5 Cheap Plants That Keep Your Home Cool and Fresh

It’s summer, and that means only one thing: It’s hot — too hot to think, too hot to move, too hot to do anything. You could crank up the air conditioning, but you’ll be paying extra at the end of the month when you get your electricity bill. So why not sit back, relax, and let these houseplants cool the air for free?

So, how do plants cool the air? The simple answer is that through a process called “transpiration,” plants release excess water from their leaves. In other words, they sweat. Through this mechanism, a plant is able to cool itself. 

Now, imagine a forest, filled with hundreds of thousands of plants. Not only will the canopy of greens cool the ground underneath it by providing shade, but the huge numbers of plants transpiring will increase the amount of water vapor in the air. This in turn can lead to the creation of clouds and eventually precipitation, which also helps reduce temperatures. 

At home, you can make your own mini forest with these beautfiful and inexpensive plants that cool the air. Even if the change in indoor temperature isn’t immediately noticeable, you’ll at least have some good-looking greenery around to spruce up your decor and help purify the air. 

Keep scrolling to learn more about the best plants that cool the air in your home.