Huffington Magazine Issue 46 | Page 67

Exit HUFFINGTON 04.28.13 HOME ALOE PLANT SHUTTERSTOCK / PEKKA NIKONEN (SNAKE PLANT); ALBERTO POMARES/GETTY IMAGES (ALOE PLANT); L YNNE BROTCHIE/GETTY IMAGES (PEACE LILY); ALEXANDER WALTER/GETTY IMAGES (RUBBER TREE); GETTY IMAGES/IMAGE SOURCE (ENGLISH IVY) The gel of the aloe plant has a number of healing properties, from soothing skin burns and cuts to detoxing the body, and it can also monitor the air quality in your home. The plant can help clear the air of pollutants found in chemical cleaning products, and when the amount of harmful chemicals in the air becomes excessive, the plants’ leaves will display brown spots. Grows best with lots of sun. PEACE LILY The beautiful peace lily plant is a wonderful, low-maintenance flower to keep in the home. Peace lilies do well in shade and cooler temperatures, and they can reduce the levels of a number of toxins in the air. SNAKE PLANT Snake plants don’t need much light or water to survive, so they’re an easy choice for any corner of your home. The plant absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen during the night (most plants do so during the day), so add one to your bedroom for a clean-air boost. ENGLISH IVY NASA scientists listed the English Ivy as the number one air-filtering houseplant, as it is the most effective plant when it comes to absorbing formaldehyde. It’s also incredibly easy to grow and adaptable — try it as a hanging or floor plant. Grows best in moderate temperatures and medium sunlight. RUBBER TREE Rubber trees are good for cleaning the air and are one of the easiest plants to grow, as they thrive even in dim lighting and cooler climates. The lowmaintenance plant is a powerful toxin eliminator and air purifier.