NASA discovered that houseplants can absorb harmful toxins from the air, especially in enclosed spaces with little air flow and poor ventilation. Another research suggested that plants play a psychological role in welfare, and that people actually recover faster from illness in the presence of plants.
“The air inside the average home is up to five times more polluted than the air outside”
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside the average home is up to five times more polluted than the air outside. The indoor pollutants adversely affect our health. The most common pollutants include Formaldehyde, Volatile Organic Compounds (like Benzene and Trichloroethylene or TCE), airborne biological pollutants, Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Oxides, Pesticides and Disinfectants (like phenols). Household chemicals come from objects and materials like, carpets, upholstery, glues, ovens, cleaning & bathing solutions, synthetic materials such as plastic, fiber, and rubber. The presence of these pollutants causes symptoms ranging from allergies, headaches and fatigue to series ailments like to nervous-system disorders, or cancer.
So now you know that houseplants are not just an excellent way to spruce up your home, they are also known to have incredible air-purifying qualities. NASA recommends two or three plants in 8 to 10-inch pots for every 100 square feet. Here are top five plants that you should consider growing in your house in order to have better health and cleaner air.
1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider Plant is considered a champion cleanser of air. Several tests conducted by NASA tests show that it can remove around 90% of the potentially cancer-causing chemical formaldehyde from the air. It’s a good idea to keep one of these plants around your kitchen and bathrooms especially, as formaldehyde is found in common household products like adhesives, upholstery and fillers.
2. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
The Peace Lily is a deep, forest green plant with beautiful white flowers. It is a great cleanser and air purifying plant that effectively removes all common indoor pollutants generated by furniture, electronics and cleaning products. It helps filter out harmful benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde toxins from your house.
3. Snake plant (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue)
The Snake Plant, or Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, is one of the most recommended plants for improving indoor air quality. The optimal place to keep this plant is the bedroom, because it converts CO2 into oxygen at night. It’s yellow-tipped succulent leaves releases oxygen at night, helping you to breathe better while sleeping. It is one of the best plants for filtering the air of formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene.
Bamboo Palm
Bamboo plant does an excellent job as an indoor, air purifying plant. It tops the list of plants best for filtering out both benzene and trichloroethylene. This plant is also a good choice for placing around furniture as it absorbs formaldehyde, and continuously removes chemical toxins from the air.
5. The Boston Fern
The Boston Fern has been called as one of the most efficient filtering plant for its ability to expel mold and toxins from indoor air. Plus, it’s appearance gives the home or office a little forest-like look.
Care Advice: The best part about keeping these indoor plants is that they are low maintenance plants which are extremely resilient that can go for days without water and seem to thrive in just about any climate, including those with low light, although they do appreciate direct sunlight and fresh air on occasion. These air purifying plants do well in indirect light/little sunlight with minimal watering.