Choosing the right air-purifying plants for your home not only helps you to detoxify the air in your living spaces but they will also add a pop of colour. In studies conducted by NASA, scientists have identified 50 houseplants that remove many of the pollutants and toxic gases from our indoors. These plants help to remove toxins like Formaldehyde, Benzene, Carbon Mono Oxide, Toluene, Xylene, Ammonia, Suspended Particulate Matter and Trichloroethylene. These toxins can hurt our health resulting in headaches, nausea and Sick building syndrome.
Beyond air quality, plants also make people feel better, by giving off a more positive vibe and lowering blood pressure and stress levels. Indoor plants can also help to reduce mental fatigue. Furnishings, upholstery, synthetic building materials, and cleaning products are mainly responsible for emitting those kinds of toxins. Here are the 10 Best Air Purifying Plants for your home…
1. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
This plant not only gives us fresh air to breathe but also absorbs a variety of VOCs or volatile organic compounds from the air. Peace Lily is widely popular and it also doesn’t require much care. Peace Lily is one of the most affecting air-purifying plants that removes several pollutants from the air including benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, ammonia, xylene and toluene. Flamingo Lily is another plant which also greatly helps to purify the air in our homes by removing formaldehyde, ammonia, xylene and toluene from the air.
2. English ivy (Hedera helix)
English ivy (Hedera helix) and Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum) are the other two of the bests plants for providing fresh air to breathe. English ivy particularly is effective at reducing airborne faecal particles, benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene from the air. And studies have shown that ivy can also help combat mould levels in the home.
3. Snake Plant/Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)
This yellow-tipped succulent releases oxygen at night meaning it helps to get a great night’s sleep. Requiring minimal care, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue can remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene from the air of your home.
4. Chrysanthemum/Potted Mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
Chrysanthemums are beautiful plants which not only add colours to your home with their colourful flowers but will also help you to take in healthier air. It removes benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, ammonia, xylene, toluene and several other known pollutants from the air. These plants require sunlight so it will be best to keep it near balconies or windows.
5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The spider plant is another indoor plant that is considered one of the top varieties for removing VOCs. Spider plants are found to clean formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, carbon monoxide and xylene. These houseplants are also non-toxic to animals, so if you have pets, this one will be perfect. Make sure to water it thoroughly when the top one inch is dried.
6. Barberton Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
The colourful Barberton Daisies will not only cheer you up but also remove toxins like formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene, found in a range of household materials from paints to synthetic fibres. These plants come with diverse coloured shining flowers and require bright light to thrive. Make sure to keep the soil moist but well-drained. Gerbera Daisy is another kind of plants that will add some fun colours to your house and also clean the air.
7. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Bamboo Palm, Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) and Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) are great plants to have in homes as these plants don’t require much care, they are easy to find. The Bamboo Palm, in particular, removes toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene from the air. This plant likes to stay under shade and in humid conditions.
8. Red-Edged Dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
Marginata or Dragon Tree and other plants including the red-edged dracaena, corn plant, Dracaena “Janet Craig”, warneckei and Dracaena Fragrans are all great plants to keep in your homes. Red-Edged Dracaena is particularly one of the best as its removes benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene quite effectively. Also, the bright red trim on the leaves will add a little fun to your home decorations.
9. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata “Bostoniensis”)
Boston Fern, Kimberly Queen Fern and Asparagus Fern are two of the best plants to add to your home for fresh and toxin-free air. The freezy leafy Boston Fern is effective in removing formaldehyde, xylene, toluene and airborne germs, moulds and bacteria from the indoor air.
10. Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)
A Weeping Fig is one of the most popular indoor plants. Weeping figs can help to clean the air from formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. Weeping Figs do need a little care though, keep them in bright light possibly near a window.