Not all house plants are the same! Some can harm your pets while others can help feed your family. Make sure the plants you decide to add to your home aren’t potentially harmful. If you don’t have pets or allergies, consider yourself lucky, you don’t need to worry about this list of house plants.
In almost every home magazine, images of living rooms and bathrooms include at least one plant. You might even have a few in your own home which is usually great. I love my house plants but there are a few things to know before adding them to your home’s aesthetic.
The Good
Let’s start off with the great things about houseplants. They add color, they will stay alive during the winter, most of them you can leave for a few weeks and they will thrive. Adding a small herb “garden” in your kitchen can mean always having fresh herbs for your dishes. Aloe plants are great for cuts, mosquito bites, and burns. Plants ca also improve you mental health and bring in good vibes.
The Bad
With plants come insects. The more plants, the more insects you’ll see. There aren’t many that go with plants but if you’re the squeamish type around spiders don’t invest in too many plants. You should be careful about what types to bring into your homes if you have children, pets, or if you have allergies.
The Ugly
You may have heard the famous NASA study that found houseplants can clean air. That has been disproven by a 2019 study. As has the myth about getting more oxygen from houseplants. Unless you plan on living in a greenhouse you should not get plants just for those two factors.
Houseplants are fantastic but do not expect them to be something you buy then forget about. Take care of them correctly and your home will look better with the additions. Be aware of what type you bring in and don’t expect too much from them.
A few plants that are ok to be around your pets and can feed your family.
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Cilantro
- Thyme
View a more extensive list of toxic and non-toxic plants.