Houseplants for Purifying the Air in Your Home

Houseplants are delightful for many reasons; they add a touch of natural beauty and fresh color to your space, learning to care for them can be a fun hobby, and they make wonderful gifts. But the most amazing feature of having plants in your home is their ability to remove toxins from the surrounding air and emit oxygen into an otherwise stagnant air environment. These five houseplants are your home air pollution solution:

Mokkie.Wikimedia Commons

Rubber Plant
Rubber plants (ficus robusta) are great for their low maintenance and are considered foolproof for those new to the world of houseplants. Their thick, dark green leaves can grow to impressive heights rather quickly and these plants thrive even in dim light. Rubber plants are great for removing toxins from the air, specifically formaldehyde, which can be found in many building materials and household products such as paper towels and plywood paneling.

Sandeep Handa. Pixabay

Golden Pothos
With their shiny, bright green leaves and low maintenance lifestyle, Golden Pothos are a beautiful addition to any home. They are durable and low light tolerant, and easy to propagate if you desire more of these lush, leafy plants in your space. Commonly known as the Money Plant, they improve air quality by filtering out benzene, which can be found in tobacco smoke, glue, and furniture wax and is used in the manufacture of plastics and synthetic fibers. These lovely, easy to grow plants also take on xylene (found in rubber, leather, vehicle exhaust and tobacco smoke), toluene (found in paint thinners and model glue), and formaldehyde.

Mokkie.Wikimedia Commons

English Ivy
According to NASA studies, English ivy reduces airborne mold spores , which can cause fatigue and allergies, by 94%. While that is an impressive ability, it is important to remember that English ivy is toxic if ingested, so may not be the best option for households with small children and curious pets. English Ivy is also beneficial for removing toxins such as trichloroethylene (found in varnishes, adhesives, paints and lacquers), benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene.

Dtarazona. Wikimedia Commons

Spider Plant
This rapid growing plant filters mold and other allergens, as well as the common pollutants benzene, xylene, and formaldehyde. It is a favorite among those who tend to neglect their houseplants, because of their easy-to-grow natures. Spider plants are great in homes with wood burning stoves and fireplaces, as they reduce carbon monoxide in their environments.

Biology Big Brother.Wikimedia Commons

Aloe Vera
Aloes are beloved in households for the gel inside the leaves which is used in relieving many skin conditions such as sunburn, frostbite, and psoriasis. Beyond their soothing properties, aloe veras are also beneficial for filtering the common pollutants formaldehyde and benzene. These eye catching succulents are easy to grow and love lots of sunlight.

Jim Hammer.flickr

Boston Fern
Boston fern is a great option for households with children and pets as they are non-toxic. While they may require a little more care than other plants on this list to thrive, their powerful air-cleansing abilities make them well worth the effort. Boston ferns can be sensitive in terms of humidity and sunlight, so some research may be necessary before you elect to bring one home. Boston ferns are considered a powerhouse in air purifying, as they tackle xylene and formaldehyde by breaking down the pollutants in their root system. One Boston fern can remove over 1,800 micrograms of formaldehyde from the air in one hour.

If you prefer potted flowers in your home, keep in mind that chrysanthemums, daisies, and African violets have great air purifying abilities as well. Whether you are choosing plants for their air cleaning properties or to add leafy vibrance to your space, they all reduce carbon dioxide and airborne dust levels and are always a beautiful addition to any home or office.