Indoor air quality is a significant concern for many homeowners, especially those with families that have young children and elderly folks. Bringing certain houseplants into your living spaces can enhance air quality and provide a healthier environment for all those living inside. Here is a list of the top 10 plants to add to your house for better air quality according to NASA.
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Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Air Purification Benefits: Spider plants are effective at removing formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from indoor air.
- Optimal Placement: Place spider plants in living rooms or bedrooms with indirect sunlight. They thrive in hanging baskets or on shelves, making them versatile for various interior designs.
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Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
- Air Purification Benefits: Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, snake plants are adept at filtering formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene, and nitrogen oxides.
- Optimal Placement: Ideal for bedrooms due to their ability to convert CO₂ into oxygen at night, enhancing sleep quality. They tolerate low light conditions, making them suitable for dim corners.
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Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
- Air Purification Benefits: Peace lilies remove formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, and ammonia from the air.
- Optimal Placement: Best placed in bathrooms or laundry rooms where humidity is higher, as they thrive in moist environments with indirect light.
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Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
- Air Purification Benefits: Aloe vera plants are known for removing formaldehyde and benzene.
- Optimal Placement: Position in kitchens or sunny windowsills where they can receive ample indirect sunlight. Additionally, the gel inside the leaves can be used for minor cuts and burns, making it a practical choice for kitchens.
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Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata bostoniensis)
- Air Purification Benefits: Boston ferns are effective at removing formaldehyde and xylene from indoor air.
- Optimal Placement: These ferns prefer humid environments with indirect light, making them suitable for bathrooms or near kitchen sinks. Regular misting helps maintain their moisture needs.
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Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
- Air Purification Benefits: Rubber plants are efficient at removing formaldehyde from indoor air.
- Optimal Placement: Place in living rooms or offices with filtered morning sunlight. They prefer moderate light and should be kept away from direct sunlight to prevent leaf scorch.
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English Ivy (Hedera helix)
- Air Purification Benefits: English ivy is known to remove formaldehyde and benzene from the air.
- Optimal Placement: Ideal for hanging baskets in bedrooms or as ground cover in indoor planters. They prefer cooler temperatures and indirect light. Note: English ivy can be toxic to pets, so place it out of reach if you have animals.
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Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
- Air Purification Benefits: Golden pothos is effective at removing formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, benzene, and carbon monoxide.
- Optimal Placement: Suitable for offices, living rooms, or kitchens. They thrive in a variety of light conditions, from low to bright indirect light, and are tolerant of occasional neglect, making them ideal for busy households.
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Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
- Air Purification Benefits: Bamboo palms are known to filter formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
- Optimal Placement: Best placed in living rooms or bedrooms with indirect light. They prefer humid conditions, so occasional misting can be beneficial.
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Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
- Air Purification Benefits: Chinese evergreens are effective at removing formaldehyde and benzene from indoor air.
- Optimal Placement: Ideal for low-light areas such as offices or shaded corners of living rooms. They are tolerant of low humidity and can adapt to varying light conditions, making them versatile for different indoor environments.
Considerations Homeowners Looking to Add Plants for Air Purification
When selecting and placing these plants, consider the specific needs of each species, including light, humidity, and temperature requirements. Additionally, some plants may be toxic to pets or children if ingested, so it’s essential to place them out of reach or choose non-toxic varieties if this is a concern.
Incorporating these air-purifying plants into your home not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also contributes to a healthier indoor environment by reducing common pollutants. Regular care and appropriate placement will maximize their effectiveness in improving air quality.
Checkout our reference(s) from The NASA Clean Air Study.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_Clean_Air_Study#List_of_plants_studied
Other articles worth checking out:
https://www.the-sun.com/lifestyle/11478173/unfussy-house-plant-air-purifying-easy/
https://www.wired.com/review/neoplants-neo-px/
