Jonathan
If you’re looking for a natural, inexpensive way to keep your home cool, consider adding plants to your home. These six houseplants can help keep temperatures down — the perfect solution for those hot summer days!
In the summer, it is tempting to turn on the air conditioner to stay cool. But keep in mind that this use of energy can be much more costly than the environmentally alternative: using plants to keep the temperature down in your house.
You may have a few pots around your house for aesthetic purposes. Depending on the type of plant you choose, you may also want to consider adding certain plants that can not only help keep your home clean and cool but also help flush out chemicals and toxins.
To “purify the air,” plants release water vapor from their leaves, which cools the air around them. Plants are known for their ability to rid the environment of harmful pollutants. In fact, they remove so much carbon dioxide that they actually cool the air around them, leaving it purified and fresh.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to cool down your house, consider planting some of these air-cleaning plants on the next page.
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a popular plant used for medicinal purposes. The gel form of the plant can be used in various skin treatments but it’s often better to buy it as an oil, rather than direct from the plant.
An aloe vera plant is a great addition to any household.
When it’s time to take a break from the heat, you can always spritz some aloe vera juice on your skin. This plant has many functions, ranging from fighting overheating to fighting airborne pollutants.
2. Areca Palm Tree
Among the most popular houseplants is the areca palm tree, an ornamental houseplant that is a great humidifier and removes formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air. This houseplant sells for around $40 at Home Depot.
Some varieties have even been known to absorb excess humidity, keeping your home at a comfortable temperature during the hot summer months.
3. Ficus Tree
The ficus tree, also known as the weeping fig, is a natural air conditioner. It’s able to filter and absorb harmful gases from the air such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide.
The ficus tree is an excellent air-purifying tree and helps reduce air pollution and improve air quality.
4. Fern
This fern (as Chinese money plant — a popular houseplant in Asia), like aloe vera, is known for its ability to clean formaldehyde out of the air. The species is also known for its cool and humid air-purifying properties.
As one of NASA’s favorite plants, it’s widely used in commercial air-purifying products and also used in NASA’s growth chambers to help control humidity.
5. Snake Plant
The snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) is also known as the mother-in-law’s tongue. It has a very interesting life cycle; it gets sunlight during the day, stores carbon dioxide, and releases oxygen at night. NASA recommends it for purifying the air in your home, as well as helping you sleep better.
The snake plant is a great choice because it helps to dissolve excess water in your home and improve indoor air quality.
6. Golden Pothos
The golden pothos is a great indoor plant that will thrive in little light and little care. It will be perfect for those who don’t have time to take care of their plants. Once you buy it, you can get it in a 6-inch pot at Home Depot for about $15.
The Golden Pothos Plant is a phenomenal houseplant that will quickly grow into more and more space until it can take over your entire apartment. It requires little maintenance, and easily stands up to moisture, heat, UV rays, and even drought.
