Did you know there is a way to cool your home without increasing your electric bill? We’re chatting about houseplants: they’re an easy, natural, and low-cost way to cool things down indoors. According to the USDA, plants can reduce the temperature in a room by up to 10 degrees by transpiring just like humans.
You can feel the air cooling significantly when walking into a forest. According to NASA, plants transpire in order to cool themselves and the air around them. The root system of the plant takes up water and nutrients from the soil, and some of this water is expelled out of the leaves and through pores, called stomata, which draw heat from the air.
If you want cooler air in your house, bring on the houseplants. As far as cooling properties go, some are better than others, so here is a short-list.
Aloe Vera (Aloe vera)
You can feel its cooling power if you smear the gel on a sunburn after cutting an aloe branch. However, aloe vera plants can cool more than sunburns. Additionally, they can cool the air temperature as well as remove formaldehyde and benzene from the air. After absorbing carbon dioxide, they release cool oxygen back into the atmosphere.
The leaves of these plump-leafed succulents are pointed, growing in the form of a rosette. As with other succulents, they store water in their thick leaves, which makes them drought tolerant.
Aloes are another easy plant to care for, so long as you don’t leave them in moist soil, they can withstand almost any neglect. You need well-draining soil and a pot with plenty of drainage holes. Aloe prefers a sunny location and weekly irrigation, but it can tolerate lower-light conditions and less water.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
There is more transpiration when there are more leaves. Simply put, it makes sense. The popular spider plant has more leaves than most plants. The leaves are long and slender, and the flowers hang gracefully over the side of a hanging basket. Long, leafless stalks are also used to grow babies on these houseplants.
In addition to cooling the air in your living room, spider plants also eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs). There are airborne chemical toxins emitted by furniture, building materials, and cleaning supplies.
Among the easiest plants to care for, spiders are perfect for green thumbs and brown thumbs alike. As long as they have well-draining soil and adequate water, these houseplants can grow in bright or low light.
Weeping Fig Tree (Ficus benjamina)
The weeping fig tree is a graceful and delightful houseplant, like their relatives, the fiddle-leaf fig. Their popularity makes them popular. Houseplants of the weeping fig tree are more common than any other species. Hundreds of bright green leaves give them a romantic look.
Ficus trees keep the air inside your room moist and cool, and are particularly useful during the summer months. A humid atmosphere is created by the many coin-shaped leaves that transpire at a high rate. Choose a tree with a tall trunk and a large canopy for maximum cooling.
Weeping figs love the sun, but should not be in direct sunlight. Make sure your ficus receives indirect light, and make sure it is well hydrated at all times.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Among the many plants that clean and purify the air, here is another easy-care one. Sanseviera, also called snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, is an upright succulent with belt-like leaves and sharp tips.
Succulents have leaves that store water like aloe plants, and they transpire a lot. During the day, it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases cool moisture at night. Therefore, having a snake plant in your bedroom can help you to fall asleep peacefully. Additionally, snake plants are effective at removing toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene.
Snake plants are one of the easiest plants to take care of, taking the title from spiders and aloe. In low light or in the sun, they thrive on neglect. A couple of gallons of water every 3-4 weeks.
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
The areca palm tree, known for its beautiful, feathery fronds, is another great plant for cooling your home. This leafy palm is used primarily for decoration, but it also removes trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from the air. Besides transpiring a lot, it also acts as a natural air conditioner and humidifier.
Although one areca is lovely, a small collection of palms creates the illusion of an indoor rainforest in a living room. When the weather is hot, the palm trees make your home look tropical, but they also cool the air.
Taking care of the areca palm can be a bit tricky, but it is gorgeous and incredibly alive. Temperate climates are ideal for Areca palms. They should be in indirect light in a place where they won’t be surprised by a cool draft. The soil should have good drainage and be regularly irrigated.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
Peace lilies are striking tropical plants with large emerald leaves, reason enough to welcome them into your home. The large, white flowers on this plant are actually spathes that protect the smaller inner flowers, making it a great houseplant choice for a peaceful and calm environment. The plant has been listed by NASA as a revolutionary air purifier, but don’t let that fool you.
The more leaves a plant has, the more moisture it releases. This plant is ideal for cooling the air in a living room or bedroom because of its huge, lush leaves.
Peace lilies live in tropical forests, where they get consistent moisture and dappled sunlight. The closer you can replicate these conditions in your house, the happier and healthier your lily will be. Whenever the air is dry, you should mist your house.