Not many people know about snake plant benefits although they have one at home. Most people are only attracted to the physical visual, believing that the plant is attractive and beautiful. In reality, not only snake plants are considered good for feng shui matter, but they can also deliver some health benefits. What can you expect from the plant, anyway?
About Snake Plants
This plant is basically a common and regular houseplant, which is native to Africa and Asia. Known as Sansevieria Trifasciata, it has a unique physical signature. It comes with sword shaped leaves (the evergreen type) growing upright. It looks like artificial foliage. Because of their beautiful appearance, people often use snake plants for home décor. Not to mention that they don’t need a lot of water and they are relatively easy to care for.
However, despite the many snake plant benefits, you should be careful when placing the plant, especially if you have kids and pets who may nibble the plants. When consumed, snake plants are mildly toxic because the leaves contain poison. It can cause numbness and swelling, especially when consumed in big quantities. That’s why it should be placed away from pets and kids.
The Different Types
Despite the various types, you can still enjoy snake plant benefits at home. Most of them can deliver the same perks for your health concern. As it was mentioned before, the common foliage would be green and slender leaves with silver or gray streaks then run horizontally. It can grow pretty tall, and it survives quite well in low light conditions. There are some popular species types out there.
- Bird’s nest or Hahnii.his one is small, only reaching 6 inches in height. The leaves form a cup-like cluster.
- Cylinder snake plant. As the name suggests, it has round leaves reaching outward, making it look like a crown.
- Twisted sister. It’s the dwarf version of Sansevieria Trifasciata with a maximum height of only 15 inches. It has a unique look with twisting (variegated) green and gold leaves.
- White snake plant. The leaves are dark green with white stripes on it vertically.
The Great Benefits
So, what are the great snake plant benefits you can enjoy?
- It can filter the indoor air. It’s even effective at night, which makes it different from other plants. This is why the snake plant is considered safe when placed inside the bedroom because it can help you regulate fresh and also healthy airflow.
- It helps to remove toxic pollutants. Toxic pollutants within the air can be effectively removed. In fact, the plants can also absorb pollutants responsible for causing cancer, like carbon dioxide, xylene, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene. It’s safe to say that the plant can be a solid defence and protector against allergies, especially the airborne types.
- It can boost mental clarity and health. According to research done in 2018, the plants can create a calming and relaxed effect although this beneficial claim still needs further research. It’s a part of horticultural therapy that is believed to deliver therapeutic effects. If you want to try it out, try placing it in your personal space, such as home offices or home libraries. Medical facilities as well as schools and workplaces have included the plant in their layout and design, believing that the plant can improve the atmosphere and vibe of the environment.
- It’s easy to maintain and care for. This is a versatile plant that is sturdy and pretty resilient. It is able to tackle direct sunlight as well as shaded spots. It can also deal with dry air, drafts, and underwatering. The plant is not easily infested and you don’t have to repot it quite often.
Besides all of those benefits, the plant is also great when fighting off allergies. You see, snake plants would release oxygen to the air and then add moisture to it. As a result, it helps deal with airborne allergens’ effects, such as dander and dust. If you have poor air quality indoors, then adding the snake plants can solve the issue. Those with asthma and allergies can try having this plant within their indoor setting and see how it improves their condition.
Having plants isn’t just about adding lush greeneries into your personal living space. Some of them can even bring in some health perks. With so many snake plant benefits, why not have one right away?