Seven health-boosting house plants that will clean the air in your home - and can help prevent deadly mould
The days are getting greyer and the nights are getting darker, making it the perfect excuse to brighten up your home with a plant or two. And, if you choose your new leafy friend wisely, it could help prevent toxic mould forming on your ceilings, walls and windows, as well as remove other deadly elements from the air. Mould thrives in damp and humid conditions; so when the chill autumn air makes the exterior of windows colder than they are indoors, it doesn't take long for condensation to form. Untreated condensation can quickly turn into a mould hotspot, which not only looks unsightly, but can also cause an array of health problems, some of which can be life-threatening.This is where plants can help, explains Chris Bonnett from Gardening Express. He told the Daily Mail: 'The good news is there are ways to control this and prevent condensation forming in the first place.'If your windows are particularly steamy, it means you need to bring down the moisture levels in your homes and plants can help do this.'Certain plants are a great natural solution to help balance humidity in the home and they look great too.' House plants can brighten your interiors and protect you against deadly spores
Connor Towning, a plant expert at Beards & Daisies, agrees, telling the Daily Mail that some plants have an ability 'to absorb moisture' from the air which can help to reduce the likelihood of condensation - and mould.Their leaves absorb water, he explained, which travels down the stem to the roots. This is a process scientifically known as foliar uptake.He said: 'This can help lower indoor humidity levels, one of the main triggers for mould growth. 'To get the most out of your plants, place them in areas prone to dampness, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry/utility rooms.'But mould-zapping isn't the only way that houseplants can help make our homes healthier. Plants use a process called photosynthesis to use sunlight to create their own food. To achieve this, they absorb carbon dioxide - which humans breathe out as a waste product - and emit oxygen, which we need to stay alive. By filling our homes with plants, we are able to benefit from the fresh oxygen they are pumping into our living space - as well as get a mood-boost from admiring their glossy green foliage. With this in mind, the Daily Mail asked the experts for the best indoor plants which can help prevent mould during the colder months and boost our health, all year round.Peace lily The Peace Lily, Mr Towning explained, can help reduce mould by absorbing moistureThe peace lily, also known as a spathiphyllum, is known for its glossy green leaves and white 'flowers' - although they are actually just a type of leaf.It is the plant's green leaves which absorb moisture and help regulate humidity levels in a room.Mr Towning said: 'Peace lilies help keep indoor air clean and reduce mould by absorbing moisture.'They're also effective at filtering out common toxins like benzene and formaldehyde and can ease mild allergy symptoms.'But he warned: 'Keep in mind, they're toxic to cats and dogs if eaten so these aren't ideal for pet owners, unless kept high up on shelves.' This plant which typically costs around £15, should be kept in bright but indirect sunlight, and only needs to be watered every one-to-two weeks.The best room for this plant is one with an east-facing window.English ivy Ivy doesn't just thrive on crumbling stone walls, it likes the indoor life, too You may have seen English ivy hanging over old stone walls, but it can also be kept in the home, and it is pretty low maintenance.The plant, also known as hedera helix, 'is excellent at lowering airborne mould and improving air quality,' said Mr Towning.'It can be especially helpful for people with mild asthma or respiratory sensitivity too. However, it's toxic to pets.'If you opt to add this plant - which tends to cost around £8-a-pot - to your home, it should be handled with care. He added that 'its sap can irritate human skin'. English ivy is happiest in a cool spot, medium light spot, such as the bedroom and should be watered every nine days, or when the top inch of soil feels dry to touch. Keep it out of direct sunlight as the leaves can scorch easily.Sword fern The third plant they recommended is a sword fern plant which thrives in humid roomsThis plant, also known has the Boston fern or nephrolepis exaltata, has large feathery leaves that arch and hang in a way that gives it a fountain appearance. 'Boston ferns thrive in humid areas, which makes them great at keeping mould in check,' said Mr Towning.'They also filter pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene while naturally adding humidity to the air.'He added: 'They are generally safe for humans, though pets may get minor digestive upset if they nibble on it.' This plant thrives when it is placed somewhere humid and where it can get bright, indirect sunlight.It can get thirsty, so it needs to be watered every seven days or when the top one-to-two inches of soil feel dry to the touch.The sword fern which typically costs around £5 is most happy in a warmer room which could be the kitchen or a living room that's heated.Spider plant The spider plant is a good option for pet owners as it's non-toxic to cats and dogsThe fourth plant, also known as chlorophytum comosum gets its common name from its spider-like appearance.'Spider plants are really great at absorbing moisture and filtering indoor air, which helps reduce mould growth this time of year,' said Mr Towning.'They remove pollutants and are very easy to care for.' Previously studies have shown spider plants can remove carbon dioxide, benzene and even cigarette smoke.This plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs, 'making them a safe choice for homes with pets', said Mr Towning. It can grow without humidity, but the plant - which tends to cost around £7 - thrives best in a humid spot like the bathroom or in the kitchen.A spider plant only needs a light watering once a week during its growing season in the spring and summer and can be watered less often the rest of the year.Areca palm The fifth plant they recommended was the tall Areca palm which is happiest in a warm roomThis tall slender plant, also known as dypsis lutescens, has arching stems and feather-shaped leaves.'Areca palms help balance indoor humidity, reducing the risk of mould in damp areas. They also filter common indoor toxins and are safe for pets.'They thrive in bright, indirect light and prefer regular watering to keep the soil lightly moist. 'Additional benefits include supporting respiratory comfort, helping prevent dry skin and irritation, and promoting a healthier indoor environment overall.' Its leaves can scorch in too much sunlight, so it is happiest living in a warm room where it can get bright, indirect sunlight like a kitchen.The plant should be watered once a week or when the top layer feels dry in summer, but less frequently in winter. You can pick up an areca palm for as little as £9 online. Snake plant The snake plant, he explained, grows best in bright light but can grow 'just fine' in low lightNative to tropical West Africa, snake plants have long, upright leaves and is also known as 'Mother-in-law's Tongue'.Chris Bonnett, of Gardening Express said: 'This hardy and adaptable plant is another mould loving plant.'It absorbs moisture through its leaves which will then travel through their roots.'It grows best in bright light but also grows just fine in low light. They love warm temperatures.' Snake plants - which can cost between £10 and £50 - are low maintenance, only needing watering every two to three weeks in summer and once a month in winter.It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight, so would be happiest in a warm spot with temperatures above 10 degrees C.But it is at its happiest when it is in dry conditions, so it would thrive well in a living room rather than a bathroom.Asplenium nidus 'Crispy Wave' The final plant they recommended was one that has an almost lettuce-like appearanceThis intriguing plant is native to tropical southeastern Asia, and has ruffled, wavy leaves which look a bit like lettuce.'It is a powerful natural air purifier, filtering toxins and pollutants while thriving in indirect sunlight,' said a spokesman for Plant & Flowers Foundation Holland.'Its uniquely curled fonds don't just look beautiful; they help balance humidity and promote a fresher, healthier atmosphere.'Perfect for bathrooms or shaded corners, it's a low-maintenance plant that combines sculptural style with real air-cleansing benefits.'The Asplenuim nidus 'Crispy Wave' - which tends to cost between £5 and £30 - thrives in humid rooms like a bathroom, kitchen or utility room. It should be watered once or twice a week, lightly, to ensure that the soil is just slightly moist to avoid drowning the roots.How dangerous is mould in the home? If you invest in a plant it could help prevent mould in your home, experts have told the Daily MailIt is estimated that more than six million homes in England could be harbouring mould. Highly toxic black mould can also appear dark green, dark grey, or orange with white flecks.It can cause respiratory problems, allergies and asthma as well as infections which can prove fatal.Tragically at just two-years-old, little Awaab Ishak, died from prolonged exposure to mould at his home in Rochdale in December 2020.Experts say the only real way to get rid of mould is to find the underlying issue and act urgently to fix it.If you are renting, your landlord is legally required to establish the source of the damp, or they could face prosecution.
