Bring the Outdoors, Indoors: Top Houseplants To Keep

It’s always refreshing to visit one of the many parks in and around Beijing – getting away from the claustrophobic-inducing smog, the ever-present wall of noise, and becoming one with nature, so to speak. It’s such a shame to feel like you can only appreciate foliage in a park setting, why not bring a touch of spring home by investing in a houseplant?

There are many benefits to maintaining a plant (other than proving you’re adult enough to look after something other than yourself) and one exemplary advantage, especially for the many of us who choke down delicious Beijing smog, is that some plants are capable of air purification. Below are plants with proven benefits (tested by both NASA and one leading expert, Dr B.C. “Bill” Wolverton) in reducing certain atmospheric pollutants:

Peace Lily
波士顿 蕨冷杉, 肾蕨
Bōshìdùn jué lěngshān, shèn jué

Money Plant/Golden Pothos
巴西木的  
bāxī mù de

Snake Plant
心叶 蔓绿绒 
Xīn yè màn lǜ róng

Florist’s Daisy/Florist's Mum
金伯利女王冷杉
Jīnbólì nǚwáng lěngshān

Lucky for us, Beijing is home to a number of warehouse-sized flower markets where you can go hunting for your chosen plant, be it something beautiful or beneficial. We think you’ll have the best luck finding your perfect plant at one of these locations:

Lai Tai Flower Market
An almost endless stretch of row upon row of plants in every shape, size, and color. Expect to find some rare and unusual plants.

Yuquanying Flower Market
A great place for pretty flowers, and cheap too with tulips and posies starting as little as RMB 6 per bulb.

Liangmaqiao Flower Market
Invigorate your nostrils here as you'll be hard pressed to find a more natural smelling environment. With a ton of individual vendors be prepared to get your haggle on.

For more inspiration, keep an eye out for the late bloom of the Cherry Blossoms in Yuyuantan Park, or head over to the ongoing Tulip Festival (daily 6am-9pm, until mid-May) held in Zhongshan Park or the Agricultural Carnival (ends May 4), all of which are ideal for cultivating more inspiration for your own indoor wilderness.

Sidenote: Though most plants are enjoyable to keep, be careful if you have children or pets as some plants may be poisonous. We encourage you to research and select the best plant for your environment.

Translations sourced: healthandsafetyinshanghai
Photos: Courtesy of meiguoxing, plantoftheweek, nairanaira, powerhousegrowers, finegardening