Huffington Magazine Issue 46 | Page 66

Exit HOME HUFFINGTON 04.28.13 Goodbye, Air Purifier. Hello, House Plants. BY CAROLYN GREGOIRE OUSE PLANTS are the ultimate in functional decorating. Some well-placed greenery can not only brighten a space, but also purify the air — plus, they’re helpful in creating a more relaxing, restful ambiance in any room. We know that spending time in nature is linked to reduced stress levels and relieves tension. In fact, in a 2008 study, Dutch research- MEDIACOLOR’S / ALAMY H ers found that hospital patients with indoor plants in their rooms reported lower stress levels than patients without them. That’s why we’ve rounded up 10 beautiful houseplants that are easy to take care of and effective at increasing oxygen and clearing out toxins for cleaner breathing air. (Some were even listed among the 10 best air-purifiers in a study of houseplants by NASA scientists). So try adding one to your bedroom or office space for a little dose of zen. Golden Pothos made NASA’s list of top 10 air-purifying plants.