5 Plants That Will Cool Your Home Naturally

In the summertime and climates with warmer temperatures, it can seem like no amount of fans, air conditioners, or open windows can cool down your home. Plus, the electricity it takes to run fans and cooling units can rack up costs and harmful emissions for the environment.

Fortunately, there are ways to keep your home cool that are cost-efficient and better for the environment. Plants are natural coolers, and they add a lot of greenery to your home. Trees and other plants go through transpiration, which is the cooling effect. Plant roots take up water and nutrients from the soil to deliver to the leaves. Some of the water leaves through pores in the leaves, which is similar to sweating. When the water evaporates, it removes heat from the air.

If you’re looking for affordable and environmentally friendly ways to beat the heat, add one of these five plants that will cool your home naturally.

1. Weeping Fig

The Ficus Benjamina, also known as the weeping fig, is actually a tree, and it grows extremely well indoors. It has a lot of leaves, which means there’s a lot of potential for transpiration. Weeping figs have bushier tops, making them a great statement piece for your home.

If you opt to purchase a weeping fig for your home, make sure you keep it hydrated, especially if you place it by a window or under direct light. Find one that has a taller trunk to serve as a mini forest for other plants below it.

2. Boston Fern

Boston ferns are another excellent option for plants that will cool your home. They humidify the air and add a green touch to your home. A bonus of this plant is that it helps purify the air by removing pollutants like formaldehyde.

Hang this plant from a wall to let the fronds hang, or get a large pot to plant it because it can grow to a large size. Keep this plant out of direct sunlight, which can quickly dry it out. Additionally, regularly mist the leaves to ensure it continues to work as a cooling plant.

3. Bamboo Palm

Bamboo palm is a medium-sized plant with large leaves and a powerful cooling system. It has larger leaves, which help it transpire. It’s relatively easy to take care of as long as you keep it in indirect sunlight and mist it regularly, especially in hotter times of the year.

Besides planting bamboo indoors, you can take it outside, too. Planting this palm outdoors helps create natural shade. It grows quickly, and if you strategically plant it around your home to block the sunlight, you’ll have an added cooling effect.

4. Aloe Vera

The benefits of aloe vera are many. Aloe is an effective plant to cool your home. It helps regulate the temperature, keeping your home free of heat. Like the Boston fern, aloe plants purify the air by removing formaldehyde.

Aloe vera comes in handy, too, when you need to heal a sunburn or minor cut. It’s an easy-to-care-for plant, and it adds green beauty to your home!

5. Snake Plant

Finally, the snake plant naturally cools your home too. This plant is also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, and it is often a recommended plant for improving air quality in homes. It is a low-maintenance plant as well, meaning you can leave it and pretty much forget about it.

The snake plant releases oxygen at night, which keeps you cool. Its larger leaves make it efficient at transpiring, too. Add this plant throughout your home for an increased cooling effect.

Which Plants Will You Add?

Adding plants to your home beautifies it, cleans the air, and keeps it cool on even the hottest days. Which plant will you add to your house first?