Best Houseplants For Clean Air

Best Houseplants for Clean Air: Breathe Easy with Indoor Plants

Introducing greenery into your home not only adds aesthetic value but also offers numerous health benefits. Certain houseplants have remarkable air-purifying qualities, effectively removing harmful toxins and pollutants from the indoor air. These plants act as natural air purifiers, improving indoor air quality and creating a healthier living environment.

NASA's Clean Air Study

In the late 1980s, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducted a groundbreaking study on the ability of houseplants to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. VOCs are emitted from various household products, such as cleaning supplies, paints, and furniture, and can cause health issues like headaches, nausea, and respiratory problems.
The NASA study identified several houseplants that excel at removing specific VOCs. These plants were found to reduce indoor air pollution levels by up to 87%.

Top Picks for Air Purification

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

: This resilient plant is known for its ability to thrive in low-light conditions and remove a wide range of VOCs, including benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.
2.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)

: This elegant plant not only purifies the air but also produces beautiful white flowers. It effectively reduces benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene levels.
3.

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

: This versatile plant can be grown indoors or outdoors and is highly effective at removing benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene from the air.
4.

Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

: This fast-growing vine is easy to care for and helps reduce benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide levels.
5.

Dracaena Marginata (Dragon Tree)

: This striking plant is known for its unique appearance and ability to remove benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.
6.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

: In addition to its medicinal properties, aloe vera is also an effective air purifier, removing benzene and formaldehyde.
7.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

: This low-maintenance plant is a great choice for beginners and helps reduce benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide levels.
8.

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

: This shade-tolerant plant is known for its hardiness and ability to remove benzene, toluene, and xylene from the air.
9.

Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig)

: This popular indoor tree is highly effective at removing benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.
10.

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum)

: This low-light tolerant plant helps reduce benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene levels.

Tips for Maximizing Air Purification

- Place your air-purifying plants in areas where you spend the most time, such as the living room, bedroom, or home office. - Choose a variety of plants to target different types of pollutants. - Keep your plants healthy and well-maintained by providing them with the proper light, water, and nutrients. - Consider using multiple plants in larger rooms for optimal air purification.

Conclusion

By incorporating air-purifying houseplants into your home, you can improve indoor air quality, reduce the risk of health issues caused by VOCs, and create a more comfortable and healthier living environment. So, choose from the list of recommended plants, add a touch of greenery to your home, and breathe easy knowing you're surrounded by natural air purifiers.