Four House Plants That Can Help You Live Longer

Think houseplants are boring? Not these four: according to a new study, they could save your life.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on November 10 2009

Asparagus Fern. Image: iStockphoto

You may think of potted plants as the poor man’s pet, for someone who can’t be trusted with a goldfish, let alone a cat or dog. And while it’s true that plants aren’t able to lick your face or play fetch, it turns out they’ve been vastly underrated all these years: according to a new report, your ornamental plant might just save your life.

In a new report from the University of Georgia, researchers claim that five types of “super ornamental plants,” including English ivy, waxy leaved plants, and ferns, soak up high levels of harmful indoor pollutants called volatile organic compounds (VOC), which are responsible for over 1.6 million deaths annually. By filling your home and office with these plants, you can drastically reduce the amount of VOCs that you are exposed to, which will help to reduce your stress levels and provide a boost to your overall health.

True, a potted plant may not be quite as exciting as a Golden Retriever, but it won’t have an accident on your new carpet, it looks pretty, and it might help you live longer. Why not go green?

If you’re ready to pick up a plant, here are the top four choices, specially selected for their de-polluting powers:
1. Purple waffle plant (Hemigraphis alternata)
2. English ivy (Hedera helix)
3. Waxy leaved plant (Hoya carnosa)
4. Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus)

Learn more fascinating facts about plants in Flora Mirabilis: How Plants Have Shaped World Knowledge, Health, Weath, and Beauty, by Catherine H. Howell.

Filed under: Green, Health and Wellbeing,