As we spend so much time indoors, maintaining good indoor air quality is essential. According to a recognised NASA Clean Air Study from 1989, some indoor plants can lower indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde.
For lovers of houseplants like the pothos depicted above, this is fantastic news! According to a new study published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, while indoor plants filter the air, they do so at a rate that is too sluggish to make a significant difference.
Even so, every little bit helps, right?
Do we need another excuse to bring nature into our homes?
Continue reading to learn about the best air-purifying plants for removing contaminants, including formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and carbon monoxide.
Table of Contents
English Ivy
English ivy is a classically attractive choice for a groundcover or houseplant that is also excellent for eliminating hazardous toxins prevalent in the home.
It can quickly grow in full shade to whole light, be taught into shapes, and live for several years if properly cared for. Order indoor plants online and add years to your life.
Bamboo Palm
Because the bamboo palm, also known as the reed palm, enjoys part sun or shade, it makes an excellent houseplant that also helps remove toxic chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde.
Chinese Evergreen
The Chinese evergreen is a low-maintenance plant that prefers low to medium light. It usually reaches a height of 1 to 2 feet.
The Chinese evergreen contains an irritant that can be dangerous to pets, even though it helps maintain the home’s healthy air quality.
Gerbera Daisy
This famous annual helps remove benzene and add mood-enhancing beauty to the home when grown indoors. Keep in mind, however, that the gerbera daisy thrives in temperatures of 75 degrees or higher.
Dragon Tree
This plant, which has leaves that range in colour from green to purple, would make a lovely addition to any room, indoors or out. It would also work well in the office because it can withstand low light.
Mother-in-law’s Tongue
Mother-in-tongue law is a hardy succulent that makes a fantastic houseplant for beginners since it can withstand some of the worst circumstances, including a wide range of temperatures and light conditions.
However, take care not to overwater the plants (or to not water at all).
Pot Mum
The pot mum is a cheerful addition to the home in the fall when many other flowering plants are past their best and are suitable for eliminating benzene. Nowadays shopping for plants online has become very convenient as well as popular.
Peace Lily
Peace lilies are easy to care for and even exhibit symptoms of drooping when they need to be watered. They are known for their capacity to resist poisonous chemicals such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide.
It’s crucial to wash your hands after handling the plant because it might be somewhat hazardous to dogs and people.
Mass Cane/Corn Plant
The mass cane/corn plant is one of the most popular Dracaena cultivars for its gorgeous foliage that runs from green to yellow and has been shown to help eliminate formaldehyde from the air.
They are beautiful as trees, but they can also be cultivated as shrubs.
Rubber Tree
The ability of rubber trees to absorb and break down hazardous substances in the air has been demonstrated.
Their broad, glossy leaves also absorb and transform the carbon dioxide we breathe.
Water them periodically and use liquid fertiliser when they’re actively growing in well-drained potting soil. Order online plants from the convenience of your home.
Lemon Button Fern
Lemon button ferns, which are directly related to Boston ferns, are suitable for eliminating toxins and cleansing the air in your home.
They reach a certain height of about a foot and thrive in indirect light with enough humidity.
They can withstand drought better than most ferns, so let their soil dry up a little before watering again.
Pothos
In a NASA clean air study, Pothos Pothos received great honours for removing benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, carbon monoxide, and xylene from the air. Low light is tolerated by these vining tropicals, albeit it may cause their leaves to turn solid green.
Always allow them to trail over the edge of a table in hanging baskets or vases.
Philodendron
Philodendrons exist in a wide range of sizes and colours, with a wide range of leaf forms. Like the ‘Xanadu’ type seen above, these plants adapt well to most settings with medium to bright, indirect light.
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According to the researchers, they eliminate indoor contaminants such as formaldehyde, which may be found in carpets and cleaning products. Shopping for online plants has become much easier with various online websites.
Parlor Palm
Parlor palms have been popular from the Victorian era and remain so today, thanks to their ability to adapt to the dimly lit conditions found in most homes.
According to a NASA study on plants that clean the air, benzene and trichloroethylene can be removed from your home or workplace.
Aloe Vera
Aloes are succulents that are easy to grow and remove benzene and formaldehyde from the air when released by paints, cleaners with chemical ingredients, and other products.
The plants will need to be placed in a bright area of your house. Grow them in a cactus potting or improve drainage by adding perlite or sand to a regular potting mix.
To treat minor burns, use the gel from a broken or cut aloe leaf.