House Plants to Purify Your Air
House Plants to Purify Your Air
We know that plants are essential to converting carbon dioxide into oxygen in the environment, but can they make a noticeable difference inside your home? In short: yes! Plants will not only add to your home ambience, they can also make the air in your home safer to breathe.
Through photosynthesis, all plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, but that’s not all they do. Plants also remove toxins from the air. A famous 1989 NASA experiment found that potted plants absorb compounds including formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene. In addition to irritating your skin, eyes, and throat, these pollutants have been linked to cancer. Removing them from the air can help to make your everyday life healthier, and for some people, they may reduce issues with allergies, eye irritation, and headaches.
It’s difficult to scientifically judge the efficacy of plants in real environments, where airflow from outdoors is constantly turning over the air supply (versus sealed environments where experimental tests take place). But there’s no doubt that houseplants have some positive effect on air quality. So how many house plants do you need to enjoy these air purifying effects? The same NASA study recommended two or more plants per 100 square feet. So you can simultaneously improve your air quality and decorate your home.
When it comes to oxygenating your air, not all plants are created equal. Large, leafy plants do the best job. Look for house plants with broad leaves; the higher the leaf surface area, the more purification the plant can perform. Some of the best plants for air quality include:
- Boston fern
- Golden pothos
- Snake plants
- Kimberly Queen fern
- Fig trees
- Dracaena
- Peace lily
- Broadleaf palm
- Devil’s ivy
- Chinese evergreen
- Bamboo palm