Pollution is one of the major problems that we are facing today. As pollution is increasing so are the diseases like stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis. Not only outdoors, nowadays we’re facing this challenge indoors as well. Common sources of indoor air pollutants are paints and varnishes, newly installed upholstery, carpets, curtains, flooring, asbestos-containing insulation, and personal care products. Therefore, it has become crucial to find solutions to improve the air quality inside our homes.  

Did you know that plants can help purify the air in your home or workplace? You can keep these plants to purify the air in your living room, bedrooms, and even bathrooms. The following ten plants are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they can also help eliminate harmful toxins from the air. Keep reading to learn more about these natural air purifiers.

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) is one of the few plants that releases oxygen at night, while simultaneously removing harmful toxins from the air. This succulent is effective at removing some of the common toxins found indoors such as formaldehyde, benzene, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide, from the air. Aloe Vera is also known for its medicinal properties and has been used for centuries to soothe sunburns, cuts, and other minor injuries.

2. Snake Plant

 

The snake Plant (Dracaena trifurcate), commonly known as Mother-in-law’s Tongue, is very hardy and is an excellent choice for beginners. This plant has also been recognized by NASA as one of the top air-purifying plants. 

This low-maintenance plant prefers to be left alone and only needs watering every few weeks. Because of its low light and water requirements, this is also an ideal plant to be kept in bathrooms. In addition to eliminating chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde, snake plant also converts carbon dioxide into oxygen at night, improving the air quality in your bedroom.

3. Peace Lily

The Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’) is known for its white flowers and glossy leaves, making it an excellent decorative addition to any space. Apart from its aesthetic value, it is one of the best air purifiers according to NASA. Peace Lily is known for its ability to remove harmful toxins such as ammonia, benzene, xylene, and formaldehyde from the air. It also absorbs mold spores, making it an ideal choice for those with allergies. It’s a hardy plant that requires minimal care. It thrives in low light and only needs water once a week.

4. Areca Palm

The Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens) is a natural humidifier, making it an ideal plant for dry climates or during the winter months when the air is dry. It adds moisture to the air and can also remove harmful toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene, and trichloroethylene. The NASA Clean Air Study ranked the Areca Palm as one of the best plants for removing indoor air pollution.

5. Bamboo Palm

The Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is native to Central and South America and is known for its ability to remove harmful airborne toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and benzene. In addition to being a powerful air purifier, it is also a great option for those looking to add a tropical flair to their home or office and is pet-safe.

6. Rubber Plant

The Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) is one of the easiest plants to care for and is great for purifying the air in your home. It is effective in removing formaldehyde from the air commonly found in detergents, bleach, fabric softeners, and toilet cleaners. It absorbs formaldehyde through its leaves and then breaks it down into harmless substances. The rubber plant is also known for its ability to remove excess carbon dioxide from the air. It’s easy to maintain as it can survive even in low light conditions and is an excellent choice for beginners.

7. Golden Pothos

The Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a fast-growing and visually appealing indoor plant that is well-known for its air-purifying qualities. It is a low-maintenance plant that can be easily grown even in water. It can tolerate low light conditions and is one of the best plants to be kept in bathrooms. It is effective at removing toxins such as carbon monoxide, benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene from the air. Its trailing vines make it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or for climbing up a trellis.

8. Boston Fern

Boston Fern (Nephrolepsis exaltata) is one of the easiest ferns to grow indoors. Its lush green foliage can add a touch of elegance to any space. It’s an excellent choice for purifying the air in your home, as it filters out harmful toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. It requires moisture but hates water-logging. It can thrive well in low-light conditions, making it an excellent choice as an indoor plant.

9. Spider Plant

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is one of the best air-purifying plants that can purify almost 90% of the harmful airborne pollutants in a space of 200 sq.m. It can effectively remove cancer-causing pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene released from paints, polishes, detergents, tobacco smoke, and air fresheners. It is easy to maintain plant, that looks attractive in ceramic pots as well as hanging baskets. It is pet-safe as well.

10. ZZ Plant

ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a native of Africa. It is quite popular nowadays as an indoor plant because of its attractive looks. It is a great indoor plant that can thrive in low-light conditions and is easy to care for as it doesn’t require frequent watering or fertilizing. It is also known for its air-purifying quality and is effective in removing pollutants such as benzene, xylene, and toluene from the air. It is also known to reduce stress and bring positivity to the home. However, it isn’t pet safe, therefore should be avoided at homes with pets.

Here are some other blogs which make your Green Space Greener!

1. Gardening Calendar Blogs
2. Sustainable Gifting Ideas
3. Gardener Stories
4. Garden Care Blogs
5.  Miniature Garden Decor
6. Gardening Workshops

Have a look at some amazing Videos of Gardening that might help you!

1. Tips on planting homegrown plants and creating art with them as a beginner.
2. How to preserve, plant, and grow flower seeds in monsoon, winter, and other seasons.
3. Growing different vegetables, winter vegetables especially, and tips and tricks to preserve.
4. Preserve fruits such as strawberries, Papaya, watermelon, muskmelon, etc.
5. Know all about microgreens using examples such as microgreen spinach, microgreen sunflower, microgreen mustard, microgreen flax, etc.
6. Using gardening tools such as pots, trays, growing bags, moss sticks, watering cans, etc.

Here are some Workshops that might help you if you are new to Gardening!

1. New to Gardening? Learn the Baby Steps as a Beginner.
2. Guide for a Pocket-Friendly Garden.
3. Workshop on Trailing Plants. 

Happy Gardening!