Top Indoor Plants That Reduce Allergens at Home
If you're an allergy sufferer, you know the struggle of maintaining a clean and allergen-free home. But what about your indoor plants? Here's a guide to the best allergy-friendly plants that can help improve your indoor air quality and reduce your allergy symptoms.
Lisa Clark, a freelance writer with a passion for gardening, shares her insights on choosing the right plants for allergy-prone households. "Caring for your indoor plants when you have allergies can involve taking steps to reduce allergens in your home," she explains.
One such step is choosing low-allergen, hypoallergenic plants that are effective at purifying air without releasing irritants. Top recommended options include the Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum), Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens), and Devil's Ivy (Epipremnum aureum).
The Snake Plant, with its ability to release oxygen at night, removes toxins like formaldehyde and benzene. It thrives in low light and requires minimal watering, making it non-irritating and good for asthma and allergy sufferers.
The Spider Plant is excellent at removing common indoor toxins such as carbon monoxide and xylene. It’s pet-friendly, non-toxic, easy to care for, and produces no allergenic pollen.
The Areca Palm naturally humidifies the air, which is helpful for dry airways common in asthma. It's also low-maintenance and effective in removing formaldehyde.
Devil's Ivy, also called golden pothos, grows well in low light and purifies toxins without emitting allergens, making it suitable for allergy-prone environments.
Additional suggestions for allergy-friendly plants include the Janet Craig and Lady Palm, known for filtering pollen and allergens due to their smooth leaves. Gerbera Daisies are air-purifying and safe for pets, producing long-lasting flowers without aggravating allergies.
However, it's important to avoid plants that produce a lot of pollen or have irritating airborne spores. Hypoallergenic plants that do not shed irritating pollen and those known to clean indoor air support better breathing and reduce allergy symptoms.
The Madagascar Dragon Tree Plant (Dracaena marginata) and the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) are great choices for indoor air quality, as they do not produce allergens and help cleanse the air.
The peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) is a popular indoor plant for people with allergies, known for its ability to cleanse the air by removing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). However, it's important to note that the peace lily is highly toxic to animals and people, and should be kept away from pets and small children.
Avoid indoor plants such as chrysanthemums, African violets, juniper, male palms and yuccas, weeping figs, ferns, and bonsai, as they can make allergy symptoms worse.
Azaleas, Philodendron, the Madagascar Dragon Tree, and English Ivy are also safe choices for people with allergies or asthma. English Ivy can help reduce mold spores in the air, which is beneficial for allergy sufferers as mold can cause allergic reactions.
In summary, the Snake Plant, Spider Plant, Areca Palm, and Devil’s Ivy are among the best indoor plants for people with allergies due to their low allergenic impact and air-cleaning abilities. By choosing these plants, you can breathe easier and enjoy the beauty of nature in your home.
Houseplants like the Snake Plant and Spider Plant, with their ability to purify air, are ideal choices for allergy-prone households. The Snake Plant removes toxins at night and thrives in low light, while the Spider Plant eliminates common indoor toxins.
The Areca Palm is another excellent option due to its ability to humidify the air, which is beneficial for dry airways common in asthma. This plant is also low-maintenance and effective in removing formaldehyde.
Devil's Ivy, or golden pothos, is suitable for allergy-prone environments, as it purifies toxins without emitting allergens. Indoor plants such as Azaleas, Philodendron, and English Ivy are also safe choices, with English Ivy helping to reduce mold spores in the air.
When selecting indoor plants, it's crucial to avoid those that produce a lot of pollen or have irritating airborne spores. Plants like the Madagascar Dragon Tree, weeping figs, ferns, and bonsai can make allergy symptoms worse.
Investing in the right houseplants can significantly improve indoor air quality and reduce allergy symptoms, transforming your home-and-garden lifestyle and enhancing your overall lifestyle.
