Best Plants For Allergies And Asthma
Whether it be a collection of houseplants or an outdoor garden, plants can trigger allergies and asthma. Most plants produce pollen and many of them even release spores that can irritate some people. Understandably, many homeowners with allergies and/or asthma, want to know the best plants to have.
The best plants to grow if you have allergies and asthma are begonias, azaleas, and peace lilies. Spider plants won’t cause problems for people with allergies and respiratory problems, and they even clean the air and produce lots of oxygen. Cacti and daffodils are also perfect for pollen-sensitive homeowners because they don’t produce too much pollen.
Avoid plants like bonsai trees, weeping figs, and English ivy if you are prone to allergies and have asthma. Let’s look at the best plants for anyone with allergies and asthma and highlight the plants to avoid.
What Plants Are Good For People With Asthma?
When looking for plants that are good for asthma, it’s best to find plants that don’t produce too much pollen. A high pollen count is what most likely triggers people with allergies and asthma. Follow along as we highlight some of the best plants for allergies and asthma.
1. Begonia
The begonia genus has 2,000 varieties of plants, and most of them are perfect for people with allergies and asthma. Luckily, all of the begonias that can grow and thrive in the United States are considered safe. No matter which type of begonia you choose, they will add a touch of character to your garden or houseplant collection.
While begonias can thrive indoors, it’s best to put them outside and let them get 4-6 hours of sunlight per day. Ideally, you should water begonias 2-3 times per week or as needed if the soil gets dry.
2. Azalea
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has named azaleas as one of the best plants for people that suffer from asthma. Azaleas have small, colorful flowers but aren’t harmful to most people with asthma and allergies compared to other flowering plants. They are easy to take care of, as you only need to water them twice per week in most cases.
Azaleas only need four hours of sunlight per day, and they can thrive indoors and outdoors.
3. Peace Lilies
Peace lilies are among the most visually appealing hypoallergenic plants you can find. They can thrive both indoors and outdoors under the right sunlight conditions. Find a spot with indirect sunlight for your peace lilies, as too much sun exposure can discolor the leaves and even kill them.
Often considered one of the best plants for allergies and asthma, peace lilies produce pollen, but it isn’t typically problematic. The pollen that peace lilies produce is somewhat thick and doesn’t flow through the air as freely as other plants, unless it’s quite windy.
4. Cacti
Not only are cacti easy to take care of indoors, but they rarely trigger allergies and asthma. You won’t have to worry about pollen in the air with cacti. They produce pollen, but the pollen count of a cactus is low compared to flowers like marigolds.
Whether you put them indoors or outdoors, cacti are durable, visually appealing, and largely hypoallergenic. There are over 2,000 types of cacti to choose from, and most cacti are easy to take care of if you live in the appropriate climate.
5. Daffodils
Daffodils are among the best plants for allergies and asthma because of their low pollen count. You shouldn’t have problems with daffodils even if it’s a windy day. These sun-loving plants need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day on most days.
However, they can handle some shade and some homeowners even put them indoors. However, you should only keep a potted daffodil indoors during the winter under lights. Once spring rolls around, you will need to put your daffodils outside so they can grow to their full potential.
6. Spider Plant
The name be scary, but you have nothing to fear with spider plants if you have allergies and asthma. Spider plants won’t trigger allergies and asthma, and they can even clean the air. They are known to improve indoor air quality.
Spider plants thrive just as well indoors as they do outside. They love indirect sunlight and can do well under low light conditions indoors and outdoors.
Worst Indoor Plants For Allergies
Before you plan your indoor houseplant collection, it’s important to avoid plants that are known to trigger allergies and asthma. Plants that produce lots of pollen and release spores are typically the worst if you are prone to allergies and respiratory problems. Let’s look at the worst indoor plants for allergies.
1. Ferns
Ferns release spores into the air, and that can aggravate your allergies. This is how ferns reproduce, so there’s nothing you can do to stop it when the plant is alive. They are less likely to aggravate allergies outdoors because the spores have more room to dissipate.
Many homeowners keep ferns indoors because they are so easy to take care of. If you can’t part ways with keeping a fern in your house, you may want to choose a tamer variety. For example, staghorn ferns and Boston ferns are often considered less triggering for people that are sensitive to ferns.
2. Palms
Male palm trees are among the worst indoor plants for allergies. Female palm trees are harmless, but male palms are a nightmare for any homeowner who is sensitive to pollen. They frequently produce pollen and release it into the air.
The pollen will make its way through your home, aggravating your allergies and making the surfaces in your home dirty. Simply get female palm trees if you want palms in your house and don’t want to trigger your allergies.
3. Ivy
There are countless ivy varieties, and many of them are bad for those with allergies and asthma, especially indoors. English ivy and Algerian ivy in particular are bad for allergies and asthma. They can cause both skin and lung irritation in those who are sensitive to them.
4. Yucca
Yucca is mostly an outdoor plant, but it’s become more popular as an indoor plant in recent years. You should only keep yucca indoors if you are sure you aren’t allergic to it. Many homeowners and gardeners sadly find out they’re allergic to yucca when they handle it.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to yucca typically manifest as skin problems like rashes and itching. However, severe reactions are possible, so it’s best to plant yucca outdoors and avoid direct contact with it.
5. Bonsai Trees
Bonsai trees are popular indoor plants for homeowners with great lighting setups. However, male bonsai trees can cause problems for homeowners who are sensitive to pollen and have asthma. That’s not a problem with bonsai trees, so avoid male bonsais at all costs.
6. Weeping Figs
Weeping figs don’t cause problems for many homeowners, but you should never keep them indoors if you’re allergic to latex. This unique fig variety has latex fibers that can trigger a severe allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to it. It can cause everything from respiratory problems to skin irritation.
Summing It Up
Begonias, azaleas, and peace lilies are the best plants for allergies and asthma. Cacti, daffodils, and spider plants are also great if you are prone to asthma. Spider plants release plenty of oxygen and are known to clean the air.
Ferns, palms, and English ivy are the worst plants for people with allergies and asthma. Never put plants that produce lots of pollen or release spores in your home if you have asthma, as they are the most triggering for many people.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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