There is growing concern about indoor air pollution, which is not just related to outdoor pollution. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor pollutants can be up to five times more prevalent than outdoor pollutants (EPA). Having air purifying plants in your home or place of business is a great idea because of this. They not only give your space a touch of greenery, but they also help to purify the air. We’ll go over everything you need to know about air purifying plants in this article, including how they work, which plants are best for purifying the air, and how to take care of them.
Air Purifying Plants: Improve Your Indoor Air Quality Naturally
What are Air Purifying Plants?
Plants that are known to remove dangerous pollutants and toxins from the air are known as air purifying plants. Through their leaves and roots, they take in pollutants and transform them into safe compounds. A great addition to any indoor space, some air-purifying plants can even remove up to 90% of indoor air pollutants.
How do Air Purifying Plants Work?
Air purifying plants work by absorbing pollutants through their leaves and roots. They then convert these pollutants into harmless substances through a process called phytoremediation. During this process, the plant uses the pollutants as a source of food, breaking them down into their component parts and releasing harmless byproducts back into the air.
Benefits of Air Purifying Plants
Improved Air Quality
When air purifying plants remove harmful chemicals and other pollutants from the air, the air’s quality can be improved. This may be especially beneficial for those who suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions.
Increased Oxygen Levels
As a byproduct of photosynthesis, oxygen is released by plants, which can aid in raising the air’s oxygen content. This can be particularly helpful in places with poor airflow.
Reduced Stress
Studies have shown that spending time around plants can help to reduce stress and improve mood. Air purifying plants, in particular, can help to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere.
The Best Air Purifying Plants
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
If you are looking for a low maintenance houseplant that is easy to care for and purifies the air, peace lily is one of the low maintenance houseplants. These botanical plants produce aesthetically pleasing ivory colored flowers, these houseplants play an important role in beautifying the home or office and purifying the air by removing toxic chemicals from the air.
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis):
Aloe vera is a plant that has healing properties as well as health and beauty benefits. Not only does it purify the air, it also purifies the air by releasing oxygen at night and absorbing toxic carbon dioxide.
There are different types of aloe vera plants all over the world, but only aloe vera is able to benefit you inside and out. Only aloe vera is edible. Although native to the Arabian Peninsula, aloe vera plants are found all over the world. For thousands of years, this bushy, delicate plant has been cultivated for its calming gel. Aloe vera gel is beneficial beyond treating skin problems. Aloe vera juice can be made by blending it with water and is packed with nutrients.
Weeping Fig:
The weeping fig, also known as Ficus benjamina, is a popular indoor plant that can add a touch of greenery and elegance to any room. With its graceful shape, the weeping fig makes a very attractive houseplant with its long, glossy leaves. Plants purify the air by removing ‘chemicals’ from the air.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata):
Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’) is a popular houseplant beloved for its delicate fronds and lush, green leaves. This versatile plant has been a popular choice for homes and offices for generations. Native to the tropics, this plant requires specific conditions to thrive, making it somewhat of a challenge to care for. However, with a little knowledge and effort, you can keep your Boston fern plant healthy and happy for years to come. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about caring for your Boston fern plant, including water, light, temperature, and more.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum):
Spider flora is a remarkable and low-maintenance houseplant. With its long, narrow leaves and air-purifying properties, the spider plant has become a popular choice among plant enthusiasts. These plants boast an impressive ability to harvest life-sustaining oxygen by absorbing and subsequently removing harmful carbon dioxide molecules from the surrounding air.
Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii):
If you want to enhance the quality of the air in your home, the bamboo palm is a great option. This plant is especially good at eliminating some chemicals from the air that are frequently linked to indoor air pollution, like those in paint and fresh carpet. You can contribute to making your indoor space healthier and more enjoyable by including a bamboo palm there.
Chrysanthemum:
Chrysanthemums are not only known for their beautiful winter flowers, they are also great for air purification. Apart from the flowering season, you should place the plants in a location that is bright and receives plenty of direct sunlight.
English Ivy (Hedera helix):
The adaptable and low-maintenance English ivy is ideal for gardeners of all levels. It is a great option for a ground cover, a climbing vine, or a container plant because of its lovely leaves and many advantages. Therefore, give English ivy a try if you want to add some colour and texture to your garden. English ivy reduces airborne faeces in addition to helping to clean the air. Because of this, English ivy makes a fantastic bathroom plant.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata):
In addition to being widely used as indoor plants, snake plants, which are native to West Africa, are also capable of removing various air pollutants, including carbon dioxide. The snake plant is one of the most effective all-natural air purifiers.
Snake plants are known for their unique physical characteristics, including their long, erect leaves that grow easily in soil. These leaves can grow up to 3 feet long and 2 inches wide and are often green with yellow or white stripes. They also produce small white or green flowers on a long stem that can grow up to 4 feet tall.
Rubber plants (Ficus elastic):
Due to their widespread popularity and relatively simple maintenance needs, rubber plants are a type of plant that remain green throughout the entire year and live for many years. Both direct and indirect light as well as regular humidity are necessary for rubber plants. Pruning can be used to manage their size and shape, and they can be multiplied by stem cuttings or air layering. The rubber tree needs to be watered every week in the summer and every two weeks in the winter because it dislikes too much moisture, like all plants. Your rubber plant can be a long-lasting and lovely addition to your home if it is given the right care.
Areca palms:
The areca palm is one of the most popular indoor plants. These tropical plants are known for their elegant appearance, succulent leaves and air-purifying qualities. The areca palm is native to Madagascar and southern India and belongs to the Arecaceae family. This type of palm is also known as butterfly palm, golden cane palm or bamboo palm due to its slender stems and feathery fronds.
One of the main benefits of areca palms is their ability to purify the air. According to a NASA study, areca palms are excellent air purifiers and can remove harmful toxins like benzene, formaldehyde and trichlorethylene from the air.
The Areca palm is an excellent choice for filling large indoor spaces. It not only adds aesthetic value to your home but also serves as a natural air purifier by eliminating toxins from the air. Additionally, if you have pets such as dogs or cats, you’ll be happy to know that Areca palms are non-toxic to them, making it a safe choice for your furry friends.
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Caring for Air Purifying Plants:
To keep your air purifying plants healthy and happy, it’s important to provide them with the right care. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Light
Most air purifying plants prefer bright, indirect light. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight, as this can cause their leaves to burn.
Water
Most air purifying plants prefer to be kept moist but not waterlogged. Water them when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Soil
Use a high-quality potting soil that is rich in nutrients and drains well. Avoid using soil that is too heavy or compacted.
Fertilizer
Air purifying plants do not require a lot of fertilizer, but they can benefit from occasional feeding. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every two to three months.
What are air purifying plants?
Air purifiers are plants known to remove toxins from the air. They absorb toxins through their leaves and roots and then deliver pure oxygen. The most popular air purification plants include:
Spider Plant, Peace Lily, Snake Plant, Boston Fern, Areca Palm etc.
How do air purifying plants work?
Air purifying plants absorb pollutants through their leaves and roots to remove toxins such as xylene, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. Then, through the process of phytoremediation, it breaks down harmful substances and converts them into oxygen, which is released back into the air. It is a natural and effective way to clean the air in our home and environment.