House plants are great at cleaning the air of our homes and offices, but they have the added benefit of helping boost our immune systems as well. House plants can scrub the air of toxins and help improve our overall well-being.Here’s a look at five of our favorite immune-boosting house plants.

Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has so many benefits that it is hard to name them all. This plant grows great indoors and can be used in juices, applied topically or used as an air scrubber. For best results, keep your plant in a warm area near natural light. Kitchen counters are a good option.

Plant in succulent soil that is fast draining, and water thoroughly when the soil is completely dry. The most common mistake when caring for an Aloe plant is overwatering or allowing it to sit in water.

Spider Plants
Spider Plants are especially good at scrubbing the air of carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde. By helping remove these toxins, they increase oxygen levels in a room, which improves a number of body functions.

Spider plants are easy to care for and thrive in almost any indoor conditions. They prefer bright-indirect light, but will do well in all conditions except direct sunlight. Water thoroughly through the summer and mist the leaves occasionally. Cut back on watering through the winter.

Snake Plants
Snake Plants are among the easiest of all house plants to care for. They decrease levels of formaldehyde which are found in many household products. Snake Plants have also been proven to help you sleep, making them great additions to your bedroom. They are very forgiving, and can go weeks without water or light and still thrive. For best results keep them in indirect light, and water only when the soil is completely dry.

Chrysanthemums
Similar to Aloe, Chrysanthemums have a variety of uses that will improve your overall well-being. They scrub the air of benzene, and the flowers can be used in teas.

Mums require a bit more care than some of the other plants on the list. They like direct sunlight and warmer temperatures. Keeping them in front of an east or west facing window will produce full blooms. Water the soil under the leaves as needed.

Warneck Dracaenas
Dracaenas are great air scrubbers and can improve the symptoms of asthma and allergies. They are low maintenance and prefer filtered light or semi-shade. A Dracaena’s growth will adjust depending on the amount of light received. The less light the plants get, the less water is needed. Mist the leaves and soil when dry.  

Other immune-boosting properties include; reduce stress and anxiety, absorb odors and molds, headache relief, improve mood, improve brain function, increase energy levels, boost healing, and lowing blood pressure.

Learn more about selecting house plants for healthy living. Visit your local English Gardens and talk with one of our experts for more information on caring for your plants.