If surveys and statistics are to be believed, every third citizen in Germany suffers from an allergy. Dust and pollen allergies are particularly widespread. They make life difficult for those affected and especially for asthma patients. Doctors advise in some cases to avoid plants in closed rooms - others even recommend them, provided the "right" ones are chosen. These include indoor plants that have a positive effect on allergy sufferers and are listed below.

Plant allergies

When it comes to indoor plants, numerous indoor plants often cause allergic reactions. These can be triggered by skin contact or inhalation of allergens, pollen and pollutants. In some cases, an allergy is not known, but increased sensitivity is usually enough. Most often, allergies are observed in the following plants:

  • Arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) - skin reddening with blistering possible
  • Asteraceae (especially chrysanthemums, asters and especially ragweed)
  • Cup primrose (Primula obconica) - may cause an allergic skin reaction
  • Pot hyacinths (Hyacinthus) - unsuitable for those allergic to fragrances
  • Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia seguine) - plant sap can cause skin irritation and swelling of the mucous membranes

latex allergen

Some plant species contain a latex allergen-like protein that, among other things, evaporates through the leaves, combines with dust and is inhaled through the air in the room. Plant lovers with latex allergies should avoid these plants, as should people suffering from asthma. Here, the substance particles can lead to shortness of breath, chest tightness and, in the worst case, even a drop in blood pressure due to shock. All plants can also promote the disease "bronchial asthma" and trigger a first-time attack. These plants include:

  • Alstroemeria - containing allergens
  • Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
  • Rubber tree (Ficus elastica)
  • Coffee Plants (Coffea)
  • Cactus (Cactaceae)
  • Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
  • hemp (cannabis)

notice: Allergic reactions can also occur with cut flowers in the living room. Tulips, for example, are known for their intolerance to allergy sufferers.

Suitable indoor plants for allergy sufferers

Suitable plants for people with increased sensitivity or an existing allergy include those that have air-filtering properties and/or increase the humidity in rooms so that dust and pollen cannot penetrate the mucous membranes. Of course, there are also specimens that do not release any pollen into the air due to the lack of flowers and have no effect on the air in the room. Allergy-friendly houseplants include the following:

Houseplants from B - D

Mountain palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

  • pollutant cleaner
  • Optimally optimizes humidity in the room
  • Height of growth: 30 to 130 centimeters, rarely up to 200 centimeters
  • periwinkle
  • No flowers and accordingly no pollen
  • Easy-care
  • Location: southern direction is ideal because it needs a lot of light

Bow Hemp (Sansevieria)

  • Air purifying properties
  • Straight tubular growth
  • Growth height: up to one meter
  • Location: from sunny to shady
  • No pollen due to inconspicuous flowers
  • Ideal for "beginners"
  • Very easy to care for

Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)

  • Ideal for people allergic to dust because of the strong air-cleaning effect (fine dust)
  • Be careful with pollen allergy sufferers, as pollen may fly slightly
  • Growth height: up to 50 centimeters
  • Flowering: autumn, often only after many years
  • Ideal location: bright on a west or east window
  • Easy-care
  • Special feature: dies after flowering

Dragon Tree (Dracaena)

  • Air-purifying and moisture-balancing effect
  • Growth form: upright, bushy
  • Growth height: up to 250 centimeters depending on the species
  • Flower: rare, inconspicuous
  • No pollen flight - allergy only possible with direct pollen contact
  • Location: semi-shade, sunny
  • Easy-care
  • Caution: can cause poisoning symptoms

Indoor plants from E - G

Ivy (Hedera)

  • Air purifying plant
  • Growth height: Unlimited, since it is a climbing/climbing plant
  • Flowering time: usually September to October, depending on the species
  • No pollen flight
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Extremely easy to care for and demanding houseplant
  • Toxic to humans and pets
  • Ideally suited for the bedroom

Solid Leaf (Spathiphyllum)

  • Strongly cleans the room air
  • Considered to be energizing
  • Growth height: 20 to 120 centimeters depending on the species
  • Elegant appearance
  • Flower: a snow-white leaf
  • Slight pollen flight possible - therefore protect from the wind
  • Perennial ornamental plant
  • Location: partially shaded
  • Contains toxic oxalic acid and pungent substances (avoid direct skin contact and consumption)

ferns

  • Sword fern (Nephrolepis) in particular cleans the air and releases a lot of moisture into rooms
  • Growth height: 30 to 100 centimeters depending on the species
  • No flower - no pollen
  • periwinkle
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady (no direct sunlight)
  • Ideal for east windows

Golden fruit palm (Dypsis lutescens)

  • Enormously air-cleansing effect of toxins and carbon dioxide
  • Natural air humidification with a positive effect on respiratory tract/asthma sufferers
  • Ideally suited for the bedroom
  • Growth height up to four meters
  • Flowering almost always excluded
  • Easy-care
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

  • Acts as a real air freshener
  • Filters up to 80 percent of asthma-causing formaldehyde
  • Known as official grass because it is often placed in offices
  • Growth height: up to 60 centimeters
  • Flowering time: between spring and summer - inconspicuous
  • No risk of allergies due to pollen
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady

Houseplants by H - P

Hibiscus (Hibiscus)

  • Produces a lot of humidity, making it ideal for asthmatics
  • Height of growth: up to three meters depending on the species
  • Flowering period: July to October
  • Location: sunny
  • Contains allergens, but the plant only releases a few pollen into the air, so the chance of an allergy is very low
  • There are occasional allergic skin reactions to direct contact, not from the plant but from sprays and fertilizers
  • Very easy to care for

Orchids (Orchidaceae)

  • Moth orchids in particular filter pollutants that affect the respiratory tract, such as are often found in plastics and adhesives
  • Cleans air of formaldehyde from cosmetics and textiles, which can trigger asthma
  • Growth height: up to 110 centimeters depending on the species
  • Flowering time: mostly between March and May
  • Little to no pollen count if sheltered from the wind
  • Plant sap contains allergens that can cause skin allergies on direct contact
  • therefore always wear gloves
  • Location: shaded to sunny without direct sunlight

Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus)

  • High water evaporation and thus increase in humidity to eliminate dust in the air
  • Growth height: between three and five meters
  • Flowering: July to September - inconspicuous
  • Location: bright and sunny
  • Extremely low risk of pollen for allergy sufferers
  • Easy-care

Philodendron (Philodendron)

  • In particular, the species "Monstera"
  • Gives off a lot of moisture through very large leaves
  • Ideal for rooms with dry air due to heating operation
  • Eliminates pollutants from the air
  • climbing plant
  • Growth height: up to 5 meters
  • Unspectacular bract flowers in creamy white
  • Can be eaten when ripe
  • Low risk of pollen during rare flowering period
  • Only direct skin contact with plant sap can lead to allergic reactions
  • Location: semi-shady to shady - ideal with some morning and evening sunlight

Houseplants from R - S

Roses/ potted roses (pink)

  • Has a small amount of pollen that remains hidden until the flowers are fully open
  • Therefore low risk of pollen flight
  • Scented roses, however, can become a problem for those who are allergic to scents
  • Location: sunny and bright, but sheltered from wind/drafts
  • Growth height: up to 80 centimeters depending on the variety
  • Flowering time: between mid-May and late August, depending on the variety
  • Moderate maintenance needs

Ray's Aralia (Schefflera)

  • Acts as a real air freshener
  • Filters up to 80 percent of asthma-causing formaldehyde
  • Known as official grass because it is often placed in offices
  • Growth height: up to four meters depending on the species
  • Flowers: very rare in April to May and inconspicuous
  • No risk of allergies due to pollen
  • Location: bright and sunny without blazing midday sun - tolerates partial shade
  • Poisonous plant parts - do not consume

tip: Houseplants may have good properties for allergy sufferers and sensitive people, but unfortunately they usually attract dust, which in turn promotes asthma and dust allergies. For this reason, even allergy-friendly plants should be dusted regularly.

Hydroponics - hygienic alternative

In many cases, the plants are not to blame for a runny nose or burning eyes. It can also be due to the potting soil on which a lot of dust has settled or mold or other fungal spores may have formed. For this reason, hydroponics for indoor plants with the small clay balls offer an ideal solution for allergy sufferers and sensitive people. The irrigation water is "stored" as a reserve and only drawn when the roots are ready to absorb new water. This system significantly reduces the risk of mold or fungus growth. In addition, dust has no chance here because it is simply rinsed off with the irrigation water. Therefore: houseplants in hydroculture are ideal for allergy sufferers households or offices.

Category:

Indoor plants