House Plants That Clean the Air
Greenery can improve the air quality in your home and ease stress. Plants can also add colour and style to your decor.
Recent studies have revealed that certain plants are able to absorb pollutants such as formaldehyde benzene and trichloroethylene through their leaves or roots.
To help you choose the best home plants for your space We've compiled this list of plants that clean the air.
Snake Plant
The snake plant, also known as Mother-in Law's Tongue as it is also called it is among the simplest house plants to maintain and grow. The strappy leaves make stunning centerpieces for any room, and it is known for its ability to sift out airborne toxins and pollutants. NASA's Clean Air Study found that snake plants, in addition to other common houseplants, remove toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, toluene and trichloroethylene. They do this by taking up carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis at night time.
The snake plant is a good alternative for people who have difficulty sleeping due to poor indoor air quality. It's also a great option for pet owners since it is not harmful to animals and humans.
Avoid overwatering when caring for snake plants. This is because snake plants are native to dry, rocky areas and do not like being soggy. It is best to allow the soil to dry between waterings. A simple water meter will help you determine how much moisture the soil has.
There are many different snake plants that are available at garden centers. Some of the most popular include Sansevieria trifaciata 'Twist', which has twisted and striped leaves that grow up to 14 inches (35.5 cm.) Sansevieria Trifaciata'Twist', with its striped and twisted leaves, can reach up to 14 inches (35.5 cm) tall. tall.
Snake plants are not just easy to care for, but also durable and versatile. They can be grown in a variety of conditions such as low light. good house plants are also resistant to pests, making them the perfect houseplant for beginners.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has been a popular plant for many years due to its healing properties and skincare benefits. The gel inside aids in healing burns and wounds while it moisturizes the skin and helps to prevent wrinkles. The plant is also good for digestion and other health problems. Aloe vera plants cleanse the air by removing harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that accumulate over time in stagnant indoor spaces.
VOCs are chemicals that are released into the air by a wide variety of household products, including paint, glue and cleaning supplies. These toxins can cause headaches, dizziness and other symptoms if they are inhaled for prolonged periods of time. good house plants remove these toxins and assist in purifying the air by absorption of carbon dioxide and other harmful compounds during photosynthesis.
While all plants perform photosynthesis however, aloe vera plants are especially adept at reducing toxins in the air by this process. This makes them one of the best houseplants for removing VOCs and other toxic substances from your home.
This plant thrives when it is in bright light, so put it near your window or on a sunny location outdoors. It should get at minimum six hours of sunlight per day. Aloe is tolerant of extreme dry conditions, however a lack of sunlight will cause it to become unbalanced and weaken its leaves. It can also be susceptible to pests like mealybugs, scale or mites.
The English Ivy is another great plant to have in your home as it helps to reduce airborne fecal matter which could cause harm if inhaled for an extended period of time. The plant has antiseptic qualities and releases oxygen in the evening, allowing it to effectively cleanse the air.
This plant is easy to take care of and is available in many garden centers, or on the internet. It does well in most conditions and requires only a only a little water. The plant also releases an aroma that is pleasant when it is in bloom. It is important to keep in mind that the English Ivy can be a bit of a climber so keep it away from surfaces and other plants could be knocked over or harm.
Weeping Fig
A common houseplant since Victorian times Weeping figs (Ficus benjamina) clear the air of common household toxins like formaldehyde and xylene. This evergreen is easy to care for and tolerates high levels of humidity. Keep it in an area with bright indirect lighting and some light shade. Avoid excessively watering. It is best to move it outdoors during the summer months, and to a place that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. Avoid placing it near windows with drafty air because this can cause excessive leaf fall.
Often sold as an indoor tree this tropical plant stands out with its curved stems of small, green or variegated leaves. The plant's growers may braid the branches to create an attractive topiary effect. The most beautiful cultivars are "Indigo" with dark green, glossy foliage, 'Midnight' with loose leaves and 'Silver Cloud and 'Monique' which have broadly variegated leaves.
This plant, also referred to as spathiphyllum or peacelily is easy to maintain and tolerates low light conditions. It is also among NASA's top-performing plants to remove airborne Volatile Organic Compounds such as formaldehyde and trichloroethylene as well as benzene.
Keep this plant away from direct sunlight since the rays can cause burns to the leaves. During the growing season, you should water it every 10 days. Repot once a spring.
Like many other evergreens this one also goes dormant during the fall and winter. This is the perfect time to stop fertilizing and reduce watering, but the plant is not able to shed its leaves the way deciduous trees do.
The ficus is susceptible scale insects, spider mites, and thrips. To prevent pest infestations remove any affected leaves and wash the plant's leaves to eliminate their spores. To reproduce weeping figues, cut a stem that has at least two sets of leaves and place the cutting 14 inch lower than one set of healthy leaves. This cutting will quickly root when you put it in a moist potting mix and lightly cover it with a rooting hormone. You can also propagate the plant using seeds, which you'll find in the summer months or in the early fall. Seeds can be kept in a dry, cool area for up to 2 years.
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica, also known as the rubber plant, or the fig, is one NASA's most effective indoor air purifier plants. Its large leaves are thought to absorb pollutants and toxins, and then break them into harmless compounds that are then absorbed and assimilated by the roots. In a recent research it was discovered that the roots of the rubber plant are more efficient than other houseplants in eliminating toxic substances.
The rubber plant is a perennial evergreen that can grow to be quite large in warmer climates, but it typically stays much smaller when grown as an indoor plant. In its native habitat it bears greenish-white fragrant flowers in the spring, which produce inedible fig like fruit after pollination. The leaves of this gorgeous plant are what people see rather than the flowers.
The rubber plant is highly prized for its ability not only to clean the air and to help in the air purification process, but also to be used as a living bridge as well as to create bouncy balls in India. It is also very easy to care for and is a great houseplant.
Contrary to other plants in the house, the rubber plant doesn't require a lot of sunlight. It is able to tolerate dark environments and thrives in light to moderate light. It is important to avoid excessive levels of humidity, as this can cause leaf damage and rotting roots. It is important to evenly water the soil, but not too much. The rubber plant should be kept between moderate and warm.
Rubber plants help filter the air and are therefore beneficial to those suffering from respiratory or allergies issues. They can eliminate dust and odors as well as ease eye irritation. tall house plants is also believed to lower the levels of benzene within the home.
The rubber plant, just like all houseplants, is prone to pests. Spider mites are particularly problematic. These tiny insects feed off the sap of the plant and can become attached to its leaves. It is simple to get rid of the unwanted guests by gently wiping the leaves with a cloth that has been lightly misted with neem oil or insecticidal soap.