Houseplants are not only visually appealing, but they also serve a practical purpose in your home. The kitchen is undeniably the hub of most households, but it’s also the room that endures the most wear and tear on a daily basis.
While preparing three meals a day for yourself and your loved ones brings about tasty food and unforgettable memories, cooking can also result in lingering odours that aren’t as pleasant as the meal itself. Despite the temptation to grab a chemical-laden air freshener, there’s actually a healthier and more natural way to eliminate unwanted smells and ensure clean air in your home – houseplants.
These specific plants not only purify the air in your home and banish any stubborn odours, but they also contribute to a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, and are aesthetically pleasing.
Experts from Wren Kitchens teamed up with Fantastic Gardeners to identify the best multitasking houseplants you can introduce into your kitchen that will add a pop of colour to your home while simultaneously working to keep it smelling fresh.
These six expert-endorsed plants are all relatively low maintenance, making them an ideal choice for those who don’t have the best track record when it comes to plant care.
First on the list for a breath of fresh air in your home is the English Ivy plant, hailed by specialists as a top pick for cleansing your indoor atmosphere.
“English ivy is easy to grow indoors and can add a beautiful splash of colour to any kitchen,” Radek Babicek from Fantastic Gardeners points out.
“This plant is one of the best ones to help reduce indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde benzene, which is a by-product of tobacco smoke, burning gas and open fires, as well as mould and bacteria” But beware if you have pets at home – this green beauty should be placed high up away from curious paws.
For those with a penchant for hanging greens, the aluminium plant comes highly recommended. Its eye-catching metallic and green foliage is a real showstopper in many kitchens.
However, it’s not too keen on temperature swings, so avoid placing it near windows. “Despite this, it’s still an easy plant to care for,” assures the gardening guru. “And its main appeal in the kitchen is its colouring. It’s also a good hanging plant, which will save you valuable counter space.”
And let’s not forget about the aloe vera plant, another champion in the air-purifying league according to experts. Beyond its toxin-battling prowess, there’s a practical reason to have this succulent close at hand in the kitchen.
“If you burn yourself, cut off a lower leaf near the stalk and rub the gel right on the burn,” advised the expert. “You’ll feel almost instant relief.”
Other top picks for your kitchen include the cast iron plant and the snake plant. These two are sure to make a bold statement, ideally placed on the floor due to their potential height.
The snake plant is particularly low-maintenance, with an expert noting, “they do their best when you neglect them, and they don’t need much watering or a lot of light,” making it an ideal choice for those hesitant about adding plant care to their chores.
Lastly, the experts suggest opting for a spider plant, renowned for its efficiency in eliminating “bad odours, fumes, and pollutants from the kitchen environment.”
This adaptable plant isn’t fussy about light or temperature conditions, making it a suitable addition to virtually any kitchen.
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