The number of “plant parents” across the globe has skyrocketed since the beginning of the pandemic, with so many homeowners searching for ways to bring a bit of joy, color and rewarding — but low-cost — responsibility into their homes. In her article “The Best House Plants to Boost Your Mood This Winter” for Boston Magazine, Asia Bradlee writes that “house plants actually have many health benefits, such as reducing stress, boosting mood, and enhancing productivity and creativity.” While houseplants offer amazing emotional and mental health benefits — and even a few physical health benefits — choosing the wrong one for one’s home and one’s body can result in opposite, quite unintended effects.
Several common houseplants are pollen-producing, leading to discomfort for both human and animal residents. To reap the many benefits of houseplants without negatively affecting one’s own health or the health of visitors, one should consider hypoallergenic varieties like the leafy philodendron, the area palm, the bamboo palm, the peace lily, the marginata and the lady palm. Succulents are often the best option for allergy sufferers — and for those prone to neglecting their houseplants!
