Houseplants For a Healthy Home Environment

January is typically the month when my son and I start planning our spring vegetable garden. We pick out and order any seeds we might need and decide what will be planted where. Gardening is a hobby we started quite a few years ago, and it has just grown into a wonderful thing for our entire family. Along with our outdoor garden, we started purchasing a variety of houseplants as well .Today, I want to share some information about them and why having them in your home is a great idea.

   Houseplants are a wonderful way to improve your home environment. Not only do they look nice and add to the decor of a home, they serve an important purpose as well. Many plants actually improve air quality. This is extremely important during the winter months when our windows are shut throughout most of the country.  They absorb gases through both the leaves and roots, which is called phytoremediation. Without getting too scientific, they can help in the removal of some toxins from the air. Now, houseplants certainly aren't going to completely transform the air quality in your home, but they help a bit and can improve health in other ways. Caring for plants has been shown to lower stress levels, make people happier,and have a positive effect on moods overall. In fact, some studies have suggested that  that the smell of soil may ease some symptoms of depression.

   I've compiled a list of plants for you that are considered healthy for the home environment.

Golden Pothos:

Spider

Snake Plant

Philodendron

Boston Fern

Dracaena

Peace Lily

Rubber Plant

Fiddle Leaf Fern(not to be confused with fiddle head ferns)

Garden Mums

Aloe

Garden Mums are considered one of the best air purifying plants, and the Fiddle Leaf Fern is all the rage right now. These are just a few common houseplants that can easily be found at your local nursery or even on Amazon. With the exception of the Boston Fern,which can be tricky to grow, these plants do not require a tremendous amount of time or care, but can add both beauty and benefits to your home.    Many people claim they do not have a green thumb, but I promise you can grow some of these. A little care goes a long way. Don't be afraid to try ...you will be happy you did! The addition of plants to your home is a great way to start the New Year!