Houseplants have become especially popular this year as the coronavirus pandemic saw many Britons spend more time at home. Supermarkets, garden centres and even clothes shops have begun selling houseplants to keep up with the latest trend. While some people buy houseplants to solely decorate their homes, others invest in indoor plants to help tackle a common problem that most houses come across in the winter months.
It has become common knowledge that indoor plants can improve air quality in homes by absorbing toxins and releasing clean air.
However, plants can also help remove mould from rooms by releasing phytochemicals that suppress mould spores and bacteria.
In fact, rooms with plants have 40 to 60 percent fewer mould spores and bacteria.
Bathrooms, kitchens and rooms that suffer with humidity, damp, mildew or mould could benefit from houseplants.
These are the houseplants you should invest in to help remove mould from your home:
READ MORE: ‘Nightmare’ weed found in UK gardens costs thousands to remove
Peace Lily
The Peace Lily is a low maintenance plant with beautiful white flowers and large palm-like leaves.
Peace Lilies thrive in high humidity and love shade so a small bathroom with little sunlight is the perfect spot for them.
The Peace Lily removes airborne toxins and absorbs moisture through its leaves.
This beautiful plant can also help remove benzene, xylene, toluene and trichloroethylene.
English Ivy
English Ivy can be found in most gardens in the UK and it’s fairly simple to grow your own from a cutting if you can’t find any in a garden centre.
This climbing plant removes air-borne moulds and formeldahyde which can be found in indoor environments.
English Ivy does grow best in bright but indirect sunlight and needs a regular water so it may be best on a window sill where you’re less likely to forget about it.
Although pretty, English Ivy does come with a warning label as its leaves can be toxic to pets and can leave some people with a rash.
DON’T MISS
Christmas trees indoors can be toxic to pets and children [INSIGHT]
Prince Charles’ bizarre gardening habit shared as part of campaign [UPDATE]
Can you prune roses in November? [ANALYSIS]
Snake Plant
The Snake Plant has become a popular plant found in most Britons’ bathrooms.
Snake Plants are easy to look after as they don’t require regular watering and grow best in light rooms with warm temperatures.
Snake plants help remove mould from the air making them perfect for a damp room.
They are adaptable and won’t die if you miss a few waters.
It’s important to let plants’ soil dry between waterings as this can cause mould to develop on your house plant.
Spider plant
Spider Plants are known for their green leaves with a white stripe down the centre.
They are perfect for most rooms in the home and are easy to look after.
The Spider Plant can also reduce airborne toxins including mould and mildew.
Make sure not to over-water Spider Plants as their roots can rot.