8 Indoor Plants That Will Help Keep Your Home Cool
Don't go for good looks alone, choose plants that help cool the air inside your house this summer
Carol Bucknell
4 December 2022
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. Journalist who lives in Auckland and specialises in writing about gardens, houses and design. Author of two books on garden design: Contemporary gardens of New Zealand and Big Ideas for Small Gardens both published by Penguin. I also design gardens and am a passionate gardener. Currently I write the garden pages for New Zealand magazine Your Home & Garden and contribute to NZ Gardener and NZ House & Garden magazines.
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. Journalist who lives in Auckland and specialises... More
Hot summers put the demand for artificial cooling and air conditioning into overdrive, but there’s a natural alternative for beating the heat – growing indoor plants. That’s right, many house plants will absorb warm air and release oxygen and cool moisture into the air via the transpiration process. Plants act in a similar way to how humans sweat; when the air around people and plants heats up, they both release excess water into the air from skin or leaves to cool themselves and the atmosphere around them, even if only by a slight degree.
Some plants will also help flush out carbon dioxide and toxins from the atmosphere at the same time. All this and they’ll beautify the plainest of interiors for not much money. Here are eight of the best to look for.
Is your home calling out for a fresh look? Find interior designers near you, browse images of their projects and read reviews from previous clients
Is your home calling out for a fresh look? Find interior designers near you, browse images of their projects and read reviews from previous clients
1. Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
Renowned for its medicinal benefits, particularly for skin issues such as insect bites and burns, this amazing succulent has many other valuable qualities. The high water content in its leaves means that when it transpires it releases cool evaporated moisture into the air.
Because it also absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at night, keeping an aloe vera plant in the bedroom can help you sleep better. Another reason for putting aloe vera at the top of the list? Scientists say that it helps remove formaldehyde and benzene from the air too.
Tip: Plants prefer a reasonable amount of sun with regular watering in the warmer months, but very little moisture during winter.
Renowned for its medicinal benefits, particularly for skin issues such as insect bites and burns, this amazing succulent has many other valuable qualities. The high water content in its leaves means that when it transpires it releases cool evaporated moisture into the air.
Because it also absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at night, keeping an aloe vera plant in the bedroom can help you sleep better. Another reason for putting aloe vera at the top of the list? Scientists say that it helps remove formaldehyde and benzene from the air too.
Tip: Plants prefer a reasonable amount of sun with regular watering in the warmer months, but very little moisture during winter.
2. Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
This small palm, native to Mexico and Central America, rarely reaches two metres and its large leaves mean it can act as an excellent air humidifier. Bamboo palm is also very good at filtering out benzene and trichloroethylene from the atmosphere.
Another small indoor palm tree that is highly rated for its air humidifying and purifying abilities is the areca (Dypsis lutescens). A mature tree will transpire nearly a litre of evaporated moisture per day.
Tip: Grow in bright, indirect light and keep leaves misted during hot weather.
This small palm, native to Mexico and Central America, rarely reaches two metres and its large leaves mean it can act as an excellent air humidifier. Bamboo palm is also very good at filtering out benzene and trichloroethylene from the atmosphere.
Another small indoor palm tree that is highly rated for its air humidifying and purifying abilities is the areca (Dypsis lutescens). A mature tree will transpire nearly a litre of evaporated moisture per day.
Tip: Grow in bright, indirect light and keep leaves misted during hot weather.
3. Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
One of the few trees that grows well indoors in containers, weeping fig normally grows to about two to three metres when kept indoors (higher when planted outside in warm gardens). Its leafy nature means a high rate of transpiration, which keeps the air around a weeping fig moist and cool. It can also decontaminate the air by absorbing any heavy-metal particles that are present.
Tip: Position plants in medium light and water regularly during warmer months, allowing the top half of the potting mix to dry out in between.
One of the few trees that grows well indoors in containers, weeping fig normally grows to about two to three metres when kept indoors (higher when planted outside in warm gardens). Its leafy nature means a high rate of transpiration, which keeps the air around a weeping fig moist and cool. It can also decontaminate the air by absorbing any heavy-metal particles that are present.
Tip: Position plants in medium light and water regularly during warmer months, allowing the top half of the potting mix to dry out in between.
4. Mother-in-law’s tongue/snakeskin (Sansevieria trifasciata)
As well as releasing oxygen during the night to refresh the atmosphere, this sculptural succulent is rated by NASA as one of the best plants for removing indoor pollutants such as benzene and formaldehyde.
Tip: Position in full-sun or part-shade, water moderately during spring and summer but keep soil reasonably dry during winter.
Browse more bathrooms adorned with indoor plants
As well as releasing oxygen during the night to refresh the atmosphere, this sculptural succulent is rated by NASA as one of the best plants for removing indoor pollutants such as benzene and formaldehyde.
Tip: Position in full-sun or part-shade, water moderately during spring and summer but keep soil reasonably dry during winter.
Browse more bathrooms adorned with indoor plants
5. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
The more leaf area a plant has, the higher the amount of oxygen and moisture it releases during transpiration. The lush leaves of the peace lily, especially the larger types, are therefore invaluable for helping cool the air in a room. Scientists from NASA, the University of Technology Sydney and elsewhere also rate the peace lily highly in their studies of plants that can reduce toxins in buildings.
Tip: Position plants in indirect light and keep room temperature above 12° celsius. Water regularly (less in winter) and mist leaves often if the air is dry.
The more leaf area a plant has, the higher the amount of oxygen and moisture it releases during transpiration. The lush leaves of the peace lily, especially the larger types, are therefore invaluable for helping cool the air in a room. Scientists from NASA, the University of Technology Sydney and elsewhere also rate the peace lily highly in their studies of plants that can reduce toxins in buildings.
Tip: Position plants in indirect light and keep room temperature above 12° celsius. Water regularly (less in winter) and mist leaves often if the air is dry.
6. Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Many ferns act as natural air humidifiers and the Boston fern is one of the best. It’s also a very good air purifier and on the list of plants that scientists have singled out for their ability to clean the air of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as formaldehyde and benzene.
Tip: Like most ferns, it does better in filtered light so avoid sunny spots. Early-morning winter light is ideal. Ferns dislike dry air so if your place is heated, make sure you mist your Boston fern regularly.
Many ferns act as natural air humidifiers and the Boston fern is one of the best. It’s also a very good air purifier and on the list of plants that scientists have singled out for their ability to clean the air of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as formaldehyde and benzene.
Tip: Like most ferns, it does better in filtered light so avoid sunny spots. Early-morning winter light is ideal. Ferns dislike dry air so if your place is heated, make sure you mist your Boston fern regularly.
7. Devil’s ivy, money plant, golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
With its lush mass of large, heart- shaped leaves, this evergreen vine from French Polynesia is an ideal air humidifier. It also gets the big tick from scientists for removing indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and carbon monoxide.
One of the most popular indoor plants due to its tolerance of low light and minimal water, devil’s ivy has many cultivars with a variety of different leaf variegations.
Two downsides of devil’s ivy are that its leaves are toxic and in some tropical environments it’s highly invasive.
Tip: Grow devil’s ivy in a bright or shaded spot, but keep it out of direct sunlight. This plant can be propagated by submerging the end of a cutting in water for a fortnight while roots form.
With its lush mass of large, heart- shaped leaves, this evergreen vine from French Polynesia is an ideal air humidifier. It also gets the big tick from scientists for removing indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and carbon monoxide.
One of the most popular indoor plants due to its tolerance of low light and minimal water, devil’s ivy has many cultivars with a variety of different leaf variegations.
Two downsides of devil’s ivy are that its leaves are toxic and in some tropical environments it’s highly invasive.
Tip: Grow devil’s ivy in a bright or shaded spot, but keep it out of direct sunlight. This plant can be propagated by submerging the end of a cutting in water for a fortnight while roots form.
8. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Making a comeback after many years in the style wilderness, the spider plant is deservedly popular with newbie plant lovers, as it’s one of the easiest plants to grow. And as with the other plants featured in this story, it will not only help cool the air in your home, it will also absorb some of the toxins present as well.
Tip: Happy in bright filtered light or semi-shade, spider plant needs a well-drained potting mix and regular watering in the warmer months. Mature plants produce tiny plantlets on the ends of stems that can be cut off and potted up to create new plants very easily.
Your turn
If you enjoyed this story, like it, share it, save the images and tell us your thoughts in the Comments below.
More
Keen to turn the indoor greenery up a notch? Read An Architect Reveals: 5 Reasons You Need a Greenwall
Making a comeback after many years in the style wilderness, the spider plant is deservedly popular with newbie plant lovers, as it’s one of the easiest plants to grow. And as with the other plants featured in this story, it will not only help cool the air in your home, it will also absorb some of the toxins present as well.
Tip: Happy in bright filtered light or semi-shade, spider plant needs a well-drained potting mix and regular watering in the warmer months. Mature plants produce tiny plantlets on the ends of stems that can be cut off and potted up to create new plants very easily.
Your turn
If you enjoyed this story, like it, share it, save the images and tell us your thoughts in the Comments below.
More
Keen to turn the indoor greenery up a notch? Read An Architect Reveals: 5 Reasons You Need a Greenwall
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I have houseplants instead of pets; I love them but, given the current cost of heating my house, I'm kind of wishing I hadn't just read that they help to cool the air!
Thank you for this informative article. Yes, I am certain I need another plant or 6💝🌺👌
I’ve loved houseplants. Some I’ve had over 20 years. They bring the outside in. Couldn’t live without them.