Mould is going to be a big problem for many households with the autumn and winter season soon approaching.

Early signs of mould are not always noticed by homeowners, which can lead to large issues further down the line.

Mould can grow just about anywhere but is most commonly found in areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, basements, cabinets, and near pipes or ducting areas. 

It only needs a few elements to grow and spread throughout your home, the key element being moisture.

Instead of using bleach and other mould-fighting chemicals for cleaning, Jo Trotman at premium window and door designer The Residence Collection has shared the six best houseplants to put in your windows to help remove and prevent the issue.

1. Peace lilies 

Peace lilies enjoy rooms with high humidity and low to moderate sunlight, such as bathrooms and kitchens. 

The peace lily has air-purifying abilities and can reduce moisture in the air through its leaves to “prevent mould growth”. 

Their elegant white flowers bring a sense of tranquillity and beauty to spaces such as living rooms, bedrooms and dining areas. 

2. English ivy 

The English ivy’s dense foliage is ideal for trapping particles in the air, making this plant “highly effective at ridding homes of unwanted mould spores and absorbing extra moisture”, claimed Jo.

Thriving in sunlight, place the English ivy on your windowsill where it can be protected by blinds or sheer curtains, such as in living rooms.

3. Spider plants

Spider plants are great for filtering out air pollutants and absorbing that extra moisture, as well as improving your indoor air quality, which prevents mould formation. 

Spider Plants, like English ivy with their love for bright, indirect light, are perfect for windows in living rooms, kitchens or other well-lit areas of the home.

4. Boston ferns

Boston Ferns are “fantastic” at balancing the humidity in your home, making it “less favourable for mould to grow”. 

They too thrive in indirect light and love high humidity, so they are perfect for sprucing up your bathroom or kitchen windowsills.

5. Snake plants

Snake Plants are “excellent” at absorbing toxins and moisture from the air, “reducing the damp conditions that mould loves”. 

They also release oxygen at night, enhancing the air quality in your home. Their adaptability to various light conditions makes them perfect for any window in your home.

6. Aloe vera

Aloe Vera is a “natural mould fighter”, thanks to its moisture-absorbing and antifungal properties.

It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight, making it a great choice for sunny window sills to reduce humidity and keep mould at bay.