Living in the city, I always look forward to visiting beaches and parks especially on the weekends. The feeling of being in nature is invigorating and refreshing. It’s a nice break from the concrete and the air-conditioning that we breathe daily. But how can we bring nature into our interiors so that we can also have small breaks of freshness in our day to day lives.

The solution is to  “green” our interiors.

By bringing in plants within our living space or working space we can help create a feeling of being in nature. Simple potted plants are not only decorative and refreshing to look at but also enhance  the quality of our lives.

Plants remove toxins from the air. Especially in office buildings where the internal air is controlled, and traps VOC’s (volatile organic compounds, present in rugs, vinyl, cigarette smoke, fibres, inks, and paints) the plants purify the air by pulling contaminants into soil, where the root zone microorganisms convert VOC’s into food for the plant.

Plants improve health.  Plants used in interior spaces decreases coughs, colds and dry skin as plants release moisture, which is part of the photosynthetic processes and releases moisture vapour and increases humidity in the air. Studies in hospitals, patients in rooms with plants request less pain medication, have lower heart rates and blood pressure, experience less fatigue and anxiety and are released from the hospital sooner than patients in rooms without plants.

Plants to use:

Snake plant: Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’

Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, this plant is one of the best for filtering out formaldehyde, which is common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissues and personal care products. Put one in your bathroom — it’ll thrive with low light and steamy humid conditions while helping filter out air pollutants.

Golden pothos (Scindapsus aures)

Another powerful plant for tackling formaldehyde, this fast-growing vine will create a cascade of green from a hanging basket. Consider it for your garage since car exhaust is filled with formaldehyde. (Bonus: Golden pothos, also know as devil’s ivy, stays green even when kept in the dark.)

Chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium)

The colorful flowers of a mum can do a lot more than brighten a home office or living room; the blooms also help filter out benzene, which is commonly found in glue, paint, plastics and detergent. This plant loves bright light, and to encourage buds to open, you’ll need to find a spot near an open window with direct sunlight.

Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)

The red edges of this easy dracaena bring a pop of color, and the shrub can grow to reach your ceiling. This plant is best for removing xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde, which can be introduced to indoor air through lacquers, varnishes and gasoline.

Warneck dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘Warneckii’)

Combat pollutants associated with varnishes and oils with this dracaena. The Warneckii grows inside easily, even without direct sunlight. With striped leaves forming clusters atop a thin stem, this houseplant can be striking, especially if it reaches its potential height of 12 feet.

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema Crispum ‘Deborah’)

This easy-to-care-for plant can help filter out a variety of air pollutants and begins to remove more toxins as time and exposure continues. Even with low light, it will produce blooms and red berries.

Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)

Also known as the reed palm, this small palm thrives in shady indoor spaces and often produces flowers and small berries. It tops the list of plants best for filtering out both benzene and trichloroethylene. They’re also a good choice for placing around furniture that could be off-gassing formaldehyde.