HEALTH GIVING INDOOR PLANTS

I have used spider plants, fig, peace lilies and ivy in my home.  Need to monitor moulds growing on top soil of pot and clean dust off leaves.

Tip: Rub leaves with inside of banana skin for shine and then wipe off residue.

Plants for Health

Dragon tree;  ivy;  ficus (fig);  philodendrons;  spider plant;  peace lilies;  ferns;  rubber trees/plants and palms. 

Some houseplants are 'healthier' than others. These plants also absorb potentially harmful chemicals from the air. These chemicals include those found in paints, varnishes and dry cleaning fluids; car exhaust fumes; and tobacco smoke. The plants themselves are not harmed in this absorption process, and providing they are looked after in the normal way, can continue to absorb chemicals as they continue to grow. All the plants listed here are comparatively easy to look after, particularly the chrysanthemums, ivy and dracaena.

All indoor plants benefit from a brightly lit position out of direct sunlight and draughts. The above plants appreciate a regular misting of lukewarm water to prevent drying leaf tips, to clean the leaves and to keep the plants breathing well.

For more information on houseplants' abilities to absorb chemicals and create a healthy indoor environment:

http://www.wolvertonenvironmental.com./ 

http://www.naturalnews.com/022796.html

http://www.houseofplants.co.uk/healthbenefits.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoor_air_quality

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/top-ten-houseplants-for-cleaner-air.html

http://www.houseofplants.co.uk/healthbenefits.html

Another side of the debate is covered here by some research about VOCs emitted by snake plants (mother-in-law's tongue), weeping fig etc, and the plastic of the pots they sit in:

http://www.gizmag.com/indoor-plants-emit-volatile-organic-compunds/12761/