The days are getting colder and the nights darker, and that's the perfect reason to decorate your home with a green plant or two.
But besides beauty, some plants can prevent the appearance of toxic mold on ceilings, walls, and windows, and remove other harmful elements from the air.
Mold thrives in damp, unsanitary environments. When the cold autumn air makes window panes colder than the inside, moisture quickly builds up and can become an ideal breeding ground for mold, which not only looks bad but can also cause serious health problems.
How can plants help?
Chris Bonnett from Gardening Express tells the Daily Mail:
"There are ways to control humidity and prevent condensation from building up. If your windows are steaming up, you need to lower the humidity level in your home, and plants can help a lot."
Expert Connor Towning from Beards & Daisies adds:
“Some plants have the ability to absorb moisture from the air, reducing the chance of condensation and mold formation. Their leaves absorb the water, which then flows down to the roots — a process known as foliar uptake.”
He suggests placing plants in the most humid places, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms, to maximize the effect.
In addition to preventing mold, plants are great for improving indoor air quality. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, creating a healthier atmosphere and improving the mood of residents.
The best plants for home and health
1. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum))
A plant with green leaves and white “flowers” that absorbs moisture and helps regulate air levels. It filters common toxins like benzene and formaldehyde and relieves allergy symptoms.
⚠️ Toxic to cats and dogs.
💧 Watering every 1-2 weeks, ideal location near an east window.
2. Hedera helix (English Ivy / Dafin English)
Excellent for reducing mold and improving air quality. Helps people with mild asthma.
⚠️ Toxic to pets and may irritate skin.
💧 Water every 9 days or when the top inch of soil dries out, placed in a cool place with medium light.
3. Sword fern (Boston fern / Nephrolepis exaltata)
It has large, pendulous leaves, ideal for humid environments. It filters formaldehyde and xylene, and increases natural humidity.
💧 Water every 7 days or when the top 2 cm of soil dries out. Ideal location: kitchen or living room.
4. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Very good for absorbing moisture and filtering air. Non-toxic to animals.
💧 Water once a week. Enjoys humid places like bathrooms or kitchens.
5. Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Helps balance moisture and filter out common toxins. Safe for pets.
💧 Water once a week during the summer, less often in the winter. Ideal location: kitchen or warm room with indirect light.
6. Snake plant (Sansevieria / “Mother of the Man”)
Strong and suitable for humidity. Absorbs moisture through the leaves and increases oxygen.
💧 Water every 2-3 weeks in summer, once a month in winter. Prefers indirect light and a warm place above 10°C.
7. Asplenium nidus 'Crispy Wave'
With beautiful wavy leaves, it filters toxins and helps balance humidity. Ideal for bathrooms, kitchens or dark rooms.
💧 Watering 1-2 times a week, slightly moist soil.
How dangerous is mold in the home?
More than 6 million homes in England could have mold. Toxic black mold can cause respiratory problems, allergies, asthma and infections that can be fatal.
One tragic case was that of toddler Awaab Ishak, 2, who died due to prolonged exposure to mold in his home in Rochdale, December 2020.
Experts emphasize that the only definitive solution is to find the cause of the moisture and treat it urgently. In the case of tenants, the landlord has a legal obligation to eliminate the source of the moisture. /GazetaExpress/
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