How I Learned Plants Actually Help You Breathe Better (And Why It Matters More As We Age)

I never paid much attention to indoor air quality until my wife’s health problems started getting worse. After her stroke, she developed respiratory issues that seemed to flare up more when she was stuck inside for long periods, especially during Michigan winters when we’d seal up the house for months at a time.

Her doctor mentioned that indoor air quality could be affecting her breathing, and suggested we look into air purifiers. That got me researching, and what I found was pretty eye-opening. Turns out the air inside most homes is actually worse than outdoor air – sometimes two to five times worse, according to what I read from the EPA.

Think about that for a minute. We spend most of our time indoors, especially as we get older and less mobile, breathing air that’s more polluted than what’s outside. No wonder my wife was having trouble.

I started learning about something called volatile organic compounds – VOCs – that come from furniture, cleaning products, carpeting, paint, all sorts of things we have in our homes. Plus there’s dust, allergens, and if your house is sealed up tight like ours was for energy efficiency, carbon dioxide builds up too.

The more I read, the more I realized this wasn’t just about my wife’s specific health problems. This affects everyone, but especially older adults who spend more time indoors and might have compromised respiratory systems to begin with.

That’s when I came across information about how plants can actually help clean indoor air. There was this NASA study from back in the 1980s that tested different houseplants for removing chemicals from the air. Snake plants, peace lilies, English ivy, spider plants – they actually filter out pollutants while producing oxygen.

Now, I’d always been skeptical of claims that seemed too good to be true. But this was NASA research, and the science made sense. Plants evolved to process air, after all. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, and apparently many of them can also absorb harmful chemicals through their leaves and roots.

So I started an experiment. My wife had always been the plant person, but with her mobility issues, maintaining houseplants had become difficult. I took over that responsibility and began adding specific plants throughout the house, focusing on the ones the research showed were best for air cleaning.

I put snake plants in the bedroom because I read they release oxygen at night, unlike most plants. Added peace lilies in the living areas – they’re good for removing common household chemicals and they let you know when they need water by drooping slightly. Boston ferns in the bathroom to help with humidity.

Within a few months, I noticed my wife was coughing less, especially at night. Could have been coincidence or the new medication, but the timing seemed to correlate with adding the plants.

That got me interested in other ways to improve our indoor air naturally. I learned that humidity levels matter a lot for respiratory health – too dry and your mucous membranes get irritated, too humid and you risk mold problems. The sweet spot is supposed to be between 40-60%.

Our house in winter was running around 25% humidity, which explained why we both felt dried out and stuffy. I added some small water features – nothing fancy, just tabletop fountains I found at the garden center – to help increase moisture in the air naturally.

I also started thinking about ventilation differently. Growing up, my mother always insisted on “airing out the house” regularly, opening windows even in winter for a few minutes to get fresh air circulating. We’d gotten away from that with modern heating and cooling systems, but there’s wisdom in that old practice.

Even in cold weather, I started opening windows briefly each day to exchange stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air. Not enough to waste energy, but enough to keep things from getting stagnant. Combined with the plants, this created much better air circulation.

The biggest change came when I started replacing some of our older furniture and materials with more natural options. When we needed new bedroom furniture, instead of the particle board stuff with formaldehyde-based glues, I found solid wood pieces. Cost more upfront, but they don’t off-gas chemicals like the manufactured stuff.

Same thing when we had to repaint some rooms. I switched to low-VOC paints, which don’t have that strong chemical smell that used to give me headaches. Again, costs a bit more, but worth it for the health benefits.

I shared what I was learning with other folks at the senior center, and it turned out a lot of people were dealing with similar issues. Respiratory problems, allergies, just feeling stuffy and uncomfortable indoors. Several people started trying some of the same modifications I’d made.

One woman, Margaret, has emphysema and was really struggling with air quality in her apartment. She couldn’t make major changes because she rents, but she added several air-filtering plants and a small humidifier. She says it’s made a noticeable difference in how she feels, especially in the morning.

Another friend, Bill, was having trouble with his COPD getting worse in winter when his house was closed up. He started the same routine I use – opening windows briefly each day for fresh air exchange, even when it’s cold outside. His wife thought he was crazy at first, but she admits he seems to breathe easier now.

What I’ve learned is that this isn’t complicated or expensive, though it does require some attention to maintenance. Plants need care, water features need cleaning, and you have to be consistent about ventilation. But the basics are pretty straightforward.

The plants that work best for air cleaning, from what I’ve read and experienced, are snake plants, peace lilies, spider plants, English ivy, rubber plants, and Boston ferns. They’re all relatively easy to care for, even for someone like me who came to plant care late in life.

For humidity, even simple measures help. Water features, plants themselves, or just placing bowls of water near heat sources can increase moisture in the air. I bought an inexpensive hygrometer to monitor humidity levels and adjust accordingly.

Ventilation is mostly about being intentional. Don’t let air get completely stagnant. Even in winter, crack windows briefly. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchen. Think about airflow when arranging furniture.

The material choices are more of a long-term strategy. When you need to replace something anyway, consider natural materials over synthetic ones. Solid wood instead of particle board, wool rugs instead of synthetic carpeting, cotton curtains instead of polyester. These changes add up over time.

I’m not claiming this will cure serious respiratory conditions. My wife still needs her medications and regular medical care. But I do think creating a healthier indoor environment has helped both of us feel better day-to-day.

The research I’ve read suggests this is especially important for older adults. As we age, our lungs become less efficient, and we spend more time indoors. Our homes need to support our health, not work against it.

It’s also gotten me thinking about how houses used to be designed differently. My grandmother’s house had big windows, high ceilings, and a front porch where she spent summer evenings. Air moved through naturally, and she was constantly tending plants both inside and out.

We’ve made buildings more energy-efficient, which is good, but sometimes we’ve sealed them too tight. The challenge is finding the balance between energy conservation and healthy indoor air.

I’ve started helping other people in our community make similar modifications. Our church asked me to help improve the air quality in their fellowship hall, which had gotten stuffy and uncomfortable, especially during crowded events.

We added plants, improved the ventilation system, and switched to low-VOC cleaning products. It’s made a real difference in comfort levels, particularly for older members with respiratory sensitivities.

The key thing I’ve learned is that small changes can make a meaningful difference. You don’t need to renovate your entire house or spend a fortune. Start with a few air-cleaning plants, pay attention to humidity and ventilation, and make healthier material choices when you’re replacing things anyway.

For people our age dealing with health issues, creating a home environment that supports rather than challenges our respiratory system isn’t a luxury – it’s a practical necessity. And honestly, it’s made our house feel more alive and comfortable for everyone who visits.

My wife’s greenhouse project has evolved into something of an indoor air quality laboratory. She’s experimenting with different plant combinations and tracking which ones seem most effective. It’s given her a project that directly benefits her health while keeping her engaged with something she enjoys.

Looking back, I wish I’d paid attention to these issues decades ago. But better late than never, especially when the changes are making such a noticeable difference in our daily comfort and health.