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Regardless of where you live in the world, there’s a chance that your home has common toxins in the air. You could invest in indoor air purifiers to help filter the air, but there is a prettier, less expensive option: plants that clean the air. Many indoor plants may help remove indoor air pollutants from your home. Check out some of the best plants that clean the air.
Potentially Unhealthy Indoor Air
Growing research suggests the air in homes may have more harmful pollutants than the air outside. Poor indoor air quality can result from a number of things, such as:
- Mold caused by humidity
- Household items, like flooring and window drapes made with VOC’s
- Pets and animals in the house
- Common cleaning products, building materials, and pesticides1
Some of the most common household toxins and household chemicals include:
- Formaldehyde
- Mold spores
- Bacteria
- Cigarette smoke
- Animal dander2
Potential Health Effects Of Poor Air Quality
Poor air quality in your environment isn’t great for anyone’s health. It may trigger certain respiratory issues. Studies have shown that this may be particularly the case in children.3
One Option: Indoor Air Filters
One way to improve air quality is to filter the air in your living spaces with indoor air filters. These machines may help remove elements from the air such as allergens, airborne toxins, and fungal spores. All of this has been shown to help support respiratory health.4
However, most indoor filtration systems don’t remove all indoor pollutants.5
Indoor Plants: A Colorful Solution
One potentially great way to better filter your indoor spaces is with common house plants. Compared to electronic devices, plants that clean the air tend to be a gentler solution. Through photosynthesis, plants remove carbon dioxide from the air and replace it with oxygen. Plus, they can get rid of toxins by absorbing or metabolizing the indoor air pollutants without producing any harmful byproduct.6
Five Super Plants That Clean The Air
Plenty of beautiful and popular houseplants may help remove harmful elements from the air. The five potted plants below are especially effective at filtering the air. They’re also easy to care for, making them great for houseplant newbies. Learn more about these super effective plants that clean the air below.
Spider Plant
This easy-to-grow houseplant has long, green leaves. Aside from its sleek look, the spider plant can be a great choice for anyone with dust allergies. In some cases, it can remove nearly 90% of toxins from a room after only a few days. Plus, the glossy leaves soak up mold, carbon monoxide, and airborne formaldehyde.7
Tips For Plant Care
The resilient spider plant is a relatively easy indoor houseplant to care for. It requires bright-to-moderate indirect sunlight and nice, even watering. With proper care, this plant will grow quickly, moving into a bigger pot in about a year.8
Rubber Trees
The rubber tree is an all-star when it comes to purifying the air in your house. Not only does it create the most oxygen of all the house plants, it may also help eliminate a number of toxins from the air. Plus, as part of its own natural defense mechanisms, it absorbs mold spores and bacteria.9
Tips For Plant Care
Rubber plants like lots of bright, indirect light. Try to avoid placing this plant near any windows with direct light, because it can burn its leaves. Water about once a week, and mist the leaves during the summer. In the winter, when the plant is dormant, it’s okay to let the soil dry between watering.10
Pothos
This tropical vine scored big on several NASA tests of the best plants that clean the air. It removed formaldehyde, toluene, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air. You can add these plants to lots of rooms because they tolerate dim lighting. As a vine, they grow great in hanging baskets where they can spread out.11
Tips For Plant Care
Pothos, or Devil’s Ivy, requires very little maintenance. To keep the signature yellow-green leaf colors, this plant prefers light conditions with bright, indirect light. Water generously, but let the soil dry before watering again.12
Aloe Vera
The aloe plant can do more than soothe your skin after a sunburn. This multi-tasking, hardy plant is extra skilled at removing formaldehyde from the air. It also gets special kudos for its ability to consistently release oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide.13
Tips For Plant Care
As a succulent, the aloe plant is accustomed to dry conditions without much water. But, that doesn’t mean you should ignore regular watering. The big, thick leaves still require adequate moisture. That’s why you’ll want to give it a deep watering every so often. Let the soil dry out completely before re-watering.14
Chrysanthemums
Add a pop of color to your indoor garden with these beautiful plants. Chrysanthemums, commonly known as mums, are a popular potted flower in the fall, but they can also be grown indoors. This is great news because these flowers pack a powerful purifying punch. Mums absorb huge amounts of formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.15
Tips For Plant Care
Keep your potted mums in a pot with a tray. This will help keep the soil moist and roots from drying out. Once a day watering should keep your mums happy and thriving all season long.16
A Natural And Beautiful Way To Filter Air
Unfortunately, many household objects and cleaning products release harmful toxins into the air. These common pollutants might diminish indoor air quality. But, you may be able to remove some of these harmful chemicals with a few houseplants.
There are a wide number of plants that clean the air and help to remove many airborne chemicals. Most of these plants look great and require very little effort to maintain. So, head to your local nursery to find an affordable and stylish option for a fresher, cleaner home.
Learn More:
How To Make Dandelion Tea And Health Benefits Of The Dandelion Plant
Top 10 High-Fiber Foods You Should Eat
Do You Need To Change Eating Habits In Your Home?
Sources
1 https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/publications/books/housing/cha05.htm
2 https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/publications/books/housing/cha05.htm
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6016370/
4 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18684328/
5 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16739796/
6 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3230460/
7 https://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/want-cleaner-air-in-your-home-or-office-nasa-says-to-do-this.html
8 https://www.almanac.com/plant/spider-plants
9 https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/best-air-purifying-plants
10 https://www.bobvila.com/articles/rubber-plant-care/
11 https://www.hgtv.com/design/remodel/interior-remodel/10-best-plants-for-cleaning-indoor-air-pictures
12 https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/pothos-plant-care-and-growing-tips
13 https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/g32319013/air-purifying-plants/
14 https://www.almanac.com/plant/aloe-vera
15 https://www.farmersalmanac.com/air-purifying-plants
16 https://www.farmersalmanac.com/keep-your-potted-mums-thriving-this-fall-22593
