plant. A humidifier works by taking humidity out of the air and storing it in a container. This is better than placing the plant directly in water. If the humidity is extremely low in your house then using a humidifier becomes extremely necessary. Just make sure you follow the instructions of the manufacturer.