The 5 Houseplants Proven to Purify Air
People who have a green thumb are always looking for ways that plants can help them to live a happier and healthier life. Interestingly enough, NASA found that on their spaceships, introducing house plants assisted with air quality. As a homeowner, you would be surprised at the sheer amount of toxins you’re breathing in on a daily basis, similar to those NASA spaceships.
However, you can counteract many of these toxins by relying on the right household plants. If you’re ready to improve the overall air quality in your home, it’s time that you started to delve into the natural benefits of houseplants. Below are our 5 favorite varieties that look fantastic and do their job quite well.
1. Spider Plants
If you grew up in a household where plants were a big aesthetic feature, you’ve likely seen a spider plant before. In fact, they’re commonly found in most dental and doctor’s offices as well. The reason as to why they’re so popular isn’t only because of their unique appearance, but also because they are incredibly easy to take care of. Spider plants boast long foliage, similar to the legs that you would find on a spider, which also makes them a great way to fill empty space in your home.
The number one reason as to why we love these plants is because they are so simple to take care of. Keeping them watered is simple and they love having access to bright yet indirect sunlight. Not to mention they also feature an impressive amount of air purifying properties. The two main pollutants that these plants work on are xylene and formaldehyde. This not only helps to eliminate trace elements that you can’t see or smell but also contaminants that may affect the overall feeling of your home.
2. Dracaena
Dracaena plants are another fantastic aesthetically pleasing plant to have around your home. They have foliage that is quite similar to spider plants, however, they have a unique little trunk that adds an extra ounce of luxury to its overall look. The most important thing to note about this houseplant is that it’s not recommended for households with dogs and cats. This is because the foliage is very toxic to household pets if it is consumed.
There are over 40 different varieties of dracaena, which makes it easy to find the perfect one for the interior design of your home. You can find ones with green foliage, red foliage, or even cream foliage. We love the idea of using these plants in your office or other smaller sized rooms because they are beautiful but don’t take up a ton of space.
In terms of air purification, dracaena has been proven to remove traces of benzene, xylene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air.
3. Ficus
If you’re someone that is looking for a showstopping house plant that everyone will talk about, you’re going to want to consider a Ficus. Ficus trees are absolutely stunning and they are a fantastic way to take up a lot of empty space inside. As they can grow to up to 10 feet tall, you’ll want to make sure that you have enough space for it to grow healthily. Ficus trees are also incredibly simple to take care of, similar to spider plants, as they love bright yet indirect sunlight. We also love that you can keep them indoors during the warmer months and they can stay outside towards the later stages of spring.
Apart from their stunning leafy foliage that will add warmth and comfort to your home, they are also a fantastic solution to air pollutants. They focus on removing traces of trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde.
4. Snake Plant
At this point, you might be thinking to yourself that you can’t take care of plants. Especially if you’re someone who travels for work or pleasure, the idea of keeping greenery alive might seem like a pipe dream. What if we told you that there was a plant that was seemingly impossible to kill? Snake plants are one of the heartiest plant varieties and they require the least amount of tender, love, and care compared to the other houseplants on this list. They require watering once in a while and they also prefer drier conditions.
The largest advantage of snake plants is the fact that they help to remove a lot of air pollutants with little effort. They can eliminate xylene, trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde from the inside of your home.
5. Aloe Vera
As a plant that seemingly does it all, aloe vera is something that we recommend every household to have. Its foliage has been proven to be quite advantageous in terms of health and medical care. Not to mention it also helps to purify your air. If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution, aloe is the best plant to take into consideration.
The leaves of the plant are filled with a fluid that provides anti-inflammatory properties and helps to heal wounds much faster than most other substances. It is also known for its high levels of vitamins, amino acids, and enzymes. With that being said, you will be required to pay a little more attention to aloe than you would with other plants. The soil needs to be drained properly, as they do not like sitting in too much water.
Aloe also helps to remove one of the most damaging air pollutants: formaldehyde. You would be surprised at the sheer amount of things around your home that have formaldehyde in them. Such as store-bought furniture, different types of furniture glues, and even your flooring.
Final Thoughts
Who would have thought that instead of relying on expensive air purifiers, you could simply add plants to your home? If you’re someone who deals with sensitivity to air quality, introducing these plants can be a great way to make your home more comfortable. Not to mention all of these plants are absolutely beautiful and help to add a more personalized feel to every room in your home. It’s about time you put your health first, and why not start with creating a healthier environment at home with the right houseplants?
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