Looking for a way to improve the air quality in your home? Fortunately, you don’t have to cough up a lot of money on air purifiers with this easy alternative.
Add some indoor plants!
Have you ever wondered why you feel so much better after spending time outside? It’s because plants release oxygen into the air, which we breathe in and use to live.
But did you know that indoor plants can also improve the quality of the air in your home?
If you suffer from allergies or asthma, indoor plants may be just what you need to help ease your symptoms. They can help remove harmful toxins and pollutants from the air, such as:
Dust mites
These tiny creatures are a major trigger of allergies and asthma. They live in fabrics, including carpets, bedding.
Mold spores
These small particles are found both indoors and outdoors. They can cause respiratory problems and other health issues.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
These chemicals are released into the air by paint, cleaning products, new carpeting and furniture, office equipment, adhesives, pesticides, and more. VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and difficulty breathing.
Formaldehyde
This chemical is found in many types of products, including building materials, cabinets, and furniture. It can cause watery eyes, skin irritation, and respiratory problems.
Radon
This gas is naturally occurring and comes from the ground. It can cause lung cancer.
Carbon monoxide
this gas is produced by combustion appliances, such as cars and furnaces. It can cause dizziness, confusion, and death.
As you can see indoor air pollutants can come from a variety of sources. From fabrics to furniture, there are many things in your home that can produce harmful toxins.
So what can you do to reduce your exposure to these pollutants? The best solution is to remove the source of the pollution. But that’s not always possible or practical.
That’s where indoor plants come in! There are many plants that help clean the air of these harmful toxins. Here are some of the best plants for purifying indoor air:
Aloe Vera
Not only is it an attractive succulent but the Aloe Vera is one of the best indoor plants for cleansing the air. It helps remove formaldehyde and benzene, which are common indoor pollutants. The Aloe Vera has short-stemmed green fleshy leaves that fan out from the plant’s central stem, the leaves also contain a gel used to make ointments for healing and moisturizing skin.
Quick Care Guide
Aloe Vera is a succulent plant and does not need a lot of water. Water it sparingly, only when the soil feels dry to the touch.
Aloe Vera thrives in direct sunlight. Place it in a sunny spot where it will receive at least six hours of sunlight per day.
Aloe Vera can be propagated by taking a cutting from the stem and planting it in soil.
Bamboo Palm
The bamboo palm is an excellent plant for purifying indoor air. It removes formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. Not only does the Bamboo Plant purify the air but it is also a natural humidifier. This tropical plant is really pretty and also worth displaying in any home.
Quick Care Guide
Bamboo palms need well-drained, sandy soil. Water them when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Bamboo palms thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. Place them in a spot where they will receive several hours of sunlight per day.
Bamboo palms can be propagated by taking a cutting from the stem and planting it in a moist potting mix.
Peace Lily
The peace lily is a beautiful plant that helps remove a variety of indoor pollutants, including formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. The peace lily is also a natural humidifier, which can help keep indoor air moist and reduce static electricity.
Quick Care Guide
Peace lilies need well-drained, fertile soil. Water them when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Peace lilies thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. Place them in a spot where they will receive several hours of sunlight per day.
Peace lilies can be propagated by division or by taking a cutting from the stem and planting it in a moist potting mix.
Boston Fern
A real classic houseplant. The Boston Fern is another great indoor plant for cleansing the air. It helps remove formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, and even cigarette smoke. It also looks really pretty and gives that overgrown jungle effect.
Quick Care Guide
Boston ferns need well-drained, humus-rich soil. Water them when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Boston ferns thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. Place them in a spot where they will receive several hours of sunlight per day.
Boston ferns can be propagated by taking a cutting from the rhizome (underground stem) and planting it in a moist potting mix.
Weeping Fig
The Weeping Fig is another excellent indoor plant for purifying indoor air. It helps remove formaldehyde and xylene. The Weeping Fig is a beautiful indoor plant with glossy green leaves.
Quick Care Guide
Weeping figs need well-drained, fertile soil. Water them when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Weeping figs thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. Place them in a spot where they will receive several hours of sunlight per day.
Weeping figs can be propagated by taking a cutting from the stem and planting it in a moist potting mix.
Snake Plant
The snake plant is another excellent indoor plant for purifying the air. It helps remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air. It’s one of those plants that are pretty hard to kill, perfect if you lack green fingers. You can read all about this wonderful plant here.
Quick Care Guide
Snake plants prefer bright, indirect light but can also tolerate low light conditions.
Allow the soil to dry out completely between watering. These plants are drought tolerant and don’t like wet soils.
Be careful not to overwater! too much water can kill a snake plant.
Snake plants can be propagated by taking a leaf cutting and planting it in soil.
Spider Plant
The spider plant is one of the most popular houseplants and for good reason! It is easy to care for and does an excellent job of filtering out formaldehyde and other toxins from the air. Interestingly enough Spider Plants are considered to bring good luck in eastern cultures due to their stable nature. If you short on ideas for a friend or colleague the Spider Plant is a great option!
Quick Care Guide
Spider plants prefer bright, indirect light but can also tolerate low light conditions.
Allow the soil to dry out completely between watering. These plants are drought tolerant and don’t like wet soils.
Be careful not to overwater! too much water can cause the leaves to yellow and drop off.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many indoor plants that can help improve the air quality in your home. When choosing an indoor plant, be sure to consider your specific needs and choose a plant that is right for you. For example, if you have allergies, you may want to choose a plant that removes allergens from the air. Or, if you have pets, you may want to choose a plant that is non-toxic to animals. Once you have chosen the perfect indoor plant for your home, it’s time to learn how to care for it! With proper care, your indoor plant will help purify the air in your home and add some beauty to your space. So what are you waiting for? Choose an indoor plant today and start breathing easier tomorrow.
Thank you for reading! I hope this post helped you choose the perfect indoor plant for your home. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.