Brian Barton
Houseplants are a great way to improve indoor air quality and boost your health. Plants naturally remove toxins from the air, inspire creativity and focus, increase mental health, serve as natural humidifiers, and bring life to a home. NASA research has found that certain plants are capable of filtering pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. Some of the best indoor plants for removing pollution include the peace lily, bamboo palm, spider plant, English ivy, and the dracaena. These plants are not only attractive but also effective in improving air quality and reducing indoor air pollution.
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What You'll Learn
- The Peace Lily removes alcohols, acetone, trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde
- The Boston Fern removes xylene, toluene, and benzene
- The Dracaena removes trichloroethylene and tolerates neglect and dim lighting
- The English Ivy reduces particles of fecal matter and mould in the air
- The Ficus Alii removes chemical vapours and resists most insects
The Peace Lily removes alcohols, acetone, trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde
Peace lilies are lush, glossy houseplants that are aesthetically appealing and excellent at purifying the air. They are low-maintenance, thriving in low light and a range of temperatures, and only need to be watered monthly during the growing season. They are also known for their ability to remove certain pollutants from the air.
The peace lily absorbs these pollutants through its leaves and sends them to its roots, where they are broken down by microbes in the soil. This makes peace lilies very effective at removing alcohols, acetone, trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde from the air. To maximise the air-purifying effects of peace lilies, it is recommended to expose the topsoil of the pot to the air. This allows pollutants to be absorbed directly into the soil and broken down.
Research by NASA has found the peace lily to be one of the best plants for creating a healthy atmosphere in a sealed environment, such as a space station. The plant is highly efficient at removing VOC pollutants, including benzene, formaldehyde, acetone, and toluene. Further studies have confirmed and emphasised the purification abilities of peace lilies, leading researchers to recommend growing them in homes and offices.
In addition to improving air quality, peace lilies also have aesthetic and psychological benefits. They enhance the appeal of a space and can reduce stress and improve mood. Peace lilies are also beneficial for respiratory health as they increase humidity in dry environments. Overall, peace lilies are an excellent choice for those seeking to improve the air quality and aesthetic of their indoor spaces.
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The Boston Fern removes xylene, toluene, and benzene
The Boston Fern is a highly effective air-purifying plant. Ferns, in general, are one of the oldest groups of plants and are best known for their ability to filter out xylene, toluene, and benzene pollutants. The Boston Fern is also less prone to shedding than its cousin, the Kimberly Queen Fern, and it thrives in indirect sunlight.
Xylene, toluene, and benzene are all harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are gases released from paints, fabrics, wallpaper, carpeting, plastics, and solvents commonly found in homes. They can cause medical problems.
The Boston Fern is an incredibly versatile plant that is just as good at clearing the air as it is at soothing burns and scrapes. Ferns are natural air purifiers that help rid homes of indoor pollutants. They are also ornamental and can enhance the aesthetic appeal of a space, which can reduce stress and improve mood.
NASA research found that living plants are so efficient at absorbing contaminants in the air that some will be launched into space as part of the biological life support system aboard future orbiting space stations.
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The Dracaena removes trichloroethylene and tolerates neglect and dim lighting
The Dracaena is a hardy plant with dark green leaves, making it an attractive houseplant. It is also referred to as the corn plant and can grow quite tall. Dracaena is one of the best plants for removing trichloroethylene, a common indoor pollutant found in printing inks, varnishes, adhesives, and lacquers.
The Dracaena is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to grow and tolerates neglect and dim lighting. It prefers to be kept moist in a semi-sunny to shady location. The 'Janet Craig' variety of Dracaena is especially good at removing trichloroethylene and is well-suited for an office or home environment.
In addition to its air-purifying capabilities, the Dracaena is believed to improve attention span and boost memory, making it an ideal plant for your home or office. It is a climbing evergreen perennial that can grow up to 50 feet tall.
The Dracaena is just one of many plants that have been found to improve indoor air quality. Studies by NASA and Dr. Wolverton have shown that indoor plants can effectively remove pollutants and enhance air quality. Other recommended plants include the Peace Lily, English Ivy, and the Ficus Alii, which are all effective at removing chemical vapors and indoor toxins.
Overall, the Dracaena is an excellent choice for those seeking a low-maintenance plant that can tolerate neglect and dim lighting while also improving indoor air quality by removing trichloroethylene and other pollutants.
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The English Ivy reduces particles of fecal matter and mould in the air
English Ivy (Hedera helix) is a classic, versatile plant that can adapt to various lighting conditions and add greenery to almost any indoor or outdoor setting. It is a popular, hardy plant that is easy to grow and care for. It grows best in bright, indirect light but can tolerate low-light conditions.
English Ivy is believed to improve indoor air quality by removing harmful gases and pulling particles of indoor air pollutants from the air, including fecal matter, mould spores, formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. However, it may not be effective at purifying the air inside a large space, such as a home, and it does not remove certain allergens like pet dander, pollen, or dust.
In a NASA study, English Ivy was found to reduce levels of formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air within a small test chamber. These are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are known carcinogens. Another study by Dr. Wolverton found that when placed in sealed chambers in the presence of specific chemicals, plants removed those chemicals from the chambers.
Despite its potential benefits, English Ivy has some drawbacks. It is poisonous to humans and pets, containing glycoside hederin in its leaves and berries, which can cause side effects ranging from mild to severe. Additionally, it may attract pests like spider mites and aphids, and it is susceptible to fungal issues in overly humid or wet conditions.
Overall, English Ivy is a popular choice for indoor spaces due to its aesthetic appeal and purported ability to reduce air pollutants, including particles of fecal matter and mould. However, it is important to consider the potential risks associated with its toxicity and the possibility of pest infestations.
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The Ficus Alii removes chemical vapours and resists most insects
The Ficus Alii is a beautiful, ornamental fig plant with slender, willow-like leaves that sprout in hues of bronze and then turn emerald green as the plant matures. Ficus Alii is native to India, Asia, and Malaysia and is a great addition to your houseplant collection. It is also known as Ficus Maclellandii, Ficus Binnendiijkii, and Banana Leaf Fig.
Ficus Alii is an excellent indoor plant for removing chemical vapours and resisting most insects. It is one of the best plants for improving air quality indoors, as it removes toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from tainted indoor air. It grows best in a space with bright, indirect light and can adapt to spaces with bright direct light. It prefers a humid environment and full or semi-sunlight, although it will tolerate lower light conditions. Its ideal temperature range is between 65°F and 85°F (16-24°C).
Ficus Alii is easy to care for and is a perfect beginner houseplant. It is a low-maintenance plant and is not fussy about watering. However, it is important to note that it does not like sitting in water, so make sure to allow the water to soak into the soil and dry out before watering again. It is also important to use pots with drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.
Ficus Alii is mildly toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so be sure to keep it away from curious children and pets. It is also sensitive to boron, so avoid using fertilizers with chemical boron. Regularly dusting the leaves helps keep the plant healthy and reduces the risk of infestations.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the best indoor plants for removing pollution include the peace lily, the spider plant, the bamboo palm, the pothos, the English ivy, the dracaena, the Ficus Alii, and the Boston fern.
These plants are known to remove toxins such as alcohols, acetone, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, toluene, and xylene.
In addition to removing toxins, indoor plants can improve air quality by increasing humidity, reducing levels of CO2, and acting as natural humidifiers. They can also improve mental health, inspire creativity and focus, and bring life to a home.
