5 Purifying Plants for Cleaner Air in Your Home

When you’re involved in household projects like painting and decorating, or laying down new carpets, you can’t avoid releasing chemicals from these activities into your indoor air. You might not have known it, but there are actually some houseplants that double up as very efficient air purifiers.

In 1998, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) found that certain house plants can absorb toxin in the air.

For best results, place a few of the following plants in the rooms you use most, in ones you are decorating, or in which you’re using chemical-treated products. NASA also recommends that for every 100 square feet of living space, you place two to three plants in 8 to 10 inch pots.

Although there are others, let’s take a look at five of the most popular and efficient plants for purifying the air in your home.

1) Peace Lily
The Peace Lily, (Spathiphyllum), is one of the very few air purifying plants that flower.This extraordinary plant is believed to extract VOC benzene from the air. This is a carcinogen that’s found in polishes, furniture waxes, and paints. The plant also rids the air of the acetone that’s emitted by adhesives, some cleaners, and electronics.

If you have pets in your home, however, it may not be the best choice as it’s poisonous to animals.

2) English Ivy
English Ivy, (Hedera helix), is a climbing vine that does very well in rooms with little sunlight, so it can be placed in any room in any home.

This little plant is thought to absorb formaldehyde which is the most common indoor air pollutant, and can be found in synthetic carpet dyes, and wood floorboard resins.

3) Lady Palm
The Lady Palm, (Rhapis excelsa), is slow-growing, tree like, and easily cultivated. This pretty plant is thought to clean the air of the ammonia contained in dyes, textiles, and cleaners.

4) Snake Plant
The Snake Plant, (Sansevieria trifasciata), also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is a spiky sharp-leafed plant that does well in low light.

Placing a plant or two in your bedroom will give you a tiny oxygen boost when you sleep, as the plant absorbs CO2 and releases oxygen. The plant also extracts benzene and formaldehyde from the air.

5) Wax Begonia
The Wax Begonia, (Begonia semperflorens), thrives in very sunny areas of your home, and produces attractive clusters of red, white, or pink flowers during the summer months.

This plant is believed to be excellent at filtering out benzene, other chemicals, produced by toluene, a liquid within some adhesives and waxes.

For purer air in your home, nothing can beat the natural air-cleaning attributes of these amazing plants. When you use them in conjunction with a whole house fan to help improve your ventilation, their effects can be even further intensified.

Sources:
http://www.healthline.com/health/air-purifying-plants#Extra-careplants6
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/10-clean-air-plants-your-home
https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2007/ps_3.html
http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/7-plants-purify-indoor-air/slide/7
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/29/best-houseplants-destress_n_2964013.html