Asthma and Greenery: Classifications, Advantages, and Pointers
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People with asthma and allergies can find relief in certain indoor plants that improve air quality and produce minimal pollen. Here are some recommendations for creating an asthma-friendly home environment.
Best Indoor Plants for Asthma and Allergy Sufferers
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): This plant is highly recommended due to its air-purifying properties, ability to remove toxic pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene, and minimal pollen production. It even produces oxygen at night, making it an ideal choice for asthma sufferers.
- Devil's Ivy / Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): This plant purifies air by removing toxins without releasing allergens and thrives even in low light. It is easy to care for and poses little risk for asthma or allergies.
- Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens): Known for its air-humidifying properties, the areca palm adds moisture to the air, helping prevent airway dryness, a common irritant for asthma. It also helps clear formaldehyde and other toxins while being safe for pets.
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii): Effective at removing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and purifying air, but it can be toxic to humans and pets, so caution is advised if you have children or pets. It generally produces low pollen but should be handled carefully in sensitive environments.
- Azalea (Rhododendron spp.) and Orchids: These flowering plants are considered safer choices for asthma sufferers compared to other pollen-producing flowers. They produce low allergenic pollen and add aesthetic value without aggravating asthma.
Other pet-safe, air-purifying plants that can be safe for allergy and asthma sufferers include Spider Plant, Bamboo Palm, Money Tree, Gerbera Daisies, and Boston Fern. However, it's essential to verify individual sensitivities as flowers like Gerbera Daisies do produce some pollen but are noted for air purifying qualities and pet safety.
Key Considerations
- Choose plants with minimal pollen to reduce allergenic load.
- Prefer plants that filter harmful indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and VOCs which can exacerbate asthma.
- Opt for plants that increase indoor humidity (like Areca Palm) since dry air often worsens asthma symptoms.
- Be cautious with plants toxic to pets or small children if applicable (e.g., Peace Lily).
Additional Tips for an Asthma-Friendly Home
- Avoid strong-smelling plants in an asthma-friendly outdoor space.
- Not bringing pollinating plants into the home is recommended to keep them safe for asthma.
- Gardening in the morning and on low wind days is better for people with asthma.
- Weeding frequently is important in an asthma-friendly outdoor space.
- Keeping heating and cooling systems clean and free of dust is important for people with asthma.
- Using an air filter to help clean the air is a good idea for people with asthma.
- Making a compost heap should be avoided in an asthma-friendly outdoor space.
- Discussing plant options with a local botanist or expert is recommended for creating an asthma-friendly outdoor space.
- Researchers noted that while indoor plants can help remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from the air in an enclosed chamber, a person would need around 10 plants per square foot to clean the air at home suitably.
- Avoiding smoking in the house is important for people with asthma.
- Choosing plants native to the area is a good idea for an asthma-friendly outdoor space.
- Making sure wood-burning furnaces and fireplaces are well-ventilated and not leaking smoke into the house is important for people with asthma.
- Dust and dust mites are common asthma triggers and can be cleaned with a damp cloth.
- Pollutants, such as smoke, perfumes, air fresheners, and other chemicals that become airborne, can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms.
- People with asthma may want to avoid grasses and rye grasses in their outdoor garden.
- Pollen may come in through windows, doors, or on people's clothing and can trigger asthma symptoms.
- Replacing some or all of the lawn with nongrass features is a good idea for an asthma-friendly outdoor space.
- Cleaning dust off leaves with a damp cloth is important for keeping plants safe for asthma in the home.
- Avoiding overwatering plants to prevent mold development is important for keeping plants safe for asthma in the home.
Sources: [1] NASA Clean Air Study (1989) [2] Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America [3] American Lung Association [4] Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [5] European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF)
- The snake plant, Sansevieria trifasciata, is beneficial for asthma and allergy sufferers due to its minimal pollen production and ability to remove toxic pollutants.
- Devil's Ivy, or Epipremnum aureum, is a pet-safe plant that purifies air without producing allergens, thriving even in low light.
- Areca palm trees are effective at humidifying indoor air, helping alleviate dryness that triggers asthma symptoms.
- Peace lilies can purify air but are toxic to pets and humans, so caution is essential in sensitive environments.
- Azaleas and orchids produce less allergenic pollen than other flowers, making them safer options for asthma sufferers.
- Other safe, air-purifying plants for asthma sufferers include the spider plant, bamboo palm, money tree, gerbera daisies, and Boston fern.
- Choose plants with minimal pollen to lessen the allergenic load in your home.
- Select plants that filter harmful indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and VOCs, as they can exacerbate asthma symptoms.
- Opt for plants that increase indoor humidity, like the Areca palm, as dry air often aggravates asthma symptoms.
- Be cautious with toxic plants for pets or small children, such as the Peace Lily.
- Strong-smelling plants should be avoided in an asthma-friendly outdoor space.
- Keeping windows shut, weeding frequently, and maintaining clean heating and cooling systems can create an asthma-friendly outdoor space.
- Using air filters can help clean the air in a home containing asthma sufferers.
- Making a compost heap should be avoided in an asthma-friendly outdoor space due to potential pollutants and allergens.
- Researchers suggest around 10 plants per square foot are needed to clean the air at home properly.
- Avoid smoking in the house and ensure wood-burning furnaces and fireplaces are well-ventilated to reduce asthma triggers.
- Dust and dust mites are common asthma triggers, which can be minimized by cleaning with a damp cloth and ensuring proper plant maintenance, staying vigilant about mold development, and avoiding overwatering plants.
