The Best and Worst Indoor Plants for Allergies

By Marksman on January 26, 2022@fizx

Allergy season is fast-approaching, but you may find yourself struggling with allergy symptoms all year long if you have plants at home that can trigger your sensitivities. There are a lot of benefits to keeping plants at home, but anyone with indoor or environmental allergies may struggle with certain types of plants that can release allergens into the air. Even though plants can be great, you don’t want to spend all day sniffling and sneezing. If you want to make sure you don’t have symptoms at home, read on to learn which indoor plants are the best and worse for allergies.

What are the best and worst plants for indoor allergies?

Plants make a great addition to almost any home. The great news for plant lovers is that you can even use a plant delivery service to have your favorite types of greenery delivered right to your doorstep. However, purchasing houseplants can be slightly more complicated for people who have indoor allergies. There are a lot of plants that can produce allergens and trigger environmental sensitivities, and you’ll need to avoid them if you want to be comfortable at home.

While the only way to know for sure what allergies you have is to get an allergy test, there are some plants that are known for triggering an allergic reaction in those with certain sensitivities. Allergy symptoms can range from irritating to legitimately dangerous, so it’s always in your best interest to be cautious. Some plants that anyone with allergies should avoid include chrysanthemums, orchids, marigolds, African violets, and pollen-producing male palms. Bonsai trees should also be avoided, as they can release juniper and cedar allergens.

Fortunately for allergy sufferers, there are plenty of hypoallergenic plants that you can enjoy at home without worrying. There are even certain plants that can alleviate allergy symptoms rather than cause them. Some plants that are ideal for those with allergies are the Areca palm, the peace lily, philodendrons, and the dracaena plant. You should also introduce plants one at a time, so you can gradually adjust to them without overwhelming your immune system.

How can you manage your allergy symptoms?

Many people who have indoor allergies to certain plants also experience similar sensitivities outdoors. For example, ragweed allergy symptoms are incredibly common for environmental allergy sufferers. There are often lifestyle modifications that can help, as can some over-the-counter products, but most people are looking for more long-term solutions. You can look into allergy shots, drops, or even an immunoplasty. Allergy drops are often desirable for their convenience, but shots are covered by many insurance plans. An immunoplasty will provide the fastest relief.

You might be surprised to know that sleep can also make a big difference in how you feel during allergy season. Sleep deprivation can actually weaken your immune system. This means your body won’t be able to defend itself against common illnesses like the flu and the common cold. If you’re exposed to any germs, you’ll be much more likely to get sick. This can also make allergy symptoms feel more severe and impact your ability to rebound and get back to feeling like yourself.

Having allergies doesn’t mean you can’t keep indoor plants, it just means you need to be more selective when deciding which plants to buy. Large leaves and an abundance of flowers can be warning signs that a plant is likely to have allergens you may be sensitive to. If you’re interested in a more permanent solution for allergy symptoms, you may want to consider allergy shots, drops, or an immunoplasty procedure for long-term relief. You’ll need to find out which approach works best for you, but it’s good to know that you don’t have to give up on greenery because of your allergies.