House plants are a great way to add some greenery to your home, and they also serve a secondary function as air purifiers. House plants help filter out pollutants and chemicals from the air in our homes and offices. Studies have shown that having just one house plant can significantly improve indoor air quality.
There are many different house plants that you may use as air purifiers to choose the one that best fits your needs and décor. Here are some of the best air-purifying house plants:
Aloe Vera
This succulent is easy to care for, but it also does a great job of purifying the air. Aloe vera plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which helps to improve indoor air quality.
The plants will thrive in a sunny location in your house. To improve drainage, place them in a cactus soil mix or add perlite or sand to a regular potting mix. Treating minor burns with the gel from a broken or cut aloe leaf is an excellent idea.
Bamboo Palm
The bamboo palm is suitable for larger rooms or offices since it can grow up to 10 feet tall. Bamboo palms help remove formaldehyde and other toxins from the air, making them ideal for homes with small children or pets.
Because the bamboo palm, or reed palm, likes sun or shade and moist soil partially, it’s advisable to plant it near a window where it will get indirect light. These plants are also noted for their drought tolerance, so you won’t worry about over watering them.
Boston fern
The Boston fern is a beautiful plant that does an excellent job of purifying the air. Boston ferns are especially good at removing formaldehyde from the air. This unique skill makes them an excellent choice for homes or offices where there is a lot of this toxin.
Boston ferns need a cool place with high humidity and indirect light. They prefer moist but not soggy soil, so be sure to water them regularly. You can also mist the ferns to help increase humidity.
Spider plant
The spider plant is a hardy plant that thrives indoors. Spider plants absorb carbon dioxide and other toxins from the air, making them ideal for purifying indoor air.
The easy-care houseplant thrives in bright, indirect light. The plant works hard to eliminate harmful pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene from the air. Spider plants dislike soggy soil, so allow them to dry out slightly between waterings.
Golden Pothos
The golden pothos is a fast-growing vine that you can use to purify the air in your home or office. Golden pothos plants help remove carbon dioxide and other toxins from the air. They’re an excellent choice for improving indoor air quality.
Pothos got high marks in a NASA clean air research for removing benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, carbon monoxide, and xylene from the air. These tropical vining plants can withstand limited light; however, their leaves may revert to solid green if exposed to too much light. Use them in hanging baskets or pots and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Dracaena
The dracaena plant is a popular houseplant that does an excellent job of purifying the air. Dracaena plants help remove carbon dioxide and other toxins from the air, making them ideal for improving indoor air quality.
This easy-care houseplant can tolerate low light; however, the leaves may be yellow if the plant is not getting enough light. Dracaenas prefer well-drained soil and should be allowed to dry out between waterings.
Philodendron
The philodendron is a fast-growing vine commonly used as an indoor plant. Philodendrons help remove carbon dioxide and other toxins from the air. They’re an excellent choice for improving indoor air quality.
Philodendrons vary in size and hue, with leaves that may be circular, triangular, or arrow-shaped. They need well-drained soil, and you should water less frequently.
Peace Lily
The peace lily is a popular house plant that purifies the air. Peace Lilies help remove toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air. They’re an excellent choice for improving indoor air quality.
Peace lilies fight against toxic gases. They are relatively easy to care for, and you will know when you need to water them because they will droop. Peace lilies can be mildly toxic to pets and humans, so it is essential to wash your hands after touching them.
Conclusion: House Plants that Improve Air Quality
House plants aren’t just aesthetically pleasing – they can also purify the air in your home or office. House plants help remove carbon dioxide and other toxins from the air, making them an excellent choice for improving indoor air quality. When selecting house plants to use as air purifiers, it’s essential to choose plants that thrive in the conditions you can provide.
House plants known for purifying the air include Boston ferns, spider plants, golden pothos, dracaenas, philodendrons, and peace lilies.
House plants can play an essential role in improving the air quality in your home or office, so choose wisely and enjoy the benefits of cleaner air.