These houseplants will boost wellbeing at home and work

Eve Kelliher finds three top air-purifying plants for homes and offices and sources maps with meaning to personalise your living space

Indoor plants can also take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen that will help to remove some harmful substances from the air you’re breathing. Picture: iStock

I'm doing my best to ensure those office buddies of mine that help boost productivity are happy and thriving. Keep your friends close, as the saying begins — well, let’s just say these are the pals I keep in pots, sometimes so close they perch on my desk.

Not only do plants look appealing, but they also earn their keep by enriching our health. All houseplants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. In 1989, Nasa conducted research to see if plants could be used to filter the air in sealed environments such as a spaceship or moon base. The study showed that those varieties with large, broad leaves can effectively remove certain toxins from the air.