Dracaena Plant And Allergies
For sensitive individuals, the Dracaena houseplant can help with those irritating chemical reactions. Its specialty is removing benzene from cigarette smoke and other household chemicals but it also removes formaldehyde, xylene, trichloroethylene.
The best part about this plant is it requires little attention and does quite well in drought conditions. This doesnt mean you dont need to water it.
You do, but less frequently .
You wont need to water every other day or on a regular schedule. It has a slightly different look than other indoor plants on our list.
If youre looking for taller, thinner option for a room, the Dracaena might be perfect.
A Few Tips How How To Help Your Indoor Plants Alleviate Your Allergies:
There are a few things you can do to help your houseplants improve your indoor air quality. Dust your houseplants regularly with mild soap and water, this allows them to remove toxins more efficiently. Vacuum regularly to keep dander, mold, and pollen at bay and you can even invest in a good air purifier to maximize results!
So, if you suffer from allergies, add one of these amazing houseplants to your home!
Keep in mind that there are plants that are great for improving indoor air quality but are still terrible for allergy sufferers as they have higher pollen counts. Plants you should avoid are:-Ferns
Areca Palm And Allergies
The Areca Palm ranked highly on NASAs list for its ability to remove formaldehyde, xylene, carbon monoxide, and toluene from the air. It can also humidify a room in dry winters or summers because it actively transpires moisture from its leaves.
The Areca Palm can outgrow its indoor home but smaller plants are perfect to use inside. A more mature palm can transpire up to 1 liter of water per day which keeps air fresh, moist, and makes it easier to breathe. For people with asthma, moist air is especially helpful.
The palm is originally from the tropics and that makes it an ideal for life inside. In most U.S. climates outdoor winter temperatures will kill the palm.
It prefers warmth and does well in medium sunlight areas, with or without shade
Ideally, Arecas like indirect light from the South.
A full-grown Areca Palm can be costly but buying a smaller plant is relatively affordable. I bought a smaller palm and it grew fairly quicklyalmost 10 in one year.
As they grow, Arecas should be pruned, otherwise, they can reach 7 feet tall.
If you purchase a smaller Areca Palm be prepared to report the plant every 1-2 years. As the plant grows the roots will need more space and nutrients. A larger plant requires a larger container and more soil.
Also Check: What To Take For Severe Allergies
Choose Indoor Plants Wisely
Make sure before you choose a plant to keep, you confirm it has hypoallergenic properties. Understand that allergies are simply your body fighting an unfamiliar invader. Tiny little bits of this and that floating unseen in the air. Once you choose some plants to keep, take good care of them, catering to their necessary balance of water and sunlight. Let the seasons change without impacting your health, and use plant life to detoxify the air in your home.
Editors’ Recommendations
Houseplants: Rhs Advises On Watering Techniques
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Online garden retailer Primrose has shared which air purifying plants can help to alleviate allergy symptoms. Research from Primrose revealed that while plants are the cause of hayfever, some houseplants can help reduce symptoms. NASA’s Clean Air Study has proven that plant-filtered indoor spaces can have up to 60 percent fewer airborne microbes.
Also Check: How To Treat Dust Mite Allergy
Which Houseplants Help With Allergies
In general, you want a plant with smooth, glossy leaves, so it won’t trap any allergen particles that might be floating around and let them build up. Most of these plants are also pleasantly low maintenance, for anyone concerned about the greenness of their thumbs , and don’t require too much light. After all, they were studied by NASA for their potential use in space travel.
Add plants to your household one at a time to make sure that they don’t accidentally trigger any allergies, and always make sure that the plant is safe for any furry members of your household who may welcome the new addition by trying to chew on it. For more details on caretaking, you can visit the Better Homes & Gardens plant encyclopedia, which we consulted during our research.
How To Prevent Indoor Plant Allergies
You can follow these steps to avoid allergies caused due to indoor plants.
How to get rid of mold on the soil?
Mold can cause allergies, and if you have mold on your plant soil, you need to get rid of that mold. Using the following steps can help you remove mold:
Dry the potting mix under direct sunlight Direct sunlight can harm the plant, so take it out of the pot and spread the soil on paper under a sunny spot. Mold grows in damp soil, and sun exposure will help remove the mold. You can also spray a baking soda solution on the soil.
Remove mold and spray fungicide Scrape the top layer of the soil out of the pot and discard it. You can remove the mold from the plant with a damp cloth and then spray fungicide to prevent further mold growth.
Repot the plant The ultimate way of getting rid of mold is to repot the plant with a fresh soil mix. Discard the old soil and clean the roots and stem of the plant. Spray a fungicide. Take a new pot and fresh soil mix and plant your houseplant inside it.
You May Like: Can Allergies Get Worse With Age
How Can A Plant Be Hypoallergenic
According to Dr. Sanjeev Jain, houseplants can filter the air as they produce oxygen however, if youre someone with seasonal or environmental allergies caused pollen, youll want to fill your home with non-flowering plants.
Non-flowering, low-pollen plants are often referred to as hypoallergenic plants since allergies to them are fairly uncommon. There are many, according to experts, which actually help remove harmful toxins from the air and increase humidity in your home.
Health Benefits Of Keeping Indoor Plants
Keeping indoor plants is popular for a reason. Most people enjoy having greenery around them at home or at work. Houseplants can be attractively incorporated into your interior decor. WIth people spending more and more time indoors, indoor plants can also have a number of health benefits.
- Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis, increasing the oxygen in indoor areas. This can have a positive effect on mood and even productivity.
- Caring for indoor plants may reduce stress and anxiety1.
- Some popular houseplants can absorb harmful chemicals in home air and even reduce levels of dust2.
Read Also: Is There A Difference Between Lactose Intolerance And Dairy Allergy
Indoor Houseplants That Improve Indoor Air Quality And Your Allergies
BENEFITS: Areca Palm is known to remove formaldehyde, xylene and toluene. It is also natural humidifier which improves nasal congestion and irritation.CARE: The Areca loves bright, indirect sunlight and temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also important to make sure the Areca Palm has adequate drainage.SAFETY: The Areca Palm has no known toxic properties making it safe to have in homes with children and pets.
BENEFITS: The Lady Palm is very similar to the Areca Palm in that it removes formaldehyde, xylene and toluene from the air in your home. It also removes ammonia making this a great houseplant for homes with cats.CARE: Place your Lady Palm near east facing windows with indirect light for the best growing. It is also good to repot the Lady Palm every two yearsSAFETY: The Lady Palm also had no known toxic properties.
BENEFITS: The Bamboo Palm converts carbon monoxide into oxygen. It also removes formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene.CARE: The Bamboo Palm prefers a lot of light but can also grow in low light condition. The Bamboo Palm does need adequate drainage and only water when the soil feels dry. When it is time to fertilize use a time release fertilizer.SAFETY: No known toxic properties are associated with the Bamboo Palm making it perfectly safe to have in your home if you have children and pets.
What House Plants Can Cause Allergies
Allergies are the result of a mistake by your immune system. It thinks that a perfectly harmless substance is dangerous, and when you encounter that substance your immune system sets off an allergic reaction. Antibodies are released, and they end up triggering a bunch of chemicals that cause your allergic symptoms.
When it comes to house plants, you’re more at risk for an allergic reaction if you’re allergic to mold than pollen. Often, the soil in potted plants, terrariums, dried flowers and Christmas trees retain moisture and harbor mold. If you’re allergic to mold and you breathe it in, you’ll end up with an allergic reaction. Pollen allergies are typically a response to airborne particles that grasses, trees and weeds release into the wind to fertilize other plants. Flowers are fertilized by insects, so they — and most leafy houseplants — don’t release pollen into the air that will trigger your allergies. Some of the few allergenic houseplants to look out for are weeping figs and flowering maples.
Don’t Miss: How Long Do Allergy Symptoms Last
So Are There Any Houseplants That Are Hypoallergenic
Even if you suffer from seasonal allergies and asthma, you may still enjoy some gardening. On the either side, plants can help purify the air inside your house and lessen your allergy exposure. Other hypoallergenic plants include margarita, peace lily, dracaena, mother-in-tongue, laws golden-green dill, hibiscus, and others.
Always select your houseplants carefully and introduce them to your living environment one at a time to avoid allergic responses. Also, when caring for the plants, dont forget to use gloves and spray the leaves with water regularly.
Can Indoor Plants Cause Allergies
When you have an allergic reaction to a plant, it means that your immune system is overreacting to exposure to an allergen released by the plant. The main allergens to consider when selecting plants are pollen and mold. When inhaled, these airborne pollutants can cause allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, red and watery eyes, and dry, scaling skin in sensitive individuals. If you are looking for a houseplant that is least likely to bring allergens into your home, consider the following:
- Some plants produce more pollen than others. If anyone in your household is sensitive to pollen, it is worth a few minutes of research to avoid bringing a major pollen-producer into your home.
- Plants with large, flat leaves can quickly accumulate dust, which can trigger allergy symptoms in some individuals.
- Consistently damp soil is more likely to grow mold. Choosing houseplants that do not have to be watered often can help prevent mold growth in plant pots.
- Adding aquarium rocks to the bottom of your plants pot can help drain the water from the soil and decrease the likelihood of mold growth.
- Houseplants can increase the relative humidity in a room, according to the CDC, which can promote mold growth. A dehumidifier can help counteract the increased humidity caused by plants.
Also Check: How Do You Treat Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Growing Houseplants For Allergy Relief
Houseplants for allergy sufferers have two advantages: some of them clean the air and none of them produce excess pollen to make allergies worse. Like all plants though, these varieties have the potential for making allergies worse if theyre not cared for correctly.
Every plant can be a dust catcher if you put it in a corner or on a shelf and never do anything but water it now and then. Wipe down the plant leaves with a damp paper towel once a week or so to prevent dust buildup.
Only water the soil in houseplants for allergies when the soil becomes dry to the touch, about the first inch or so . Excess water leads consistently damp soil and this can be the perfect environment for mold to grow.
Will Air Cleaning Devices Help
Air cleaning devices might help. But the best way to improve your air quality is to get rid of the sources of allergens and irritants from your home. Take measures to avoid and reduce your contact with allergens. Also increase the flow of outdoor air into your home and reduce humidity as much as possible.
Reducing humidity decreases dust mites and mold growth. Air conditioners help reduce humidity too. They can also prevent outdoor allergens. Keep your windows and doors closed. Turn your air conditioner on recirculate. These steps can help reduce outdoor allergens like pollen and mold.
Air cleaners with CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® filters can filter almost 98% of allergen particles in the air. Look for CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® devices.
Recommended Reading: Can Allergies Cause You To Lose Your Voice
Watch: The Five Indoor Plants In The Video Below All Thrive On Neglect
Not only can they make a space feel bright, fresh and stylish, but there are heaps of benefits to filling your home with indoor plants, too. While some indoor plants can purify the air, others such as aloe vera can even soothe sunburn or insect bites. Better yet, indoor plants can be good for your wellbeing, improve your mood and your creativity.
Weve also found four plants that may help soothe your allergies.
Can Your Pets Be Allergic To Indoor Plants
Even your pets can be allergic to indoor plants. Pollens can react the same way on your pets as they do on you.
If your pets inhale the pollens in the air or touch the pollens with their paws and touch their face with their paw, their immune system will consider the pollens as dangerous and overreact to it, causing allergies.
When it comes to the sap of the plants, pets can easily get exposed to it as they are curious and might touch and bite the plants that they come across.
The sap can affect the digestion of the plants, and you might notice issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, swelling, etc. If you find any peculiar behavior in your pets, take them to the vet immediately instead of trying to treat them on your own.
To avoid these issues, keep your pets away from your indoor plants.
Recommended Reading: Can You Take Cold And Flu Medicine With Allergy Medicine
Additional Considerations For Indoor Allergy Sufferers
In addition to air-purifying plants, there are other natural ways to combat your indoor allergies.
Simple steps like avoiding carpeting and ensuring proper ventilation will go a long way to reduce airborne allergens inside your home. You should also be sure to clean your home frequently, using non-toxic cleaners that do not give off volatile organic compounds . If you cannot fully avoid carpets, its best to vacuum regularly, at least once per week to keep dust mites under control.
If you have a serious allergy problem or an infestation from something like mold, you could consider purchasing a true HEPA air purifier . Air purifiers work by using an internal fan to pull air through filters to remove pollutants and allergens, such as mold spores, dust mites, viruses, bacteria and particulate matter. The filtration system is key, and youll want to invest in a machine that has a true HEPA filter, which can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in size. This is the absolute gold standard in air purifiers.
Do Indoor Plants Cause Allergies And If So Which Are The Worst Indoor Plants For Allergies
Playing Devils Advocate for the sake of completeness in this post, yes, unfortunately there are some house plants that cause allergies. These include orchids, marigolds, chrysanthemums, African violets , bonsai trees of the juniper or cedar variety, and fig trees. In fact, fig trees are some of the worst plants for allergies as fig tree leaves give off a sap that includes latex in its chemical makeup. So extremely bad news for latex allergy sufferers.
Read Also: What Type Of Humidifier Is Best For Allergies
Can House Plants Cause Allergies
In this article, I will tell you about what can house plant causes allergies? If you have allergies to houseplants, respiratory infections, including pollen from all indoor plants, maybe the cause.
A runny nose, itchy eyes, and even asthma are common side effects. However, identifying common houseplant allergies can be tricky because there are so many different types of indoor allergens.
The Benefits Of Hypoallergenic Plants For Your Home
By Ashley Ess in Thinking Sustainably
Are you ready to infuse your home with some color and cleaner air as we head toward the cooler winter months? Adding hypoallergenic plants will do wonders for your aesthetic and respiratory needs. Its easy to find indoor plants that will add beauty to your home or office space, but beauty doesnt always mean allergy-friendly. Thus, its important to consider allergy relief benefits when youre decorating with plants.
You May Like: What’s The Difference Between A Cold And Allergy Symptoms
Favorite Air Purifying Plant For The Bedroom
Bedroom plants can be chosen based on the amount of space you have and your design preferences. If you dont have much space try a tall thin plant like the Areca Palm or the Dracaena.
Both of these plants can be placed in a corner of the room and have minimal outward growth.
If you dont have space on the floor, using a shelf or desk will suffice. In this case, youd want a smaller option that wont get in the way. Below are a few of my recommendations:
