If you are looking for a natural and easy way to improve the air quality in your home, consider adding some houseplants to improve air quality. Houseplants not only add beauty and color to your home, but they also filter out harmful pollutants and toxins from the air.
Some plants can even release oxygen and moisture into the air, creating a healthier and more comfortable environment for you and your family. In this blog post, we will introduce you to the top 10 houseplants for improving air quality in your home and explain how they work and how to care for them.
Explore 10 of the best houseplants for improving your air quality. So, are you ready to breathe easier and feel happier? Read on!
Contents
Top 10 House Plants to Clean Air!
Houseplants not only add beauty and life to your space. But, they can also help remove harmful toxins from the air, especially in enclosed spaces with little airflow. According to NASA, some plants are better at removing certain chemicals than others. These chemicals can come from everyday household items like paint, cleaners, hair spray, and even dry-cleaned clothes.
Let’s dig in more!
1. Areca Palm
The areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) is a tropical plant that can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors. It has feathery fronds that can add a touch of elegance to any room. The areca palm is effective at removing formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air. It also releases moisture into the air, which can help humidify dry environments.
Furthermore, the areca palm prefers bright indirect light and moist soil, it does not tolerate cold or drought well. We recommend you keep it away from drafts and water it regularly. Additionally, you can also mist the leaves occasionally to prevent browning.
2. Rubber Plant
The rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is a popular houseplant with its glossy dark green leaves and sturdy stem. In addition, it can reach up to 10 feet in height indoors, but you can trim it to keep it compact. Moreover, it also helps purify the air by removing formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and trichloroethylene.
However, the rubber plant prefers bright indirect light and moderate watering. It can handle lower light levels, but it may lose some of its leaf shine. Therefore, you should avoid watering the rubber plant too much or too little, as it may drop its leaves.
3. Philodendron
The philodendron (Philodendron spp.) is a large genus of plants that includes many varieties of trailing and climbing vines. In fact, they have heart-shaped or split leaves that come in different colors and patterns. The philodendron is capable of removing formaldehyde from the air, as well as benzene and xylene. Plus, it is easy to care for and adapts well to different light and moisture conditions. It also prefers bright indirect light and moist, but, well-drained soil. You can train it to climb on a trellis or a pole, or let it hang from a basket.
4. Peace Lily
The peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) is a beautiful plant that produces white flowers that resemble calla lilies. It is one of the most effective plants at removing common indoor pollutants. Such as formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, ammonia, xylene, and toluene. It also helps increase humidity and reduce mold spores in the air. Additionally, the peace lily is easy to grow and blooms best in medium to bright indirect light. It likes moist soil but not soggy. You can tell when it needs water by looking at its leaves: they will droop slightly when thirsty.
5. Snake Plant
The snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) is also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or viper’s bowstring hemp. It has stiff upright leaves that are striped with green and yellow. The snake plant is excellent at removing formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and trichloroethylene from the air. It also converts carbon dioxide into oxygen at night, which can improve your sleep quality.
Furthermore, the snake plant is very hardy and can survive in low light and low water conditions. It prefers dry soil and occasional watering. So, it is recommended to avoid overwatering or root rot may occur.
6. Aloe Vera
This succulent plant has fleshy leaves that contain a gel that can be used for various skin and hair treatments. It can remove formaldehyde and benzene from the air and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It needs bright light and well-drained soil, but avoid overwatering. Overall, this plant is safe for pets and children.
7. Boston Fern
The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a classic houseplant that has graceful arching fronds with tiny leaflets. It is one of the best plants for removing formaldehyde from the air. It also removes xylene and toluene. Additionally, it acts as a natural humidifier by releasing moisture into the air. Plus, the Boston fern likes bright indirect light and high humidity and also needs regular watering and misting to keep its soil moist but not soggy. You can also place it on a tray of pebbles with water to increase humidity.
8. English Ivy
The English ivy (Hedera helix) is a climbing vine that has glossy green leaves with white veins. It can grow up to 50 feet long indoors if given enough support. The English ivy is effective at removing formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and toluene from the air. It also reduces airborne mold by up to 78%. It likes bright indirect light and moist soil. You can train it to climb on a trellis or a wall, or let it cascade from a hanging basket.
9. Spider Plant
The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is another easy-to-grow houseplant, that has long, slender leaves with white stripes. It produces baby plants or spiderettes that hang from its stems like spiders on a web. The spider plant can remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air. Moreover, it prefers bright indirect light and moderate watering. It can tolerate lower light levels, but may lose some of its variegation. You can propagate new plants by cutting off the spiderettes and planting them in the soil.
10. Dracaena
The dracaena (Dracaena spp.) is a large group of houseplants that come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Some of the most popular varieties are the corn plant (Dracaena fragrans), which has broad green leaves with yellow stripes; the rainbow plant (Dracaena marginata), which has narrow red-edged leaves; and the Janet Craig (Dracaena deremensis), which has dark green glossy leaves. It can remove formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene from the air. Also, likes bright indirect light and occasional watering. It can tolerate lower light levels, but may grow slower or lose some of its coloration. Suggestion, avoid overwatering or fluoride exposure as they can cause leaf tip browning.
FAQs
What plant removes 78% of airborne mold?
According to a study by American College of Allergy Asthma & Immunology , English ivy (Hedera helix) was able to remove 78% of airborne mold in just 12 hours3. This makes it an ideal plant for people who suffer from allergies or asthma.
Which plant stops mould?
There is no single plant that can stop mould completely, as mould growth depends on many factors such as temperature, humidity, ventilation, and organic matter availability . However , some plants may help reduce mould spores in the air by increasing humidity , releasing oxygen , or absorbing toxins . Some examples are peace lily , Boston fern , snake plant , spider plant , and English ivy.
Which plant is best at improving indoor air quality?
There is no definitive answer to this question , as different plants may have different abilities to remove different pollutants from the air . However , some plants that have been shown to be effective at removing multiple common indoor pollutants are peace lily , dracaena , rubber plant , philodendron , snake plant , spider plant , areca palm , English ivy , Boston fern , and aloe vera.
Is snake plant good for mould?
Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) may help prevent mould growth by reducing carbon dioxide levels in the air at night . Carbon dioxide is one of the factors that promotes mould growth . Snake plant also removes formaldehyde , benzene , xylene , and trichloroethylene from the air , which may contribute to mould formation.
Well, It’s a Wrap!
You have just learned about the top 10 houseplants that can improve the air quality in your home. These plants are not only beautiful and easy to care for, but they also have amazing benefits for your health and well-being. They can filter out harmful pollutants, increase oxygen levels, reduce stress, and boost your mood.
So what are you waiting for? Pick your favorite plants from this list and start enjoying cleaner and fresher air today!
And don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends and family who might also benefit from these wonderful plants!
Hello, I’m Rose Lehman, the content writer of cozynest. I have been a gardener for over 5 years, and I have a certificate in master gardening from the Oregon State University Extension Service. I enjoy writing about all aspects of gardening, from the basics to the advanced, and from the practical to the creative. I also love to explore different types of gardens, cultures, and styles, and share them with our readers. My goal is to inspire and inform our audience, and help them grow their own cozynest.
