Plants to Help Purify the Air in your Home
I thought I would share some of my favorite houseplants used to detox the air with you all! I always say to my pregnant mamas, you can’t control what's going on in the outside environment, but you can control your internal environment and home.
According to the EPA, our homes can have 3-5x more pollutants than the outdoors due to common household cleaners, sprays, air fresheners, etc. So now is the time to clean up your bubble! *Please keep in mind, some plants can be poisonous - so please make sure you do your research and keep those little ones and pets safe!
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Here are some plants I have in my home currently:
English Ivy
English ivy is excellent for removing harmful chemicals found in the home. It can grow in full shade to full sun, can be trained into shapes, and with proper care, it is likely to survive for several years.
Snake plant
Though in small contributions, snake plants can absorb cancer-causing pollutants, including CO2, benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. With the ability to absorb and remove harmful toxins, snake plants can act as an effective defense against airborne allergies.
Parlor Palm
Parlor palms have the ability to adapt to the low light conditions found in most homes. According to NASA's study on plants that clean the air, they can also remove benzene and trichloroethylene from your home or workplace.
Calathea (Rattlesnake Plant)
Calathea thrives in spots with high humidity, making it a particularly good pick for kitchens and bathrooms. There is a wide variety of types available; all are good at making clean air in homes and offices.
Some other air-cleaning favorites:
Lemon Button Fern
Lemon Button Ferns are useful for removing toxins and cleaning indoor air. They grow about a foot high and thrive in indirect light as long as they have sufficient humidity. They're more drought tolerant than most ferns, so let their soil dry out slightly before watering again.
Pothos
Pothos earned high marks in a NASA clean air study for clearing the air of benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, carbon monoxide, and xylene. These vining tropicals tolerate low light, although it may make their leaves revert to solid green. Use them in hanging baskets or containers and let them trail over the edge of a table.
Spider Plant
This easy-to-care-for houseplant thrives in bright, indirect light and works hard to remove the air from harmful pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. Spider plants dislike soggy soil, so let them dry out slightly between waterings.
Philodendron
Philodendrons come in a variety of sizes and colors, and their leaves can have many different shapes. These plants adapt easily to most homes with medium to bright, indirect light. Researchers say they remove indoor toxins like formaldehyde, which may be present in carpets and cleaning products.
Boston Fern
Boston ferns are native to tropical forests and swamp areas so they will thrive in low light and high humidity—they’re ideal for your bathroom. The moisture from your shower will hydrate the plant, requiring little extra care from you. Besides being a pretty and decorative addition to your bathroom, the Boston fern helps remove xylene, and—the NASA study revealed—it was the top house plant for removing formaldehyde.
xoxo
Lori