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Decor Tips: Bring Your Living Room to Life With These 7 House Plants

Published by Clive Braude on 8th Mar 2016

Are you thinking of adding some life to your décor? Perhaps you've recently decorated and feel there is something missing? It may be time to get rid of those old fake silk plants that attract dust mites and create a breath of fresh air. Houseplants are sure to add beauty and colour to your living room. Aside from their aesthetic appeal, these living organisms are actually known to enhance the quality of life. They not only add oxygen and purify the air, plant-filtered rooms have 50-60 per cent less airborne microbes like mold spores and bacteria, etc. And did you know houseplants in hospital rooms have been known to speed recovery rates of surgical patients compared to patients in rooms without plants? According to researchers at Kansas State University, patients with plants nearby, require less medication, experience less fatigue and have lower heart rates and blood pressure. Here are a list of 7 beautiful houseplants that require low maintenance and could potentially provide you with good health and wellness.

Aloe (Aloe Vera)

This sun-loving plant has a number of healing properties, including providing soothing relief for burns on the skin and detoxifying the body. It also is beneficial in monitoring the air quality in your home – this plant can help clear the air of pollutants found in chemical cleaning products. If the plant starts turning brown, it's a sure sign that the amount of harmful chemicals in the air has become excessive and will clear the air of formaldehyde and benzene – the latter is a toxin found in cigarette smoke.

Bamboo Palm

One of the top clean-air purifying plants available, this attractive palm is effective at cleaning out benzene and trichloroethylene in the air. This plant seems to do best in indirect sun or shade and likes to be well watered.

Gerber Daisies

These colourful beauties are spectacular for brightening up any room and are known to remove benzene. Also beneficial in getting rid of trichloroethylene, which is found in inks, solvents and paint, this is the perfect plant if you have been painting or have a smoker in the house.

English Ivy

This hearty plant is listed number one in the best air-filtering houseplant and is most effective when it comes to absorbing formaldehyde. If you have pets, it's great for reducing airborne fecal-matter particles. It's also incredibly easy to grow and adaptable, does well in hanging baskets or as a floor plant.

Boston Fern

This attractive, lush fern is highly effective at removing chemicals and humidifying, but requires a bit more attention than the previous aforementioned plants. It should be misted regularly and is best grown in a hanging basket or on a pedestal.

Bromeliad

This long lasting plant grows almost like a pineapple and belongs to the bromeliaceae family. It produces pups or side shoots that will replace the original plant similar to the pineapple. While this plant is a welcome addition to any living room, be sure to keep this plant away from drafts.

Phalaenopsis Orchid

Native to tropical Asian countries like the Philippines, the phalaeonopsis orchid likes low light and thrives in humid areas. This delicate orchid thrives in humid areas and very forgiving as only needs watering every week or week and a half. This is a great plant for those who frequently travel and are unable to care for most houseplants.

So there you have it – 7 house plants that will help bring life, beauty and good health to you and your living space.