You may worry about outdoor air pollution if you live in a city, but actually, most homes also suffer from indoor pollution. Insecticides, plastics, and unnatural air cleaning products like air fresheners are some of the products that can pollute the air inside your home.
Fortunately, indoor plants can help purify the air in your indoor environment. Certain kinds of household plants not only help to purify indoor air, but are also effective in cleansing the air of harmful chemicals like benzene, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde.
How do plants remove toxins from the air? The leaves and roots of the plant absorb polluting gases from the air, and microorganisms in the plant’s soil help neutralize the pollutants.
Let’s explore some of the most common air purifying plants that you can grow in your home.
- English Ivy (Hedera Helix)
English ivy is an elegant choice not only for ground-cover but also a houseplant. It is effective in eliminating harmful chemicals found in the home and can thrive in full shade to full sun. You can also train it into various shapes. Give it proper care, and you will enjoy the beauty of this plant for many years.
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Featuring lush, dark green oval leaves, peace lily is a reliable bloomer with white flowers that look like calla lilies. It’s a hardy, low-maintenance plant that expresses its thirst by dropping its leaves. Peace lily is excellent for reducing toxic VOCs like ammonia. It can also humidify your air, thanks to its high transpiration rate.
- Mass Cane/Corn Plant (Dracaena Fragrans ‘Massangeana’)
Mass cane, also known as corn plant, is one of the most popular varieties of Dracaenas. You can credit that to its charming foliage, which ranges from green to yellow.
Corn plant has been proven to be effective in removing formaldehyde. While it looks spectacular in tree form, it can also be grown as a shrub.
- Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
If you are looking to fill a larger space with a houseplant, you can’t go wrong with a rubber tree. Rubber trees feature thick, leathery, and glossy dark green leaves. Under proper conditions, and relatively dry soil, this tree can reach ceiling height.
It can do well even in dim lighting and colder climates. It is a potent toxin remover and air purifier, and is perfect for spaces with furniture made from formaldehyde-based glues.
- Golden Pothos (Epipremnum)
Featuring yellow-speckled, heart-shaped trailing leaves, golden pothos works best when placed in the kitchen or living room as a hanging plant.
It thrives in low light and cool temperatures. Also known as devil’s ivy, it is excellent for clearing formaldehyde from the air.
- Red-Edged Dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
This slow-growing shrub can reach up to 15 feet in height. It is quite compact and will properly utilize whatever floor space you can give it.
For maximum effect, place one in a high-ceilinged room with moderate sunlight. Water it occasionally. You’ll enjoy some surprising color from its red-trimmed leaves.
Red-edged dracaena eliminates gases released by trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, and xylene. These chemicals normally come from sealers, vanishes, and lacquers.
- Wax Begonia (Begonia semperflorens)
Wax begonia is another one of the best indoor plants that clean the air. Place it in an area with plenty of sunlight, and wax begonia will produce beautiful clusters of flat white, red, or pink flowers in the summer.
This semi-woody succulent plant is excellent for filtering out benzene and chemicals generated by toluene. Toluene is a liquid present in some adhesives and waxes.
- Sanseveria (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Sanseveria features stiff, upright blades slightly variegated with yellow. This low-maintenance plant can reach up to 4 feet high. It thrives in moderate to bright light.
If you are looking for the best plants for oxygen, Sanseveria should top the list. Working at night, it absorbs carbon dioxide from your environment and releases oxygen. This also makes it one of the best air purifying plants for bedroom areas. Moreover, sanseveria has been proven to be effective in treating eye irritation, respiratory problems, and headaches. It also raises overall energy levels.
Conclusion
Indoor plants not only look great and enrich the ambiance of your home, but they also clean toxic pollutants, like benzene and formaldehyde, from your air. If you are having difficulties finding the best indoor plants for clean air, you can use this list for inspiration.
