During summer, it can be tempting to blast the air conditioner to beat the heat. But that comes with a hefty electricity bill. Many people look for cheaper alternatives for cooling their homes. Some people cool their homes using natural plants. But if you’ve never tried it before, you may wonder if it works.
So, can indoor plants cool a room? Yes. Some house plants are natural coolants. They absorb heat from their surroundings, and some emit oxygen that lowers the ambient air temperature. The water they release during transpiration is also a contributing factor. Some of the plants that will give you excellent cooling effects include:
- Aloe Vera
- Peace lily
- Ficus
- Snake plant
- Areca palm tree
- Rubber plant
- Bamboo palm
- Boston fern
- Weeping fig
- Golden pothos
Indoor plants are not only great for the aesthetic appeal they add to a room. Some indoor plants are also excellent natural coolants for your home. Read on to find out which plants you should be shopping for this summer and how they work to cool your home.
Can Indoor Plants Cool a Room?
Many believe that summer is the best season of the year. You get to abandon the layers of winter clothing and enjoy numerous outdoor activities without any weather restrictions. And if you’re on summer break from school or work, it is probably the best time to take that long-awaited vacation.
But summer also comes with heat. And if you’re an indoor person, you may end up pushing your home’s air conditioning into override. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of indoor plants that act as natural coolants that can help you keep your energy bills low during the summer. They include:
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is popular for its medicinal properties. From treating acne to moisturizing hair, Aloe Vera has a plethora of uses. But there’s more to this succulent plant than most people know. The Aloe Vera plant is also an excellent coolant.
Because this plant has high water content, it releases plenty of cool evaporated moisture into the air during transpiration. Not to mention, it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen into the air during the night. For this reason, it’s advisable to store it in your room when you’re sleeping to improve your sleep.
And according to Houzz, the plant is also known to remove benzene and formaldehyde from the air – another reason to keep it around throughout the year.
2. Peace Lily
The peace lily plant has big leaves, which is one of the things that make it an excellent coolant. Because it has big leaves, the plant releases more oxygen and moisture into the air during transpiration. As a result, you get more cooling effects.
The plant is also known to remove toxins from the surroundings. Therefore, even when you don’t need to cool down your room, you can have the plant in your home for this benefit and the aesthetic appeal.
3. Ficus
The ficus plant also has moderately large leaves. This means it will emit more oxygen and moisture into its surroundings during transpiration. This house plant is commonly recommended for its ability to reduce pollution and improve air quality.
The plant also has a terrific aesthetic appeal. It would, therefore, be a great addition to any room that you’d like to brighten up and add more life to. Not to mention, the plant doesn’t require much care, so it is perfect for those without “green thumbs.”
4. Snake Plant
The snake plant is a favorite in most homes. People love this house plant because of its breathtaking colors. The yellow and green colors of the plant instantly change the appearance of a room. However, there’s more to this plant than its aesthetic appeal.
This house plant releases oxygen at night, thereby cooling the room and improving your sleep. In addition to this, it removes toxins from the air and requires very little care.
5. Areca Palm Tree
This plant is most commonly placed in the living room. Its numerous leaves and rich green color add life to any room, and the aesthetic appeal it adds is worth every dime. But the plant does more than beautify your home.
The Areca palm tree is a natural humidifier. Additionally, the plant removes trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, and benzene from the air.
6. Rubber Plant
If you have limited space in your home for plants, you should consider getting a rubber plant. The plant releases a high level of oxygen that helps cool the ambient air temperature. Not to mention, it helps in purifying toxins like formaldehyde from the air. You can even get the same significant effects from small baby rubber plants as well, as explained by PopSugar.
7. Bamboo Palm
If you’re not a fan of big plants, the bamboo palm may be an excellent option. The plant rarely goes above two meters high. Another reason to invest in this plant is the fact that it is an incredible air humidifier.
The plant has large leaves, which means it emits more oxygen and moisture into the air compared to plants with smaller leaves. The bamboo palm is also great for purifying the air around you. This plant gets rid of toxins like benzene and trichloroethylene from the atmosphere.
8. Boston Fern
The Boston fern is another example of a fern plant that acts as a natural humidifier. The plant has numerous leaves, which increase the amount of moisture and oxygen released into the air during transpiration. Furthermore, the plant is an excellent air purifier. It is known to get rid of volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde and benzene.
Not to mention, it has an incredible aesthetic appeal and looks terrific in any room you place it.
9. Weeping Fig
The weeping fig is perfect for anyone who loves big plants. This one can grow up to three meters indoors but can grow even larger outdoors. Because it’s a leafy plant, it releases plenty of oxygen and moisture into the air during transpiration.
The weeping fig is also among the best air purifiers because of its ability to absorb heavy metals from the air.
10. Golden Pothos
Also known as money plant or devil’s ivy, the golden pothos is a favorite for many people because of its ability to crawl and fill up spaces. If you love natural plants on your walls, this one won’t disappoint. In addition to making your space look spectacular, the plant also has incredible humidifying properties.
The golden pothos plant is also great for removing air pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide. It’s a great option if you want a low maintenance plant. This plant requires minimal light and doesn’t need frequent watering.
Try It the Natural Way
Can indoor plants cool a room? Yes. Can the plants replace your actual air conditioner? Probably not. Nonetheless, they can make a difference. To get the best results, you need to choose a plant that’s leafy and has air purification properties. Plants with smaller and fewer leaves may offer some cooling effects, but they won’t make a big difference.
Consider the plants listed above if you’re looking for some natural cooling. They not only have excellent cooling abilities but are also known to purify the air.
Don’t forget to take proper care of your plants to enjoy their benefits for a long time. Fortunately, most of these plants only require frequent watering and minimal exposure to light. Therefore, you shouldn’t have a hard time taking care of them.