Natural air conditioning: Indoor plants can help keep things cool

Plants are known to improve the room climate and on hot days, they even help to lower the indoor temperature. — CHRISTIN KLOSE/dpa

When temperatures are rising outside, a cool home is all the more important. But what if all the usual means – ventilating the rooms, darkening the windows – fail to bring relief?

Before cranking up the AC, why not resort to some natural helpers to create a pleasant indoor climate – namely, the right kind of greenery.