Plants That Actively Fight Pollution And Purify Air

Plants are a natural way to reduce air pollution. They can help to improve air quality and make cities better habitats for both wildlife and people. In fact, NASA discovered that houseplants can absorb harmful toxins from the air, especially in enclosed spaces with little airflow. Some plants are better at filtering pollutants than others, and factors such as canopy size, leaf size, and leaf structure play a role in how effective a plant is at reducing pollution. For example, conifers are very effective at trapping pollutants due to their dense canopy of needle-like leaves. Additionally, plants can increase oxygen levels, enhance concentration and memory, and reduce stress and fatigue.

Plants that absorb formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene

Plants are nature's own air purifiers, and some plants are more effective at filtering certain chemicals than others. Here are some plants that can help reduce indoor air pollution by absorbing formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene:

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a sun-loving, easy-to-grow succulent that helps filter benzene and formaldehyde. It requires plenty of sunlight and minimal watering. You can keep it in a small pot near a window to reap its benefits.

Spider Plant

The Spider Plant, also known as the Air Plant, grows and spreads quickly. In addition to combating carbon monoxide, it also helps absorb formaldehyde and benzene. Spider plants are low-maintenance and do not require direct sunlight or cold weather.

Snake Plant

The Snake Plant, also known as mother-in-law's tongue due to its shape and texture, is known for filtering formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, and benzene. Unlike most plants, the snake plant absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at night, making it ideal for indoor air purification.

Bamboo Palm

The Bamboo Palm is excellent for filtering benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene. It is a pretty indoor plant that does not require frequent watering and thrives with less water than most plants.

Warneck Dracaena

The Warneck Dracaena is commonly found in offices as it combats pollutants from paints, detergents, varnishes, and oils. It does not require direct sunlight and can grow up to 12 feet in room temperature.

Peace Lily

The Peace Lily is easy to maintain, requiring low to medium amounts of water and sunlight. It will even bloom in low light conditions. Peace lilies will let you know when they need water as their leaves will start to droop. However, be cautious as ingesting their leaves can be harmful.

Rubber Tree

The Rubber Tree, a member of the ficus (fig) family, is another plant that can help absorb formaldehyde. It is tolerant of sparse watering and medium to high light conditions. However, be cautious of the milky latex that is released when its leaves are broken, as it is harmful if ingested.

Plants that absorb carbon monoxide

Certain plants are known to absorb carbon monoxide and reduce pollution. According to NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA), indoor plants can remove low levels of pollution from the air through the tiny openings in their leaves.

One of the most effective plants for removing carbon monoxide is the spider plant, which can remove up to 96% of carbon monoxide from the air in a closed chamber within 24 hours. Other plants that are effective at removing carbon monoxide include the gerbera daisy, bamboo palm, Chinese evergreen, English ivy, and peace lily. These plants are also known to remove other indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.

In addition to indoor plants, trees such as conifers, pines, and cypresses are excellent natural purifiers of particulate matter, a form of outdoor air pollution.

It is important to note that while plants can help reduce pollution, the most effective way to improve air quality is to reduce emissions of pollutants.

Plants that absorb nitrogen dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a significant pollutant in both outdoor and indoor environments, with exposure linked to serious respiratory illnesses, decreased lung function, and airway inflammation.

Potted plants can help reduce NO2 levels indoors, and researchers from the University of Birmingham have found that houseplants can remove NO2 by up to 20%, depending on the conditions.

The following three species of houseplants were found to be particularly effective in reducing NO2 levels:

Spathiphyllum wallisii (Peace Lily)

Commonly known as the peace lily, this flowering houseplant is known for bringing good luck and health, in addition to its air-purifying properties. It can remove several common indoor air pollutants, including benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, ammonia, xylene, and toluene.

Dracaena fragrans (Corn Plant)

Also known as the corn plant, this houseplant features beautiful snake-like shaded leaves. It has been proven to get rid of pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene. It is a hardy plant that can survive low sunlight and irregular watering patterns.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Fern Arum)

The fern arum is another effective air-purifying houseplant. It was found to remove around half of the NO2 in a chamber within just one hour.

In addition to these specific species, indoor plants in general are known to help combat air pollution. For example, aloe vera can help filter benzene and formaldehyde, which come from carpets and particle boards, and spider plants can combat carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and benzene.

Plants that absorb sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide

Plants are an excellent way to reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution. They are often seen as the "lungs" of an ecosystem as they absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. But they also act as an ecosystem's "liver", filtering atmospheric pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide through their leaves.

Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are both harmful pollutants that can be absorbed by certain plants. Sulphur dioxide is particularly harmful to plants as it inhibits photosynthesis by disrupting the photosynthetic mechanism. It also promotes the opening of the stomata, resulting in an excessive loss of water.

One study found that petunia plants (Petunia hybrida Vilm.) of three varieties with differing air pollutant sensitivities were effective in absorbing sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. The absorption rates of these pollutants were generally greater for the more sensitive varieties and when the plants were exposed to single gases rather than a mixture of gases.

While trees are generally effective at reducing air pollution, some trees are more effective at filtering pollutants than others. For example, conifers like pines and cypresses are good natural purifiers due to their dense canopy structure and seasonal biology. They are evergreen species that act as year-round filters.

In addition to trees, there are several indoor plants that can help reduce air pollution, including:

• Peace lily: a flowering house plant that removes benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, ammonia, xylene, toluene, and several other known pollutants from the air.
• Snake plant: also known as mother-in-law's tongue, this plant filters formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, and benzene from the air. Unlike regular plants, the snake plant absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at night.
• Aloe vera: a sun-loving plant that helps filter benzene and formaldehyde that comes from carpets and particle boards. Its extract also aids in healing cuts, burns, and skin problems.
• Spider plant: also known as an air plant, the spider plant fights against carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and benzene.

By incorporating these plants into your home or garden, you can help reduce the levels of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide in your environment.

Plants that reduce smog

Plants are a great way to counter pollution. They are nature's air purifiers, cleaning the air of toxins and pollutants. They are particularly effective at removing particulate matter (PM), which comes in the form of tiny particles of organic chemicals, acids, metals, and dust. These particles are emitted from fossil-fuel-burning vehicles, factories, and construction sites.

Conifers

Conifers, such as pines and cypresses, are very effective in removing particulate matter due to their evergreen nature, which makes them active throughout the year. They have a dense canopy of needle-like leaves that are very effective at trapping pollutants.

Silver Birch, Yew, and Elder Trees

These trees have been found to trap up to 70% of particulates. Their leaves have tiny hairs that play a significant role in trapping the solid and liquid particles that make up PM.

Native Trees

Native trees are ideal choices as they are well-adapted to local soil, weather, and resistant to many insects and diseases. They also require less management than non-native trees.

Large-Leaved Plants

Plants with larger leaves trap more particulates. Examples include the Boston fern, which is an effective air purifier and also makes for beautiful home decor.

Snake Plant (Sanseveria)

The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law's tongue, filters pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene. It is a low-maintenance plant that can survive with little sunlight and irregular watering.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a sun-loving plant that helps filter benzene and formaldehyde from the air. It has multiple benefits, including aiding in healing cuts, burns, and skin problems.

Pothos

Commonly known as the money plant, pothos is an effective air purifier, reducing common household air pollutants, including benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene. It is a hardy plant that can survive extreme situations.

Peace Lily

The peace lily is a flowering house plant known to bring good luck and health. It can remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, ammonia, xylene, toluene, and several other known pollutants from the air. It is low maintenance and blooms profusely during the summer.

Spider Plant

The spider plant, also known as the air plant, grows and spreads quickly. It fights against carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and benzene. It does not require direct sunlight or cold weather, making it suitable for homes and offices.

Bamboo Palm

The bamboo palm is an excellent indoor plant that filters out benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene. It is low maintenance and does well with less water.

Warneck Dracaena

The Warneck Dracaena combats pollutants that come with paints, detergents, varnishes, and oils. It does not require direct sunlight and can grow up to 12 feet in room temperature.

Maple

Varieties of maple are also very good at trapping air pollution particles.

In addition to these specific plants, increasing green spaces and incorporating native flowers, grasses, and other plants can also help purify the air and encourage biodiversity.

Frequently asked questions