Our relationship with plants is much deeper than we think. Plants make our world habitable. However, with civilization grows, our house air became more polluted with increasing usage of everyday household items. The most common chemicals in the indoor air are Trichloroethylene (TCE), Formaldehyde (HCHO) and Benzene which mainly released from our home furniture, paints, plastics, cleaning products, adhesives, sprays, etc. Inhaling air with a high concentration of these chemicals cause various health problems even cancer and death. NASA study shows that houseplants can improve indoor air quality dramatically by removing toxins with its leaves, roots, soils, and its associated microorganisms. Here are the 7 best air purifying plants that can effectively remove toxins from indoor air according to the NASA study.
7 best air purifying plants
- English ivy (Hedera helix)
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria laurentii)
- Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
- Janet Craig (Dracaena deremensis)
- Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
- Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
- Green spider plant (Chlorophytum elatum)
1. English ivy (Hedera helix)
English ivy, one of the best air purifying plants that is capable of absorbing chemicals from the air at a higher rate. It can effectively remove TCE, Formaldehyde, and Benzene from the air. The plant can grow in indoors with a good source of light. It does not prefer much watering, and it’s easy to care. The plant itself is toxic for pets.
2. Snake Plant (Sansevieria laurentii)
Snake plant, also known as the mother-in-law’s tongue is a super decorative houseplant that removes various volatile organic compounds from the air. The plant is robust, and it can survive with a low light source and less watering. Snake plant most likely purifies the air by converting carbon dioxide to oxygen at night. It also absorbs TCE, Formaldehyde, and Benzene. Caring is super easy, and you can keep it near the heavily chemical-concentrated area in your house. Snake plant is toxic for pets.
3. Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
The specific variety of Chinese evergreen which is also known as “Silver Queen” for its silver shades on its leaves is another toxin remover plant. It can survive fine with low lights and less care, which is ideal for growing in indoors. Silver Queen is capable of removing various VOCs from indoor air. It mainly removes Formaldehyde and Benzene. The plant itself is toxic for pets.
4. Janet Craig (Dracaena deremensis)
Janet Craig is another low-light-surviving houseplant which has been popular among houseplants for a long time. The plant was examined in the NASA study, and the outcome was great. It does not like moisty soil, so the soil needs drainage well. It can grow up to 10 feet high. All the variety of Dracaena is toxic to pets.
5. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
The Peace Lily is one most amazing houseplants which degrade multiple toxin chemicals even ammonia from the air. The plant is also known as white sails, and it also blooms beautifully. It needs moist soil and medium-light to survive. There are many varieties of it, and NASA used Mauna Loa variety to study. Peace Lily is mildly toxic to pets.
6. Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Bamboo palm is another beautiful evergreen houseplants that can remove toxins, especially Formaldehyde with its greater leaf surface area. It can grow in different light conditions and can grow well at low light. The soil needs to keep moisty all the time. Bamboo palms leaves are safe for pets.
7. Green spider plant (Chlorophytum elatum)
The spider plant is low-care houseplants with its beautiful striped leaves. The plant and its soil absorb chemicals, especially Formaldehyde at a high rate. The plant is easy to care, suitable for both low and bright light, and you can water them occasionally. It has many varieties, and the Green spider plant is the most common one. The Green Spider plant is non-toxic for pets.
You can improve your indoor air quality by growing houseplants. Although only houseplants cannot fight on heavily contaminated air. By using an air purifier for smoke along with houseplants can be a great idea to keep the air clean from toxin chemicals. A good air quality monitor will help you to examine the toxin level in your indoor air.
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