Houseplants are a great way to bring a bit of colour and interest to any room – but did you know they can also make your home safer this winter?
As cold weather arrives, dampness, mould and condensation start to appear indoors due to a lack of ventilation.
Help is at hand, though, in the unlikely form of houseplants. There are certain types of plants that can suck humidity right out of the air, helping protect your family from unhealthy mould and spores. We’ve picked out four below which are easy to look after.
The trick is knowing which plants work best in which room by understanding how much light, soil and water they need, writes the Express. For example, not all of the plants below will thrive in a bathroom, typically the room with the most moisture and humidity.
Experts at Gardening Express explained: “Mould in the home is caused by excess humidity. Warm rooms, like bathrooms, are at particular risk. Using plants to help keep mould at bay is a practical and natural way to control humidity and moisture in your home.
“How good a plant is at reducing humidity is all to do with its ability to absorb dew, fog and other moisture through its leaves. This moisture then moves down to its roots. The beauty of this natural solution is that you will notice an improvement while having beautiful plants to enjoy too.”
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The English ivy can remove airborne mould from humid rooms, and is great for smaller bathrooms. The experts said it “grows best in bright, indirect light and needs regular watering”.
But remember to keep it away from pets, as the leaves are toxic to them. For this reason, English Ivy is great in a hanging pot or placed on top of a cabinet.
Peace Lily
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A peace lily “loves the shade and thrives in high humidity so the perfect choice for areas prone to mould”. The plant takes in moisture from the air through its leaves and doesn’t need direct sunlight to grow – it can thrive under fluorescent lighting.
They are also great for those that suffer from allergies or asthma, and the plant produces beautiful flowers but is also toxic to pets so keep it out of reach.
Snake plants
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Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, the snake plant is an adaptable plant and one of the best for condensation or moisture. The plant grows best in bright light and warm temperatures, and is fairly low maintenance, requiring watering every week or two – making it a great starting plant for beginners.
The plant comes in a variety of leaf shapes and colours, many of them reminiscent of snakeskin, and not only do the leaves absorb excess moisture, but they also filter common household toxins.
Palms are said to be a “great choice to help control humidity and keep mould at bay” because they absorb moisture through their leaves.
There are several varieties to choose from, but areca palms, bamboo palms, lady palm, dwarf date palm and reed palm are the best for condensation. Other plants that enjoy humidity are orchids, Boston ferns and spider plants.
This content was originally published here.