Our Top 5 Plants for a Yoga Space

Plants clean the air.

About 45 years ago, environmental scientist Bill Wolverton partnered with NASA to study plants’ ability to clean wastewater. He found that water hyacinth—with its large, tentacle-like root system—could replace a traditional septic system! Wolverton was even able to prove that plants could combat Sick Building Syndrome. He added lots of plants to a tightly sealed building made of synthetic materials. By doing so, he removed most of the volatile organic compounds that had been making people sick.

Our favourite house plants.

We’ve listed our top 5 house plants that remove toxins, reduce stress and look gorgeous in a home or yoga studio.

1. Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a succulent known for its medicinal properties in soothing sunburns. It’s also excellent for improving air quality. It’s even known as nature’s air purifier.

2. English ivy

Need to freshen up a musty room? Ivy plant is perfect. This perennial vine can reduce airborne mold, and it can be placed in a hanging basket or in a pot with a stake for climbing. But if you’ve got pets of babies, beware; these can be harmful if eaten or touched!

3. Snake plant

NASA put a snake plant in a chamber and filled it with toxic gases. After 24 hours, tests showed that Benzene levels were reduced by 53 percent! This hardy plant has shiny leaves and makes for healthier air. It’s easy to maintain, but, you might have to dust it on occasion.

4. Philodendron

This low-maintenance plant likes “dappled” light—similar to the sun peeking through the canopy of trees in its native rainforest environment. This pretty plant adds ambiance and looks lovely.

5. Peace lily

Able to survive in low-light areas, the peace lily is a low-maintenance plant that features beautiful white flowers. It can rid indoor air of toxins from formaldehyde and benzene to acetone and mold spores. It’s also lovely when it blooms.

Let us know in the comments what plants you have and where you keep them!