We all know the importance of plants. They give us fresh air to breath and we all know it very well, yet many avoid planting at home! The reason being that many are too lazy to water them every day and take care of them. Those who are too lazy of find it boring to plant at home; this article may change your perspective for sure.
Furnishings, upholstery, synthetic building materials, and cleaning products in homes and offices can emit a variety of toxic compounds, like formaldehyde. Indoor air pollution can also be caused by pollen, bacteria, and molds, as outdoor air contaminants like car exhaust finds its way into buildings. All of these are made worse in small or poorly-ventilated spaces. The good news is that there’s an easy and affordable way to combat the presence of toxins we may be breathing in. Adding potted plants to a room has been shown to reduce the amount of air particulates.
Plants absorb some of the particulates from the air at the same time that they take in carbon dioxide, which is then processed into oxygen through photosynthesis. But that’s not all, microorganisms associated with the plants are present in soil in the pots, and these microbes are also responsible for much of the cleaning effect.
WHAT IS POLLUTING YOUR HOME?
Benzene – Can be found in Glues, paints, furniture wax and detergents.
Formaldehyde – Is in emissions, disinfectants and fixatives, or preservatives in consumer products
Trichloroethylene – In homes undergoing renovation
Xylene and Toluene – In a variety of household sprays and consumer products
Ammonia – Aerosols and sprays used in the home.
We have compiled the best houseplants that clean the air and need minimal maintenance:
SPIDER PLANT: Spider plants not only clean the air but also look classy! They can be a great addition to your house plants. Spider plants are among the easiest houseplants to grow, making them a great choice for beginners or forgetful owners. A fan of bright, indirect sunlight, spider plants will send out shoots with flowers that eventually grow into baby spider plants or spiderettes.
Pollutants removed: formaldehyde and xylene.
PEACE LILY: This plant blooms fragrant and pretty flowers throughout the year. They clean up ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from air. Put peace lilies in a shady spot and keep the soil moist without overwatering.
Pollutants removed: ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene
BAMBOO PALM: A superstar of filtering formaldehyde, benzene and trychloroethylene these palms thrive in full sun or bright light. The reason they can filter so much air is that they can grow to be pretty big; as tall as four to 12 feet high, making them exciting (and pet-friendly) indoor additions.
Pollutants removed: benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene
ARECA PALM: An extremely elegant palm with delicate fronds which is good enough to be situated in your living room or hall… This pleasant plant releases lots of moisture into the air, removes toxins very effectively, is easy to look after and resists insect infestations well.
Pollutants removed: benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and more
WEEPING FIG: Grow this low-maintenance houseplant in bright, indirect light and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Although this plant has some serious air-cleaning abilities, it can also be taken outside in late spring and brought back indoors when temperatures are warm.
Pollutants removed: formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene.
BOSTON FERN: These plants don’t need much maintenance but make sure you keep them moist. These plants prefer to clean the air from a cool location with high humidity and indirect light.
Pollutants removed: formaldehyde and xylene from air.
SNAKE PLANT:
This is one of the hardest houseplants to kill. Although it does need to be watered occasionally, it generally prefers drier conditions and some sun.
Pollutants removed: benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene
ALOE VERA: Aloe era is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Apart from being amazing in treating various diseases, it also cleans up the air especially removing formaldehyde and xylene. They don’t need any special maintenance but make sure you don’t ignore or forget them completely or they may dry out.
Pollutants removed: formaldehyde and benzene.
Plant these in your house as they not only clean the air but also add on to the look! Some plants maybe toxic to pet animals, so if you are a pet owner, check before you buy.