Top-10 indoor woody plants

Indoor woody plants are a great source for oxygen yield that helps in reducing the sickness syndrome that develops due to air pollution in indoor closed environments which are not suitable for prolonged healthy life. Staying in closed environments can protect you from being vulnerable to diseases but can cause other ailments due to the lack of exposure to fresh air, which are remedial for problems related to physical and mental well-being. The desire for gardening should be prompted with the thought to replenish and reinvent the conditions of healthy living in an enclosed environment. As we are approaching a dystopian reality, it is clearly visible that plants are the only hope in saving the lives of human race. Though longevity of human life is degrading, the survival scenario can be changed to such an extent that people can look forward to having a healthy and safe life.

Plants are effective in filtering out VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) such as benzene, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, ammonia and CFCs released from organic chemicals found in paints, varnishes, exhaust from cars, tobacco smoke, etc. These components are a major cause of a wide variety of ailments in human beings and can affect the metabolism of the human body.

The woody plants that are desirable for indoor planting are:

1. Areca palm

• Botanical name: Dypsis lutescens
• Other names: Golden cane palm, Butterfly palm
• Light: bright, filtered light near a sunny window
• Water: moderately; let the soil dry between watering
• Height: 6-7 feet (about 2 m) in containers
• Benefits: air humidifier; filters xylene and toluene

2. Dracaena

• Botanical name: dracaena marginata
• Other names: Madagascar dragon tree
• Light: Part shade
• Water: Medium
• Height: 15 to 20 feet
• Benefits: removes benzene, formaldehydes, toluene, and xylene and controls humidity.

3. Coleus

• Botanical Name: Plectranthus scutellarioides
• Other names: Painted nettle
• Light: excellent light source to retain the markings and doesn’t accept heavy shade or extreme hot midday sun.
• Water: Watering frequently but reduced watering in winter
• Height: 1ft – 2ft / 30cm – 60cm
• Benefits: It can provide muscle relaxant properties and can dilate blood vessels, thereby has a capability to lower blood pressure.

4. Cast iron plant

• Botanical Name: Aspidistra elatior
• Other names: Bar room plant, iron plant
• Light: Full shade
• Water: Once established, needs only occasional watering.
• Height: Slow growing 2 ft. tall
• Benefits: Resistant to neglect and improves air quality

5. Snake plant

• Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
• Other names: mother-in-law’s tongue or Saint George’s sword
• Light: medium or bright light
• Water: Allow the soil to dry between waterings, especially in winter.
• Height: From 1 to 8 feet
• Benefits: Used for improving air quality as it coverts CO₂ into oxygen.

6. ZZ plant

• Botanical Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia
• Other names: aroid palm, eternity plant
• Light: medium or bright light
• Water: adaptable to droughts and moist for the majority of the time between late Spring to early Autumn / Fall.
• Height: 3-4 feet in height
• Benefits: Used for detoxification of air

7. Split leaf philodendron

• Botanical Name: Monstera deliciosa
• Other names: windowleaf, ceriman, monstera, Mexican breadfruit, Swiss cheese plant
• Light: best in half shade or a moderately bright position
• Water: Water windowleaf plants thoroughly before the soil becomes dry and Water less in winter.
• Height: 3-4 feet in height
• Benefits: Used for improving indoor air quality by removing benzene, formaldehydes, toluene, and xylene.

8. Araucaria

• Botanical Name: Araucaria heterophylla
• Other names: star pine, triangle tree or living Christmas tree.
• Light: Bright light
• Water: Needs water to moisten the dry soil.
• Height: upto 20 feet in height
• Benefits: Air humidifier

9. Rubber tree

• Botanical Name: Ficus elastica
• Light: bright to medium
• Water: moderately; let the soil dry between watering
• Height: 8-10 feet (around 3 m) tall in containers
• Benefits: air humidifier, filters formaldehyde

10. Chinese lucky bamboo

• Botanical Name: Dracaena braunii
• Other names: ribbon dracaena, lucky bamboo, curly bamboo, Chinese water bamboo
• Light: bright indirect light
• Water: moderately and water level should be atleast couple of inches.
• Height: upto 1 feet tall in containers
• Benefits: filters benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene