Air-purifying houseplants
They reduce stress, improve concentration and beautify your space. What you may not know, however, is that some indoor plants are capable of purifying the air we breathe from the invisible pathogens and toxic chemicals that are present indoors.
Volatile organic compounds used in the production of many household products, such as furniture, carpets, paints or contained in many building materials can harm our health in the long run, causing a number of conditions ranging from simple skin, eye and respiratory irritations, to dizziness, headaches, confusion and heart disease.
Standard electrostatic air filters cannot get rid of them, but fortunately there is a more stylish way to clean the air of our home. According to research by NASA (Clean Air Study), conducted in collaboration with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA), and with the aim of finding ways to purify the air in space stations, there are plants that function as natural ionizers and are capable of neutralising dangerous airborne volatile compounds, such as benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, ammonia, trichloroethylene and toluene, replacing them with oxygen.
10 houseplants for air purification
From the list of 29 most effective plants for indoor air purification compiled by NASA, I recommend the most beautiful and easy-to-maintain, which I also have in my own home, as you can see in the related video 10+1 beneficial indoor plants on my channel GoodLife by Gina on YouTube.
Ficus elastica (rubber fig)
Its large leaves absorb the chemicals present in the atmosphere and break them down, thus making them harmless. In addition, they absorb the carbon dioxide released by exhalation and convert it into oxygen, while eliminating bacteria and allergens, such as airborne mould spores.
Best place to keep it: Living room or bedroom. Care: It has low light and water requirements
Chlorophytum comosum
Also known as the “spider plant”, it has the ability to filter and purify the air of the room from harmful toxins, such as carbon monoxide and xylene.
Best place to keep it: Bedroom or living room. Care: It requires regular watering, which can be up to 5 times a week in the summer.
Aglaonema
Also known as “Chinese evergreen”, aglaoneme purifies the air of formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and benzene.
Best place to keep it: Bathroom. Care: It requires watering once every 1 or 1.5 weeks, and it can grow even in very low light conditions.
Dracaena
Also known as the “Madagascar dragon tree”, purifies the air of trichloroethylene, benzene, formaldehyde and xylene. Its juice is toxic, so it is best avoided it if you have pets and young children.
Best place to keep it: Because it grows vertically, prefer a well-lit room with a high ceiling. Care: It requires indirect sunlight, sparse watering and the occasional spraying of leaves.
Aloe vera
It is one of the most famous succulents due to the healing properties of its gel, but few know that it absorbs formaldehyde and benzene, substances contained in varnishes and cleansers, thus providing a cleaner air.
Best place to keep it: In a corner so that you don’t get stung by its thorns and away from radiators. Care: In winter it needs sparse watering, while in summer 1-2 times a week.
Chamadorea
It improves the atmosphere by filtering formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide and produces oxygen 24 hours a day.
Best place to keep it: Kitchen or bedroom. Care: It needs watering twice a week, while it can also cope in a semi-shady place.
Philodendron
Popular for its heart-shaped leaves, the foliage purifies the atmosphere of airborne toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene and while producing oxygen. Keep out of reach of pets and children.
Best place to keep it: Living room. Care: It needs watering 1-2 times a week and indirect light.
Sansevieria
It is also known as the “mother-in-law's tongue” because of the shape of its leaves. It is considered a natural “oxygen bomb” due to its increased production during night hours and the ability to purify the air of the house from benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene.
Best place to keep it: Bedroom. Care: Water once per week. It prefers prefers bright, indirect sunlight, but can also adapt to lower lighting conditions.
Spathiphyllum (peace lily)
It is considered nature's heavy artillery in terms of cleaning the air from pathogens and toxic substances, as in NASA's research it managed to neutralize all six chemicals for which it was tested: ammonia, formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, trichloroethylene and benzene. It also absorbs electromagnetic waves. It is considered toxic to pets.
Best place to keep it: Office or bathroom. Care: It has low light requirements, loves moisture and needs regular watering.
Aralia (spikenard)
It is one of the best ionizers in the atmosphere, as it not only purifies the air from toluene, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, but also enriches it with anions and moisture.
Best place to keep it: Office. Care: It has low requirements in light and water.
Extra tips:
- For best results, NASA recommends having one plant per 10 square metres.
- The larger the plant, the more effective its action!
