Can Spider Plants Help Relieve Asthma Symptoms?

I have spoken about how I designed my apartment to be an allergy-free space on several occasions. It’s an important thing for me to have a space I can retreat to if I'm feeling under the weather due to my allergies. A few weeks ago, a friend sent me an article all about the benefits of the spider plant.

The benefits of spider plants for asthma

Apparently, the spider plant, also known as Chlorophytum comosum, can help us asthma warriors breathe cleaner air. Studies have shown that the spider plant is quite effective in cleaning indoor air by absorbing chemicals, including formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and carbon monoxide, in homes or offices. The fact that the plant absorbs all these chemicals out of the air will only make my living space even more comfortable.¹

Caring for houseplants to feel the benefits

Right now, the air is so muggy and sticky, which really is a nightmare for my asthma. So, I have bought 2 spider plants. I have one in the lounge and the other in the kitchen. I’m not sure if I need a few more plants to really feel the benefits of these air-purifying houseplants. They are really easy to look after. They basically take care of themselves. Even if you have a skillful knack for killing plants, as I do, you will be okay, as they are fairly resilient things.

I make sure to water the plants at least once a day in the morning, especially during the hot weather we've been having, but they only need feeding a couple of times a week. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot, which will ultimately cause your plant to die. The spider plant reacts well to bright but indirect sunlight, so I try to keep away from window sills where the sunlight directly floods into my apartment. And, fun fact: spider plants will grow "spiderettes" that you can snip off and re-pot to create more spider plants. It could be a relatively inexpensive and efficient way to naturally purify the air in a home. If I do find them to be beneficial to my breathing, I will definitely buy some more!

Additional must-have indoor plants for asthmatics

Learning things about my ailments is very rewarding. I never thought I would see plants as a positive aspect of managing asthma. Over the last 40 years, I have presumed that all things green were bad. I am allergic to pollen and grass pollen, so I have become accustomed to these fixed ideas. I am now discovering that other plants can help purify the air in our homes.

The money plant, the snake plant (also known as Mother-in-law's tongue), and the Areca Palms are all plants that share similar characteristics with the spider plant. Now, I will wait to see if I notice any change. If I do not, I will continue to add to my collection. If there are positive signs, I will then take steps to obtain these other plants. Let's see!