Many people spend a lot of time in their homes, especially during the winter, and the air in your house doesn’t always circulate well. Due to this, the air inside buildings becomes more polluted than the outdoor air, a consequence of viruses, mold, and various other pollutants that build up due to a lack of filtration and circulation. Unfortunately, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), people in America spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, and many may not realize that the air inside their home is 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air outdoors. While air-purifying plants can help, it’s also essential to consider radon testing as part of your indoor air quality efforts. Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that can accumulate indoors and poses serious health risks, making regular radon testing crucial for ensuring a safe living environment.
Plants don’t just give off good energy and look good in the corner of your room. They also do a great job of cleaning the air. Everyone deserves a clean living space, so put some of these houseplants to the test. Do you want to effectively clean the air and improve the air quality of your home? If so, read on to learn which seven air-purifying plants you should be investing in.
Gerbera Daisy – A member of the sunflower family, these brightly colored flowers can help remove trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, and benzene from the air.
Boston Fern – An indoor plant that doesn’t require direct sunlight but needs humidity to thrive, this slightly high-maintenance plant can help rid the air of xylene and formaldehyde.
Bamboo Palm – A hardy plant that does not require direct sunlight, this low maintenance plant can help remove trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, and benzene from the air.
Bromeliads – Sunlight requirements do vary with this plant, as there are numerous species of Bromeliads, but this plant can effectively remove acetone, formaldehyde, and benzene from the air.
Azalea – Azalea blooms are quite stunning, but do require a humid environment and frequent watering in order to bloom. Having an azalea indoors can help remove formaldehyde from the air.
Spider Plant – Spider plants thrive in cooler temperatures and in indirect sunlight. A low-maintenance plant, this plant does a great job of removing toluene, formaldehyde, and xylene from the air.
Pothos – Also known as a “cubicle plant,” pothos are hardy and are able to thrive on low light. An excellent plant for less-than-ideal environments, pothos can help remove toluene, formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene from the air.
Frequently Asked Questions
Indoor air tends to be more polluted than outdoor air because buildings often have poor air circulation and filtration. Pollutants such as viruses, mold, and chemicals accumulate inside, making the indoor environment potentially 2 to 5 times more polluted. This is especially concerning since people spend about 90% of their time indoors, according to the EPA.
Air-purifying plants improve indoor air quality by absorbing harmful pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and other toxins through their leaves and roots. They act as natural filters, helping to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other contaminants from the air, thereby creating a cleaner living environment.
Several houseplants are effective at removing formaldehyde, including Gerbera Daisy, Boston Fern, Bamboo Palm, Bromeliads, Azalea, Spider Plant, and Pothos. These plants can absorb formaldehyde along with other pollutants, making them excellent choices for improving indoor air quality.
Boston Ferns require indirect sunlight and a humid environment to thrive indoors. They are somewhat high-maintenance because they need consistent humidity and moisture, but in return, they help remove pollutants like xylene and formaldehyde from indoor air.
Radon testing is important because radon is an invisible, odorless gas that can accumulate indoors and poses serious health risks, including lung cancer. While air-purifying plants help remove certain pollutants, they do not detect or eliminate radon. Regular radon testing ensures a safe living environment beyond what plants can provide.
Pothos is highly recommended for low-light or less-than-ideal indoor environments due to its hardiness and ability to thrive with minimal light. Spider Plant is also suitable as it prefers indirect sunlight and cooler temperatures, making both plants excellent choices for tougher indoor conditions.
The Gerbera Daisy can help remove trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, and benzene from indoor air. Its bright flowers not only add aesthetic appeal but also serve an important role in filtering these harmful chemicals, thereby improving air quality.