Best Air-Purifying Plants For A Healthier Home

Plants are natural air purifiers that can help rid your home of indoor pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene. They can also improve soil health, reduce air and soil contamination, and clean toxic chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from paints, fabrics, and plastics. NASA has found that certain plants are capable of filtering pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. While plants can improve air quality, they may not be as effective as air purifiers in removing high concentrations of pollutants. The best plants for air purification include snake plants, spider plants, peace lilies, philodendrons, and English ivy.

Snake plants, devil's ivy, and peace lilies are easy to care for and purify air

Snake plants, devil's ivy, and peace lilies are easy to care for and can effectively purify the air. These plants are known to remove harmful chemicals and increase oxygen levels, improving air quality and offering various health benefits.

Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law's tongue, are resilient and low-maintenance. They can adapt to various lighting conditions and are excellent air purifiers, removing common toxins and allergens from the home environment. Snake plants are also known to release oxygen at night, improving sleep quality. Devil's ivy, or golden pothos, is another robust plant that thrives with minimal care. It is an ideal air purifier, effectively removing toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene. This vine-like plant only needs watering every 7-10 days and can tolerate low-light conditions, making it perfect for those without a green thumb.

Peace lilies are also excellent air purifiers, known for removing pollutants through their leaves and releasing moisture into the air. They are resilient and can thrive indoors with minimal care, making them a popular choice for improving air quality. Peace lilies produce beautiful white flowers, adding a decorative touch to any space. However, occasional repotting and fertilizing may be necessary to maintain their health.

All three plants are easy to care for and offer effective air purification, making them great choices for improving indoor air quality and reaping the associated health benefits, such as better sleep and breathing.

Dracaena, Janet Craig, and cornstalk dracaenas are great at removing pollutants

Plants are nature's air purifiers, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. They can also filter out harmful pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbonyl, particulate matter, and organic compounds. NASA research has shown that certain plants are capable of filtering specific pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

The Janet Craig variety is especially good at removing trichloroethylene and is easy to grow and care for. It can tolerate neglect and low light, making it an excellent choice for offices and homes. Its sap is toxic to animals, so it should be kept out of their reach.

Cornstalk dracaenas, also known as corn plants, are another variety of dracaena that is effective at removing pollutants. They have long, slender leaves that resemble corn stalks, hence their name. These plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight and well-drained soil.

In addition to Dracaena, Janet Craig, and cornstalk dracaenas, other plants that are great at purifying the air include snake plants, philodendrons, English ivy, and peace lilies. While plants can improve air quality, it is important to note that a significant number of plants may be required to make a noticeable difference, especially in larger spaces.

Philodendrons are popular and excellent at removing formaldehyde gases

Plants are nature's air purifiers. They improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, which humans and other living beings need to breathe. Plants can also absorb harmful pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbonyl, particulate matter, organic compounds, nitrates, sulfates, ammonia, calcium, ozone, and carbonate.

Philodendrons are one of the most popular houseplants and are excellent at removing formaldehyde gases. They are also easy to care for and require very little maintenance. The Heart-Leaf (Philodendron cordatum), the Spade leaf (Philodendron domesticum), and the Lacy tree (Philodendron bipinnatifidum) are excellent choices for houseplants. To care for them, remember to regularly mist the leaves to keep them dust-free and let the soil dry until the next watering.

Formaldehyde is a common indoor pollutant that can affect health. It is emitted from household items like insulation, cleaning supplies, paints, varnishes, and other surface treatments. It can irritate the respiratory tract, eyes, and skin, and its effects on health vary according to the level of exposure.

Through photosynthesis, Philodendrons break down gaseous formaldehyde and convert it into sugar, producing energy for the plant. They can absorb formaldehyde through their leaves and roots, removing this toxic chemical from the air and soil. This process is called phytoremediation, which simply means using plants to restore balance to the environment.

The Imperial Red Philodendron is a popular variety known for its ability to remove toxic gases, formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide. It is also effective at removing trichloroethylene and xylene, making it an excellent choice for homes with children or pets. Red Philodendrons are easy-care, non-toxic plants that are also popular with cats.

English ivy is hardy, easy to grow, and can remove most pollutants

English ivy, or Hedera helix, is a hardy, easy-to-grow plant that can remove most pollutants and improve indoor air quality. It is one of NASA's top 10 air-purifying plants, capable of absorbing formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene, as well as other compounds. English ivy is an evergreen perennial vine that originated in Europe and can grow up to 100 feet in length. It is ideal for growing indoors due to its low light requirements, but it prefers to stay cool and should be kept moist with its leaves sprayed weekly to discourage spider mites.

While English ivy is an excellent air purifier, it is important to note that it is poisonous to humans and pets. The leaves and berries contain glycoside hederin, which can cause side effects such as diarrhoea, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, fever, and lack of coordination. As such, it may not be the best choice for those with children or pets, as contact with the plant can also cause skin rashes and allergic reactions. Some people have reported that ingesting English ivy can lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, although research in this area is limited.

Despite its potential benefits, there is some controversy surrounding the safety and effectiveness of English ivy as an indoor plant. The EPA, for example, is sceptical about the ability of houseplants to significantly improve air quality. Furthermore, studies have shown that a large number of plants may be required to effectively purify the air in a home. However, English ivy is still admired for its potential ability to absorb harmful gases, and it can also be ingested as a supplement in capsule or tea form, providing potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Overall, English ivy is a hardy and easy-to-grow plant that can effectively remove many pollutants from the air. However, due to its potential toxicity and controversial effectiveness, it may be wise to exercise caution when bringing English ivy into homes with children or pets.

Spider plants are natural carbon monoxide and formaldehyde absorbers

Spider plants, or Chlorophytum comosum, are natural air purifiers. They are one of the most common houseplants and are easy to mount indoors. Spider plants are safe for pets and children and are non-toxic. They are also one of the easiest houseplants to grow and are almost impossible to kill.

Spider plants are natural absorbers of carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. They are also known to battle other toxins and impurities such as benzene, xylene, ethylbenzene, nitrogen dioxide, and other hazardous gases. Benzene is commonly found in varnishes, detergents, rubber, paints, plastics, inks, oils, dyes, gasoline, and floor finishes. Formaldehyde is commonly found in paper towels, facial tissues, tobacco smoke, gas stoves, adhesive binders in floor coverings, carpet backing, and grocery bags. Xylene is a solvent used in the leather, rubber, and printing industries.

NASA has placed spider plants among the top three types of houseplants that are great at removing formaldehyde. A NASA study also found that spider plants were able to remove 95% of chemicals from the air within 24 hours. Spider plants are also known to remove carbon monoxide, which is commonly found in vehicle, fireplace, stove, and furnace fumes.

Spider plants are a great way to improve indoor air quality. They are natural filters that remove pollutants and enhance the aesthetic appeal of a space. They can reduce stress and improve mood and increase humidity in a dry environment, which can be beneficial for respiratory health.

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