Health and Wellness

16 Air Detoxing Houseplants To The Rescue

Today, people tend to spend more than 90% of their time indoors. Hence the air quality in the house is significant.

Modern buildings and furnishings have inadvertent aftereffects. Furthermore, the stagnant environment inside our homes permits air pollution to escalate indoors. Thus, health issues like asthma or sick building syndrome are promoted. Sick building syndrome fosters a headache, dizziness, nausea, and eye, ear, and nose irritation.

Lucky for us, in 1998, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) discovered that houseplants have the ability to absorb harmful toxins from the atmosphere in enclosed ambiance which lacks air flow.

However, plants have less horsepower than air purifiers, they are more natural, cost-effective, easy to maintain and therapeutic. In addition, they also ameliorate mood and productivity, inflate concentration and memory and diminish stress and fatigue.

Chemicals compose 90% of the total indoor pollution and therefore affect the indoor air quality. Additionally, these hazardous chemicals surface from:

via – epa.gov
  • Cleaning products like laundry chemicals
  • Chemical flame retardants found in furniture, and mattresses
  • Formaldehyde from gas ovens, garbage bags, paper towels and tissues, and some fabrics
  • Fragrances
  • Outdoor toxins carried in garments and shoes
  • Electromagnetic frequencies from computers, WiFi, and other such electronics

16 Air Detoxing Houseplants To The Rescue

1. Aloe vera (Aloe vera)

Aloe vera is an easy growing succulent plant. The leaves of the plant secrete a substance which has anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. Due to this, in early Egypt, it was called “the plant of immortality”, while to the Native Americans, it was known as “the wand of heaven”.

via – dubaigardencentre.ae
  • For the purpose of better growth, the plant must not be allowed to grow in standing water.
  • It battles formaldehyde and benzene from the environment.

2. Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)

via – artificialplantsandtrees.com
  • Areca palm emerges from Madagascar.
  • A lot of water is required by the plant during the growth season, while in winters, less amount is required. Further, it grows best in a space with bright light.
  • The plant removes formaldehyde, xylene, and carbon monoxide. Additionally, it is a non-toxic plant.

3. Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

via – mnn.com
  • Also called the reed palm, it is a sturdy and elegant plant. It bears flowers and small berries.
  • The soil must be kept moist. Bright, yet not direct sunlight is required by the plant. In addition, for healthy growth of the plant, frequent fertilizing, misting, and repotting are required.
  • The plant very effectively eliminates formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, carbon monoxide, and chloroform. Even more, it transpires a healthy dose of moisture into the air.

4. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

via – netdna-ssl.com
  • Ferns are known to be the best plants for removing indoor air pollutants. In addition, they add humidity to the indoor environment.
  • Watering of the plant has to be regular. Further, it also requires a location with high humidity as well as indirect sunlight.
  • It banishes several chemicals. For example formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. 

5. Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

via – wikimedia.org
  • Florist’s or mum’s chrysanthemums are the most efficient air purifying plants. Moreover, the beautiful flowers of the plant mainly help in the cleansing of air.
  • The plant grows best in damp soil.
  • The blooms are air-purifying champions and cleanse out various chemicals including ammonia, formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, trichloroethylene, and benzene.

6. Dracaenas (Dracaena spp.)

via – homedepot.com
  • Despite the slow growth of the plant, it reaches up to 15 feet. These foliage plants come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.
  • It needs a moderate amount of water. Though it grows best in damp soil.
  • The plant species battles formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the atmosphere.

7. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

via – tqn.com
  • English Ivy is an evergreen climbing plant. The sap of the plant comprises of various chemicals, which are actually responsible for causing severe contact dermatitis in skin sensitive humans.
  • Water should be added generously to the plant during the growing season. In addition, it requires part sun and part shade. Furthermore, fertilizers should be added once a month. Also, misting during the winter season keeps the plant healthy.
  • The evergreen plant reduces airborne fecal matter particles in addition to numerous chemicals. The chemicals it washes out include formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene, trichloroethylene, and carbon monoxide.

Read also- These 5 Indoor Plants Will Help You To Sleep Like A Baby!

8. Ficus / Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)

via – mnn.com
  • Ficus plant is a native of Southeast Asia. It is a hardy, evergreen, 2-10 feet tall plant.
  • The plant grows best in bright, but indirect sunlight. Moreover, it should only be watered when the soil is dry.
  • It very efficiently extinguishes formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.

9. Flamingo Lily (Anthurium andraeanum)

  • Flamingo Lily is a beautiful evergreen plant, with gorgeous flowers being borne on it.
  • It requires plenty of indirect sunlight along with humidity. Also, it is poisonous to human beings and medical help should be sought if it is swallowed.
  • The plant effectively wipes out formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and ammonia from the atmosphere.

10. Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

via – google.com
  • Gerbera Daisy is a beautiful, bright, flowering plant, which is native to Eastern Africa.
  • It requires careful watering and cool temperatures. Additionally, it prefers well-drained soil and full sun.
  • In general, the plant clears formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.

11. Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

via – mnn.com
  • Commonly known as the Devil’s ivy, it is a hardy, 8 feet tall plant. Surprisingly, it stays green even when placed in the shade.
  • The plant requires water only when the soil is dry. Moreover, it also requires bright, indirect light.
  • Further, it tackles formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the atmosphere. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most effective indoor air purifying plants. 

12.  Heart leaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium)

via – aspca.org
  • Philodendron is a climbing vine plant.
  • It is a low maintenance plant, which thrives in indirect light.
  • Specifically, the vine battles formaldehyde present in the surrounding environment.

13. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)

via – netdna-ssl.com
  • Peace lilies are one of the top three plants for removing household toxins. Additionally, it has a high transpiration rate that humidifies surrounding air.
  • In the first place, slightly moist soil and moderate light conditions help the plant grow best.
  • Although they cause burning, swelling and skin irritation in adult beings, they are widely used.
  • It efficiently obliterates a lot of chemicals from the environment. For example, formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, trichloroethylene, and ammonia.

14. Rubber plants (Ficus elastic)

via – greenerynyc.com
  • Rubber plants are evergreen plants originating from India. Roots of the plant grow upwards, entwining with the plant shoot.
  • The plant grows best in bright light. Additionally, it requires watering during winters. Furthermore, fertilizers should be added once in every month.
  • Generally, it effectively quashes formaldehyde from the air.

15. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

via – mnn.com
  • Snake plant, also called Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, is an evergreen, perennial, hardy plant. Uniquely, it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at night.
  • The plant needs occasional watering. Moreover, it prefers drier conditions, with some sunlight.
  • Furthermore, it filters formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and trichloroethylene, nitrogen oxide.

16. Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum)

via – netdna-ssl.com
  • Better known as air plants, they grow rapidly and easily. Little white blossoms are borne on the plant.
  • The plant is watered 2-3 times a week for a better growth. Additionally, it requires bright and indirect sunlight.
  • It eradicates formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the atmosphere.

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