Do you want to reduce harmful pollutants from your home? The air is filled with harmful toxins which can be dangerous for your health. If you love all things natural, then you can use plants to purify the air in your surroundings. There are top 15 air purifying plants you can use as we shall see.
How can indoor plants purify the air in the room?
You’ll agree with us that potted plants are appealing to the eye and can brighten your room. But how sure can you be that indoor plants can improve the quality of air within your space? Scientists from Pennsylvania State University, NASA, and the University of Georgia are confident that plants play a huge role in enhancing air quality. Plants are capable of absorbing airborne toxic gases through the pores on their leaves.
It’s this process that enables photosynthesis, a process where plants convert carbon dioxide and light energy to form chemical energy. Scientists want you to know that apart from carbon dioxide, your indoor plants can absorb a wide variety of gases such as VOCs(volatile organic compounds, cigarette smoke, benzene, pesticides, and formaldehyde available in various dish detergents, cosmetics, and carpet cleaners.
Invisible air pollutants
Are you aware that airborne air pollutants and volatile organic components can cause dangerous conditions such as nausea, asthma, and even serious complications such as respiratory diseases and cancer? You need to adopt measures to improve the air quality in your home and having indoor plants is one of them. Remember, the microorganisms which live in potted plant’s soil can help reduce contaminants and VOCs.
At this point, you should be eager to find out which plants are effective in cleaning your air. Scientists opine that a big percentage of indoor plants are good air purifiers. But some of them are more powerful such as Spider plants, royal ferns, Boston ferns, and areca palms among others.
How many plants does it take to purify the air in a room?
NASA conducted studies to evaluate indoor pollution. According to their findings, you should have between 15 and 18 plants within a 6 to 8-inch diameter to purify the air in a 1,800 sq foot house. If you want the most effective plants in terms of removing pollutants, choose plants from the tropical forests, which instead of receiving direct light are hidden in between tall trees.
Due to the formation of their leaves, they can photosynthesize and transfer air in low light areas such as the home. NASA suggests that common houseplants such as heartleaf philodendron, lady palm, sansevieria, are more effective.
What is the Best Plant to have in your Bedroom?
Your bedroom is your little haven where you head to rest after a long day of work. You’ll not be able to sleep well if the air quality in your bedroom is poor. Airborne pollutants in your bedroom can come from various sources. Formaldehyde, for instance, could come from your carpet, or insulation materials, while benzene comes from solvents and paints.
If you’ve been struggling with insomnia and lack of productivity, chances are that you’re inhaling poor quality air. One effective way of combating these air quality problems in your bedroom is by having indoor plants. As we’ve already mentioned above, plant roots and leaves absorb pollutants and keep them within their tissues.
Perhaps you doubt the possibility of your indoor plants thriving in your bedroom where probably you’ve got minimal light. You don’t need to worry since there are many indoor plants which will still do well in your bedroom regardless of the source of light. You can choose one of the following houseplants.
- Parlor Palm
- Peace Lily
- Snake Plant
- English Ivy
Check out the best air purifying indoor plants for your home, which you can adapt to improve the air in your home.
Devil’s Ivy or pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
The Devil’s Ivy plant is also known as golden pothos. It’s easy to grow and it’ll help eliminate some of the common airborne toxins in your home. What’s more, the plant is colorful and will give your home a vibrant feeling with its flowing tendrils. It does well in hanging baskets, water, and pots.
Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix Roebelenii)
The Dwarf Date Palm plant belongs to the palm family. It does well in light shade and can grow up to between six and ten feet. The fronds of this plant prolong up to six feet.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
The Peace Lily is also referred to as a spathiphyllum. It’s easy to grow and care for. Peace lilies have green glossy leaves which will add beauty to your room. What’s more, it does well in low light areas which make it the perfect plant for your bedroom. If you want your peace lilies to be peaceful and grace you with their tremendous beauty, you need to fertilize and water them every week. During spring, use slow releasing fertilizer to enhance growth and development of the plant’s attractive white flowers.
Philodendron
The Philodendron plant is heart shaped and adopting it will improve the appearance of your home. You don’t need complicated procedures to look after the Philodendron. All the plant requires is bright but indirect sunlight and average water.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The spider plant is another good plant option for you if you don’t trust your ability to care plants, or are new in the plant sector. The plant does well in indirect sunlight and can survive under any condition whether hot or extremely cold. You’ll specifically be dazzled when the plant produces it’s baby spider plants which are knowns as spiderettes.
Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
The Chrysanthemums is also known as mums or disbuds. It’ll decorate your home with their beautiful nature. This plant is said to be one of the best air purifiers in the plant sector. But there is a catch. It’s one of the most difficult to air purifying plants to grow.
If you are patient enough and finally the plant thrives, you’ll always want to invite your friends over just so they can see the pretty blooms of your plant. You’ll need to place the Chrysanthemums in a well-aerated place with bright but not direct sunlight, and water it using warm water. Don’t water it before it’s fully dried up.
Rubber plants (Ficus elastic)
The Rubber plants are burgundy evergreen trees which first originated from India. These plants do well under filtered and bright light. You’ll need to water them every week during the summer. You can water them fortnightly during winter or when the temperatures are cooler. The rubber plant is versatile and all you need to plant it is a small pot. If you love huge plants in your home, you may opt for a larger pot.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata v. Bostoniesis)
The Boston Fern is easy to grow and its fronds are sword-shaped. You can plant it on a pedestal or a hanging basket. The plant needs consistent moisture and grow well in humid areas. You’ll need to place them in corners, windows, patios, or even balconies where indirect sunlight won’t penetrate through.
What’s more, add moist soil to its pot and mist it regularly. One important point you should note is: cut the fronds during winter by approximately 2 inches to prepare it for more growth in warmer conditions.
Areca palms (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)
Do you have a larger home? If yes, then the Areca palm is perfect for your space. This plant thrives in large spaces and is quite effective in terms of eliminating toxins. If you’ve got pets, then choose this plant because it doesn’t produce any toxins that can harm your pets. You’ll need to water them regularly with a lot of water to help them thrive especially during summer. You can water them moderately during winter.
Pineapple Plant
If you snore, you’ll be amazed to know that a recent study showed that pineapple plants can help you eliminate snoring. One thing you need to is that the pineapple plant will not remove pollutants from the air, but they generate oxygen and improve air quality. You can bank on these factors to boost the quality of your sleep and eliminate snores. The pineapple plant will survive on little water but may not survive the winter.
Dracaena “Janet Craig” (Dracaena Deremensis)
The Dracaena can grow up to 15 foot tall. You can adopt it if you have a large home or wide spaces. The plant survives on indirect sunlight and needs water every once a week during summer.
Ficus/Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
The ficus, also known as the weeping fig originated from Southeast Asia and can grow up to 10 feet tall. If you’re fascinated by huge indoor plants, this is the perfect one for you. The Ficus thrives in indirect sunlight and needs to be watered every week.
Snake Plant/Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)
The snake plant is also called the Mother in law’s tongue. It’s a fleshy plant that can grow up to 2 meters tall. You don’t need to break your back tending to this plant as the snake plant can thrive with minimal effort. All you need is to alternate it between direct and indirect light regularly. This plants can thrive well in dry conditions. Therefore, avoid over watering it.
Aloe Vera (Aloe vera or A. barbadensis)
Aloe Vera is popularly known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. You’ll be surprised to know that Aloe Vera can help purify the air in your home. Aloe Vera thrives warm rooms with sufficient light.
English ivy (Hedera helix)
Perhaps you’ve known the English Ivy as a climber on outdoor trees and walls. But NASA says that the English Ivy is quite effective as an air purifier. You need to grow it in small pots with minimal congestion. You can also grow them in hanging baskets if you want to improve the appearance of your room.
What is the best way to care for indoor plants?
You can use flowers to create beautiful decor for your home. One thing you should understand however is that indoor plants will only thrive under a conducive environment with proper nutrients and water. The following guidelines will help you take good care of your indoor plants.
By providing your plant with a good environment and the correct amount of water and nutrients, you can make sure that your indoor plant stays alive.
Ensure the Plants have Sufficient Water
You don’t want to deprive your plants of water just as you don’t want to overwater them. Overwatering will destroy the roots and result in rotting or stunted growth. Analyze your plants as only then will you care for them appropriately according to their needs. Do your plants have thick leaves complete with lush?
These ones need lots of water to thrive compared to those with leathery of waxy leaves. You don’t necessarily need a specific watering routine for your plants. These guidelines should help you water your plants appropriately.
- Is the soil cracked and seemingly lighter? It’s time to water it.
- If you’ve got plants from the succulent family, you’ll need to give them breaks in between watering sessions.
- Has mold started forming on top of the soil? Have you noticed stagnant water at the bottom of your plant container? If the answer is yes, then you’ve overwatered the plant.
- Stagnant water will kill your plants and you need to pour it as soon as possible.
Use a Stick or Even Your Finger to Establish the Wetness of the Pot
Are you struggling to find out whether or not your plant needs water? Why not poke the soil with your fingers or even a stick. By doing so, you’ll feel the amount of wetness in the soil. Add more water if the soil feels dry but don’t add if the soil feels damp. Remember:
- The plants you have will determine the success of this process.
- Look out for dehydration signs in your plants which include: brown and dry leaves, stagnant leaf growth, and curliness and yellowness in the lower leaves.
- Look out for over hydration signs which include: stunted leaf growth, discoloration of leaves, soft rotten pieces of leaves, and loss of leaves.
Choose a Pot with a Proper Drainage
The extent of drainage in your pot is important since under watering or over watering can kill or damage your plants. Try to:
- Ensure the pot has drainage holes to allow excess water to drain
- Remember that materials such as glass, metal, and plastic absorb less water compared to clay or ceramic.
Increase Humidity Within Your Home
You need to study your plants well because that’s the only way you’ll be able to care for them appropriately. Remember, some plants will do well in dry air but many indoor plants need humidity to grow well. Purchase a home humidifier that has a cool mist and place it close to your plants for sufficient moisture. If you can’t afford a humidifier:
- Take a spray bottle and fill it with distilled water. Mist the plants for added moisture
- Put pebbles in a tray and fill the tray with the water to reach below the surface of the pebbles. When the water evaporates, your room will be humidified.
- Place your plants closer to each other for increased humidity
Finally
If you don’t fancy commercial air purifying products, then you can opt for natural methods of improving the quality of air in your room. What a great way of starting than choosing one of the indoor plants mentioned herewith?