11 Houseplants That Improve The Air Quality In Your Home
Decorating with houseplants can bring new life into any space in your home. Trendy plant arrangements, like terrariums for example, have even those who lack a green thumb bringing plant life into their homes. But what if the plants you chose for each room had health benefits? Studies show that certain plants help purify the air in your home.
Here are 11 houseplants that improve your indoor air quality:
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a great plant to have on hand for it’s healing purposes. There are many health benefits to using aloe vera as it helps heal burns, soothe cuts and improve skin conditions naturally. Aside from the many health benefits of aloe vera, it’s also an amazing air purifying plant to have in your home. It is known to purify the air of benzene which is a common chemical found in paint and common household cleaners. It’s also easy to maintain for those who lack a green thumb by just watering it consistently – while watering less often in the winter months.
2. Snake Plant
The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law's tongue, has unique properties that make it give off oxygen at night. This plant is a great addition to your bedroom for a little extra oxygen boost while you sleep. It also rids the air of formaldehyde, benzene and other pollutants that are common due to household products. To maintain a snake plant, keep it in indirect sunlight and water sparingly.
3. Golden Pothos
The golden pothos is a wonderful plant to hang in your living room or kitchen. It has long vines that grow down so using a hanging basket will give it room to grow. This plant is known to purify formaldehyde from the air. Another bonus of the golden pothos is that it doesn’t need much sunlight to thrive, so keeping it in darker spaces is an option.
4. English Ivy
If you suffer from common household mold allergies, adding english ivy throughout your home could help reduce your symptoms. English ivy purifies toxins, like benzene, from the air as well as substantially reduces the amount of airborne mold in the air. This plant, however, contains a substance in it’s leaves that are toxic to pets if ingested. So it’s best to avoid bringing these into your home if you have furry companions. To maintain english ivy you should water more frequently when the plant is first potted, and once it's grown to be a full plant it can be watered less frequently.
5. Bamboo Palm
Using bamboo palm is a cute decorative option for any space in your home. You can either have a large bamboo palm that is great for a spacious living room, or opt for a small bamboo palm perfect for a small space in a bathroom or bedroom. Bamboo palm made NASA’s air purifying list for its ability to remove benzene and trichloroethylene from your home. These chemicals are both found in common household cleaners. For best results these plants should be placed in the shade or indirect sunlight and watered frequently.
6. Spider Plant
A spider plant is a low maintenance plant to add to your home. It's a great option for an indoor houseplant beginner. It benefits your air quality by purifying the air of xylene found in many paints and carbon monoxide. To maintain the spider plant simply water it every day to keep the soil moist and place it in a bright area of your home.
7. Red Edged Dracaena
The red edged dracaena also purifies the air of chemicals found in common household cleaners and paint. It grows best in a bright room but not in direct sunlight and should not be over watered. Although it starts small and grows slowly, it can grow to be up to 15 feet tall so adding it to a room with tall ceilings is best. The red edges of the plant can bring a unique pop of color to any room.
8. Weeping Fig
The weeping fig is another larger plant that’s best placed in airy open spaces like a living room with high ceilings or a large entryway. It can remove chemicals from the air, like formaldehyde and trichloroethylene that are found in paints, carpet and furniture. This plant grows best in bright, consistent and indirect sunlight so it’s important to find a room that has those qualities.
9. Philodendron
The philodendron is a houseplant that is native to the jungle, so it thrives better with medium and indirect sunlight. It also grows best when the soil is kept moist and the leaves are misted. This plant is a beautiful addition to a larger space in your home like a home office or master bedroom. They help purify the air of formaldehyde. This plant is also toxic if ingested by animals or children so it’s best to keep out of a home with either.
10. Chinese Evergreen
The Chinese evergreen is incredibly easy to care for so it is a very common houseplant. It also has a long life and can be kept in your home for many years. Like the other household plants mentioned in this list, it helps rid your air of pollutants found in common household cleaners, and its air purifying abilities get better with age. This plant is a great addition to a bedroom, dining room, or living room with mild natural light.
11. Peace Lily
The peace lily is a popular houseplant because of it’s unique flower. This plant is native to hot, tropical climates so it is a more challenging houseplant to care for. Throughout the week you need to consistently water it’s roots and make sure it’s leaves are misted and trimmed to keep the plant healthy. The peace lily is a great addition to your home to remove mold spores and help purify pollutants from the air. Because of it’s mold removal ability, it’s a great addition to a bathroom to prevent mildew from forming.
These 11 houseplants will help you breath easier in your home by naturally ridding the air of common allergens and pollutants. Which houseplant is your favorite on this list? Let us know in the comments!
