Breathing Clean: Discover Seven Indoor Plants That Naturally Purify Your Air

        Air-purifying house plants 

    Indoor air pollution is a silent and frequently underestimated threat to public health. It's easy to believe that the air inside our homes and workplaces is safe, but it can actually be more polluted than the air outside. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend roughly 90% of their time indoors, and poor indoor air quality can cause a variety of health issues ranging from minor irritations to life-threatening illnesses. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that indoor air pollution causes 4.3 million premature deaths each year, making it a significant and urgent public health concern. Understanding the causes and consequences of indoor air pollution is critical for protecting ourselves and our communities from this hidden threat. Here are a few reasons why it is essential to have air-purifying house plants:

• Removes harmful pollutants: Indoor air can contain harmful pollutants, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene, which can be emitted from household items such as carpets, furniture, and cleaning products. Air-purifying house plants have been shown to remove these pollutants from the air, improving the overall air quality. By removing these toxins and increasing the humidity in the air, indoor plants can also help to reduce respiratory symptoms. 
• Boosts productivity and concentration: Good air quality can improve productivity and concentration levels. Air-purifying house plants can help to increase oxygen levels in the air, leading to better brain function and focus.
• Improves mood: Indoor plants have been shown to have a positive effect on mental health by reducing stress levels and improving mood. Air-purifying house plants can contribute to a healthier and happier indoor environment.
• Enhances décor: Air-purifying house plants not only provide health benefits but also add a natural aesthetic to indoor spaces, enhancing the overall décor.

    While there are numerous indoor plants that can help to reduce indoor air pollution, here are seven easy care plants that naturally purify the air in your home:

1. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

• These plants are one of the easiest to care for and can help to remove formaldehyde and xylene from the air. 
• Does not require direct light and releases oxygen at night, helping to breathe better while you sleep 
• Excellent for propagating and one of easiest low-light plants to care for

 

2. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)

• Peace lilies are beautiful plants that can help to remove benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air. 
• Easy to care for and thrives in low to moderate indirect sunlight.
• While not toxic to pets, this should be avoided as it contains compounds that is discomforting to pets if swallowed
• Will increase the humidity level in a room, making this plant beneficial in dry or cold climates 

3. Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

• Add a lush, tropical feel to any room. 
• Effective at removing formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. 
• Very low maintenance and can adjust to various light conditions. 
• Positive effect on mood and well-being.

4. Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)

• Effective at removing up to 60% of mold spores from the air. Can also remove formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. 
• Very low maintenance and can adjust to various light conditions. 
• Reduces humidity in the room, thereby preventing pollutants from turning into dust; this plant perfect for those who have asthma

5. English or Common Ivy (Hedera helix) 

• Great plant for removing mold spores from the air. It can also help to remove formaldehyde and other VOCs
• Effective at reducing airborne fecal particles, making it the ideal air purifying plant for your bathroom
• Will need to be in a well lit area to receive a few hours of sunlight each day.

6. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

• Removes formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air
• Does not require a lot of water. Low maintenance and easy to care for plants.
• Used as a natural way to increase the humidity of the air inside a dry home if you live in a dry region.

7. Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

• Excellent for removing formaldehyde, benzene, and other VOCs from the air
• Very low-maintenance
• This plant is one of the few that converts carbon dioxide into oxygen at night. 

    While these are just a few examples of houseplants that can help to improve indoor air quality, by adding these plants to your home, you can breathe easier and enjoy a healthier living space. They are easy to care for and can thrive in a range of indoor environments. It's important to note that while plants can help reduce indoor pollution, they are not a complete solution and should be used in conjunction with other measures such as proper ventilation and minimizing the use of household chemicals. 

Sources:

Indoor Air Quality | US EPA. (2021, September 7). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/indoor-air quality#:~:text=Americans%2C%20on%20average%2C%20spend%20approximately,higher%20than%20typical%20outdoor%20concentrations.

Plant Propagation - Cooperative Extension: Garden & Yard - University of Maine Cooperative Extension. (2021, August 26). Cooperative Extension: Garden & Yard. https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/manual/propagation/plant-propagation/