With so many pollutants in our air these days, filling your home with houseplants that specialize in purifying your air is an easy step you can take to improve your environment and create a clean, healthy space. While all houseplants use the carbon dioxide that is in the air, the following plants are the most efficient at cleaning up the pollution in the air and giving you clean air to breathe freely.
Snake Plants
These plants are useful for so much more than their low-maintenance nature and their intriguing visual appeal. In addition to these things, Snake Plants, also known as Mother-In-Law's Tongue, are extremely efficient at soaking up any pollutants in the air such as carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, toluene, xylene, and benzene. And in addition to soaking up these harmful chemicals, Snake Plants also release pure oxygen. These plants make for great bedside décor, as they will have you breathing clean air all night long. Shop Snake Plants!
English Ivy
These great little plants add a beautiful touch of greenery to any area of the home. One interesting fact that may not be very widely known is the fact that these delicate ivies are particularly effective at reducing fecal particles that have become suspended in the air. Based on that, you can only imagine that bathrooms are a popular location for these plants! Wherever you decide to put them though, do make sure that they get an adequate amount of sun (around 4 hours of direct sun), or they won't be able to do their job! Shop Ivy plants.
Spider Plants
Spider Plants also make for great air purifiers, and they are also perfectly suited to new plant owners or people who don't have the greenest of thumbs. They are very resilient, do not require a lot of light, and can go for several weeks at a time without being watered. It is also non-toxic to pets, so if you are also an animal lover, this may be the plant for you! Its talents are found in filtering toxins such as carbon monoxide and xylene from the air. These plants, when they are happy and healthy, also produce lots of little pups that can easily be propagated into new plants, so you can have tons of Spider Plant babies all over your home! Shop Spider Plants.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera have so many uses. They provide a lovely aesthetic, can aid in sunburn relief, are often used as an ingredient in smoothies, and can also purify the air you breathe! These plants specialize in soaking up any formaldehyde or benzene floating around in your air. And since these chemicals are ones often found in varnishes, floor finishes, or soaps and detergents, kitchen areas are often a good place for them. Being a type of succulent, they do love the sun, so just make sure you place your Aloe in a spot where it will receive plenty of light and warmth! Shop Aloe Vera.
Palm Trees
Many different kinds of palms serve as a great way to purify the air in your home from any pollutants. Specifically, Lady Palms are great at absorbing ammonia, which is often found in cleaning products. Their tall and leafy growth pattern is a look that is largely sought after in many interior designs, and they are not very needy plants, making them popular, easy, and effective. Shop Lady Palms.
Dracaena
This variety of houseplant is quite extraordinary. Young plants can appear short with long spikey fronds, while mature plants will exhibit long, wiggly trunks that give the plants much character. Their colors can vary from green with light pink edges, to deep red edges, to green with hints of purple, or various shades of dark and bright green. Aside from their visual appeal, they are experts at fighting the presence of trichloroethylene and xylene and leave you with clean air to breathe. Shop Dracaena.
Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema, also known as Chinese Evergreen, are a shorter, leafy houseplant that comes in a variety of colors and designs. They can handle low-light environments, and enjoy a bit of humidity. They are particularly good at pulling formaldehyde and benzene out of the air. These chemicals can also be found in detergents and cosmetic products, and therefore make lovely bathroom plants. Keep in mind though that some plants that exhibit bright colors will need some sunlight, or the coloring will fade. Shop Aglaonema.
Pothos
These plants are beautiful with their trailing vines and their broad, waxy leaves that come in many different colors and variegations. They are very low-maintenance plants as well, making them perfect for any houseplant beginner. They can tolerate pretty much any light conditions, from direct sun to almost no light at all, and only need to be watered every couple of weeks, depending on their sun exposure. It is also great at absorbing carbon dioxide released into the air when we breathe. They soak up the carbon dioxide and in return emit oxygen, making them a perfect addition to any home. Shop Pothos.
Rubber Trees
These hardy houseplants are rather low-maintenance and are quite popular for their broad, dark leaves and upright, tree-like growth. They are also said to be one of the best houseplants for cleansing the air in their environment. These plants are toxic to pets, however. So if you have some furry friends running around your house, you may want to keep this one out of reach! Ingestion is not lethal, though it may cause some serious discomfort. Always contact your veterinarian right away if your pet gets into any of your plants! Shop Rubber Trees.
Peace Lily
These lovely plants produce beautiful white flowers when they are happy and healthy. They are relatively low-light tolerant and are not extremely picky when it comes to their watering schedule. Simply water the plant if you notice its leaves begin to droop! These plants are perfect for filtering harmful compounds out of the air in your home and will add a nice tropical touch to any room they are in. This plant is also not pet-friendly, so be aware of where you place it if you have curious critters that tend to get into things! Shop Peace Lilies.
Bromeliad
These exquisite houseplants are truly a wonder. They feature thick, leathery leaves with one tall, brightly colored flower emerging from the center. They can come in all sorts of colors, from red to yellow, to pink, and more. In addition to inciting awe and wonder from any house guest, these plants will also do a fabulous job of pulling toxins out of the area around it, giving you fresh, clean air to breathe. These plants don't like direct sun and will thrive in moist, moderately lit environments. Shop Bromeliads.
If you have any questions about any of these houseplants, where they will thrive in your home, how to care for them, or other benefits they may offer, please let us know! We are always happy to help with anything plant-related! Submit a contact form on our home page, or give us a call any time! 970-484-5022
Resources:
Prattey, Samantha & Walden, Lisa. "20 Best Air Purifying Plants For the Home." CountryLiving. 1 March 2021. Web. Date accessed: 22 April 2021. https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wellbeing/a668/houseplants-to-purify-house-air/