It is so good to see house plants being fully appreciated again. They were very trendy in the 70s but seemed to go off the boil somewhat for quite a while. As well as being aesthetically rewarding, they are also being bringing balance with a dose of greenery to rooms but they are also air purifying in our homes which is pretty amazing.

Toxins can be found in certain paints, furniture and household products and these days are very difficult to avoid therefore anything natural that helps the oxygen that we breathe has to be a good thing.

For house plants to be really effective at cleaning the air, you’d need a fair amount, which gives me a great excuse to keep propagating and adding. But getting started is a great step.

I’ve organised a little plant get together here as you can see and have picked out some of my favourites to share.

Certainly one of my most loved – although picking just one is like choosing a favourite child. I find the shape and movement of the Snake Plant, also known as ‘Mother in Laws Tongue’ quite fascinating to look at. It has been proven by NASA along with some others to remove toxic pollutants and ideal for the bedroom. But the more the better. They propagate very easily so you could stat with one or two and soon have many around the home.

I should point out though that they are toxic to cats and dogs, as are many house plants so always checking this and where you place them.

Snake Plants are widely available and you will most likely find one at your local centre.

The plant that keeps on giving and asks for very little in return. Peace Lily’s really are a joy to have. They are low maintenance and require little light – in fact they prefer darker spaces so perfect for that space that requires some greenery in the corner. A couple of times a year they will develop beautiful white flowers that pop in the centre usually on a long stem. This one isn’t at that stage right now but still looks fresh and lovely.

They remove formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, ammonia and benzene which is a carcinogen from the air. In bathrooms they will help stop mildew.

Can you see why I love them ?

Such a fascinating one as it is constantly growing almost in front if your eyes. There will always be a new tiny leaf forming inside the most recently grown one and they make a fantastic statement. There are many different types of Rubber Plants all with their own character.

It will again remove harmful chemicals. I have several around our house and let me tell you, they get BIG. So be prepared to repot every so often. To get best out of them place on floor level with indirect sunlight.

An aesthetically pleasing presence in your home and really doesn’t need much attention.A water every now and then – and even if you forget sometimes it will be okay within reason. This is the ZZ Plant or its longer name is zamioculcas zamiifolia. This plant is excellent at getting rid of the toxins in the air including benzene.

I’d recommend these for newbie plant parents because it’ll be good to you and is super laid back.

I don’t know what it would take to upset a Pothos, nor would I want to find out. Because it is extremely loyal and grows lusciously and fast. When I say lusciously, I also mean long. The other name for Pothos is Devil’s Ivy. If you think of how an Ivy grows then that sums it up.

Best either in a wall planter so it can trail or against a wall so it can climb up. Very soon you’ll have your own version of a living wall and it looks very impressive. As they are so hardy, you won’t need to worry about them breaking.

In terms of cleaning the air, A Pothis is really effective and removes loads of different pollutants including trichloroethene, toluene and xylene.

A little taste of the tropics here with this beauty. It might be fooling us now with it’s size but they can get huge if repotted often enough. The leaves are pretty delicate and like paper so bear in mind for where you put them.

Although it would be natural to associate a Banana Plant with out doors, they Dwarf variety has been grown indoors for many years, I think since Victorian times. Perfect for conservatories ( Although they need to be kept warm in cooler months ) and they enjoy plenty of light and water. Repotting will be a common occurrence.

They are said to remove formaldehyde from the air.

I have several different palms. Such reliable house plants and many are purifying. You would be here all day if I shared them all so here is just the Cat Palm and this one is currently quite small and dainty but it will get much bigger if allowed. Although you may assume these are actually trees, they are more like bushes when living out doors as they don’t have a trunk.

Palm Plants when it comes to cleaning your air so I would recommend them for office spaces where there are a fair few people per room and to keep them at their best, they need a decent amount of light and in a room that isn’t draughty.

An extra tip is that I have noticed they are prone to mealybugs so keep an eye out for those and treat accordingly. As long as you look after them well, they will really benefit your home.

The Polka Dot might not be one of the largest house plants big but it is great for the environment. There are several different types. Some have pink and lighter greens  – all really pretty. Great for anyone who as well as wanting a beneficial plant, also loves a dash of colour.

They will sat happily and do their job, as long as you find the right space for them.

As well as being nice and simple to propagate, you can also grow them from seed. Good to know as house plant keeping can get expensive if you are develop a love for it and are adding regularly.

A very good plant if you are starting from scratch as it is extremely easy to care for and will be happy in low light or hanging in a basket.

As well as being used for medicinal purposes by professionals, it air purifies by removing formaldehyde and also absorbs indoor air pollutants such as toluene, formaldehyde, and hydrocarbons giving you a fresher indoors.

They can grow up to around 2 feet so this little guy has a way to go yet.

A pretty popular plant these days.. or should I say tree, as that is what it really is.

The Fiddle Leaf will clean the air more sufficiently with aerated soil. It helps to remove moulds from your home and fungus. All it asks for is a nice light spot. Maybe not full sunshine but definitely a bright room.

Its other trick is absorbing humidity so it really is good to have around. Plus it is a real stunner. The leaves are like giant green petals and these grown to full size in a matter of a few weeks. Definitely another of my favourites for sure.

There are many more house plants that will aid you in your home and I really do recommend falling a bit in love with them all. They are nice to nurture and bring a vast amount of good vibes in to our home. Don’t forget to give them a spritz and a clean every now and then as they love it.

If you’d like to know more then do sign up to my newsletter or check out my design services if you’re looking for some help with plant styling in your home or business. Have a lovely day.