Anyone shopping for houseplants has likely considered their appearance, care needs, and ideal placement. While greenery, maintenance, and beauty are all crucial factors, another often overlooked one is health benefits! A gorgeous plant is always a plus, but one that enhances your health as you go about your day? That’s even better!
Health and wellness rely heavily on diet and exercise, but your environment is equally crucial. Poor air quality or an unbalanced indoor space can lead to long-term health issues and everyday discomforts. The right houseplants can help address some of these common concerns. Adding specific plants to your home can improve mood, reduce stress, enhance sleep quality, support better breathing, and boost overall wellness. While houseplants may appear just decorative, they’re working behind the scenes to keep you healthier. Here are 10 must-have plants for good health that enhance your indoor environment.
7 Must-Have Plants for Good Health
Pothos
When you think of a houseplant, the pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum) is likely one of the first to come to mind. Also known as devil’s ivy or golden pothos, this hardy plant features lush, heart-shaped leaves in shades of solid green or marbled green and yellow.
Beyond its beauty, pothos is one of the easiest plants to grow. It is low-maintenance, prefers indirect sunlight, and requires only occasional watering. It also adds a cozy, aesthetic charm to your space. But its benefits go beyond mere decoration. It purifies indoor air, filtering toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide. It can even help eliminate odors and soothe tired eyes strained from long hours in front of screens.
Snake Plant
The snake plant is a forever favorite. It is known for its ability to improve indoor air quality. Unlike most plants, it works extra hard at night, converting carbon dioxide into oxygen while you sleep. Placing one in your bedroom can promote better rest and fresher air. Keeping multiple snake plants around your home ensures continuous air filtration, helping to remove harmful chemical particles and enhance overall well-being.
With its striking, upright leaves and jungle-like appeal, the snake plant adds beauty and function to your space. Its sleek, minimalist aesthetic complements any décor while quietly working behind the scenes to keep you and your loved ones naturally healthy. When it seems like houseplants are only for decoration, the snake plant proves they’re doing much more than just looking pretty!
Lavender
Need a natural remedy for stress and anxiety? Try lavender. Famous for its calming properties and signature fragrance, lavender is a go-to plant for relaxation. It is the source of one of the world’s most popular essential oils, which is used to reduce stress and create a sense of tranquility.
Simply breathing in its soothing scent can help regulate your nervous system, slow your heart rate, and prepare your body for restful sleep. Place a lavender plant in your bedroom or relaxation space, inhale deeply, and let its gentle aroma work its magic, helping you unwind and sleep faster.
Peace Lily
The name “peace lily” instantly brings a sense of calm, and for good reason. This elegant plant is known for being low-maintenance yet resilient, though it is sensitive to drought and excessive heat.
Peace lilies thrive in indirect, low-to-medium light, perfect for dimly lit spaces. They’re also great at communicating their needs. When thirsty, they droop slightly as a gentle reminder to water them.
Beyond their beauty, peace lilies help purify indoor air, creating a fresher, healthier environment. However, keep them out of reach of pets and small children, as ingesting their leaves can cause vomiting or tongue swelling.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is well known as nature’s remedy for sunburns and skin irritations, but its benefits go far beyond skincare. Used for thousands of years in natural medicine, this versatile plant improves indoor air quality by sitting in your living space. Even if you’re not nursing a burn, aloe works to absorb airborne toxins from paints, cleaning agents, and other household chemicals to create a cleaner, healthier environment.
Beyond its air-purifying properties, aloe vera is a nutrient-rich addition to smoothies, juices, and other health-conscious recipes. And this soothing plant is always ready to provide relief when minor burns happen, whether from the sun or the kitchen. Cute, vibrant, and incredibly low-maintenance, aloe vera is a must-have houseplant for both wellness and home aesthetics.
Orchid
Orchids are exotic tropical flowers that symbolize elegance, beauty, and tranquility. Beyond their stunning appearance, these delicate blooms offer remarkable health benefits. Orchids can improve sleep quality, promote relaxation, and create a soothing atmosphere that enhances peace and calm.
In traditional medicine, dried orchids are often brewed into teas to boost the immune system and combat fatigue. Their presence alone can uplift a space, making them a perfect addition to bedrooms or relaxation areas.
Red Edged Dracaena
The red edge dracaena is perfect for anyone seeking a low-maintenance houseplant that enhances well-being. With its long, slender green leaves accented by bold red edges, this striking plant does more than add visual appeal. It actively works to purify the air by removing toxins, creating a fresher and more relaxing environment.
The red edge dracaena helps cultivate a sense of calm. Beyond its health benefits, it’s also seen as a symbol of peace, reinforcing its role as a decorative and meaningful plant for a serene, stress-free space.
