Baskadia

In today's fast-paced world, where most of us spend most of our time indoors, creating a healthy and refreshing environment within our living spaces is essential. 

One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by incorporating indoor plants into our homes. They enhance the aesthetic appeal and offer numerous health benefits, including improved air quality, decreased stress levels, and increased productivity.  

big leaf plants stand out among the diverse range of indoor plants as visually striking and highly beneficial to our well-being. 

In this article, we will explore the world of indoor plants, focusing on the best options, also big-leaf plants that will transform your living spaces into soothing havens of greenery.

Best Houseplants for Your Health

The best indoor plants rid the space of harmful chemicals. Plus, many of these are hardy and low-maintenance, a benefit for beginners.

Snake Plant

Sansevieria trifasciata, also known as the snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, is an evergreen perennial (meaning it grows in all seasons) identified by its pointed leaves, growing up to 4 feet tall.

Health benefits: Snake plants can remove certain amounts of air pollutants such as benzene (a flammable, colorless, or light yellow chemical), formaldehyde (a colorless, combustible gas that can cause irritation and cancer) and, to a lesser extent, trichloroethylene (or TCE, a colorless, carcinogenic organic chemical)

How to care for it: Snake plants thrive in warm, bright areas but can endure some shade or low light as well. They should be watered regularly in spring and summer and less fall through winter.

Golden Pothos

Epipremnum aureum, also called golden pothos or devil’s ivy, can be differentiated by the added gold/yellow to the pothos’ broad, heart-shaped leaves.

Health benefits: In the previously mentioned NASA study, golden pothos was found to somewhat filter formaldehyde and TCE from the surrounding air. It removed 73% of benzene from the air and still performed well without its full foliage[1].

How to care for it: Golden pothos does best in medium to high indirect light and a humid environment. Wait until the soil is halfway dry to thoroughly soak the soil, allowing it to drain. Cut any discolored or damaged leaves and stems.

Bamboo Palm

The Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) stands tall as a captivating representative of big-leaf plants in indoor gardening. It can grow up to 6.5 feet tall indoors, is non-toxic, and has narrow, lance-shaped leaves that grow up and out from the central stalk(s). 

Health benefits: NASA’s study found Chamaedorea seifrizii successfully removed formaldehyde, benzene, and TCE from surrounding air (listed in descending order of efficacy)[3].

How to care for it: Bamboo palms prefer bright indirect light in warmer temperatures. Water once the soil is mostly dry and let the water drain through. Remove any excess water to avoid standing water.

Spider Plant

Chlorophytum comosum, or the spider plant, is non-toxic and has long, narrow, typically striped leaves. Perennial spider plants grow 12 to 15 inches tall and produce small white star-shaped flowers.

Health benefits: Across several studies, spider plants have been shown to remove toxins from indoor air, including particulate matter, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, carbon oxide, ozone, xylene, benzene, toluene, cigarette smoke and ammonia.

How to care for it: Spider plants do well indoors with medium to bright light in cool to average temperatures and can live in soil or a soilless environment. Because it grows quickly, it requires frequent repotting.

Dracaena

There are several dracaena varieties, but they all tend to grow leaves upward and outward from a central stalk or cane.

Health benefits: Three dracaena varieties—Dracaena marginata, Dracaena deremensis (now known as Dracaena fragrans), and Dracaena massangeana—were found by NASA to remove TCE from the air; deremensis and marginata were also found to remove benzene and formaldehyde. The ‘Janet Craig’ variety of Dracaena deremensis stands out for removing 79% of benzene from the air.

How to care for it: Many dracaena plants, including Dracaena fragrans, thrive in low to medium indirect light; others such as Dracaena marginata, prefer bright indirect light but can still survive in low light. Water a dracaena with distilled water or rainwater when the soil is about 75% dry, and allow water to drain through. Avoid exposing the plant to cold or hot air.

Ferns

Ferns include thousands of species and reproduce via spores. Ferns are non-toxic, leafy, and stay small or grow more like a tree, depending on the species.

Health benefits: Studies show ferns, especially the Japanese royal fern or zenmai, have strong air purification qualities, specifically when removing formaldehyde. The Boston fern has also shown to be a strong proponent for removing carbon dioxide from its indoor environment.

How to care for it: Ferns thrive in warm, humid climates and don’t need much light. Ferns should be kept in moist soil, requiring frequent misting.

English Ivy

An invasive outdoor plant, English ivy (Hedera helix), can be grown as an evergreen, typically fast-growing, houseplant. There are hundreds of types of English ivy that vary in shape and color, but ivies are typically identified by their climbing vines and broad, flat leaves.

Health benefits: English ivy removed the highest percentage of benzene from the air, at nearly 90%, compared to other plants tested in the NASA study, and is also able to remove TCE and formaldehyde.

How to care for it: English ivy thrives in bright indirect light and consistently mild temperatures. English ivies can be misted daily, watered when soil is partially dry, and pruned without harming the plant.

Note: This list is intended to educate on the benefits of certain plants through normal houseplant use. The following are toxic and should not be consumed by pets: The snake plant, golden pothos, Dracaena, and English ivy.

Advantages of Indoor Plants

Indoor plants offer numerous advantages that go beyond their aesthetic appeal. Here are some of the key benefits of having indoor plants:

A few indoor plants are beautiful decorations that brighten up your rooms.

Indoor plants improve the atmosphere in your apartments because they provide fresh air at all times and reduce CO2 levels. This boosts your overall well-being.

Plants reduce stress and blood pressure. The color green has calming effects.

Indoor plants make sure you get a restful night of sleep because of the improved quality of air.

Especially interesting to students: Indoor plants improve your concentration! Greenhouse plants on your desk help you to remain focused, awake, and productive. 

Final words

Indoor plants, especially those with big, lush leaves, offer a multitude of benefits for our health and well-being. 

The variety of big leaf plants available ensures that there is a perfect option for every taste and style. So why not introduce these beneficial houseplants into your living spaces and create a serene oasis of greenery that will not only delight the eye but also nurture your mind, body, and soul?