House Plants That Clean the Air
Adding greenery to your home can improve your indoor air quality and ease stress. Plants can also provide color and style to any interior.
Recent studies have revealed that certain plants can absorb pollutants such as formaldehyde trichloroethylene and benzene through their leaves or root.
This list of popular house plants that help to clean the air will help you select the best plants for your home.
Snake Plant
Snake plant, also known as Mother-in Law's Tongue as it is also known, is one of easiest house plants to care for and grow. Its strappy leaves create stunning centerpieces for any room, and it is well-known for its ability to sift out airborne toxins and pollutants. good house plants found that snake plants, along with other common houseplants, remove toxic substances like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and toluene. It does so by uptaking carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis at night time.
The snake plant is an excellent alternative for people who have trouble sleeping due to poor indoor air quality. It's also a great choice for people with pets as it is not harmful to humans and animals.
When it comes to taking care of snake plants, the main thing to remember is to not overwater. This is because snake plants are native to rocky, arid regions and don't like being wet. It is best to let the soil dry slightly between waterings. You can use a basic water meter to measure the amount of moisture in the soil.
There are many varieties of snake plants that are available at garden centers. Some of the most popular include Sansevieria trifaciata 'Twist', that has stripes and twisted leaves and grows to about 14 inches (35.5 cm.) tall; and Sansevieria trifaciata "Bantel's Sensation," which has narrow leaves that are striped vertically with yellow variegated edges. They can reach 3 feet (91.4 centimeters.) tall.
Snake plants are not just easy to care for, but they are also versatile and durable. They can be grown under a variety conditions, including low-light. They're also resistant to pests and diseases, making them a safe houseplant for those who are just starting out with indoor gardening.
Aloe Vera
The aloe vera plant has for a long time been a favorite of many due to its skincare and healing properties. Its gel inside helps heal burns and wounds while it moisturizes the skin and helps reduce wrinkles. The plant also aids in digestion and other health issues. Aloe vera plants purify the air by removing harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that accumulate over time in stagnant indoor spaces.
VOCs are chemicals that are released into the air from various household products like glue, paint, and cleaning supplies. tall house plants are toxic and can cause nausea, headaches, and dizziness when breathed in for a long time. Aloe vera plants remove these toxins and help purify the air by taking in carbon dioxide and other harmful compounds during photosynthesis.
Aloe vera is especially effective in reducing airborne toxins by photosynthesis. This makes them a fantastic home plant to remove VOCs, and other toxic substances.
This plant thrives in bright, sunny light so place it on your windowsill or a sunny place outside. It should receive at minimum six hours of sunshine each day. Aloe is tolerant of very dry environments, but a lack of sunlight will cause it to grow less vigorous and weaken its leaves. It could also be susceptible to insects such as mealybugs, mites, or scale.
The English Ivy can also be an excellent plant to have in your home. It can help reduce the airborne fecal matter which can be dangerous to breathe in for long periods of time. It also has antiseptic properties and releases oxygen at night allowing it to effectively cleanse the air.
You can find this plant in most garden centers and on the internet. It thrives in all conditions and needs only a little water. The plant also releases a pleasant scent when it is in bloom. It is important to remember that the English Ivy can be a bit of a climber so keep it away from the ground and other plants that can be knocked over or harm.
Weeping Figure
Weeping figs, or Ficus benjamina have been a popular choice as a houseplant since Victorian times. They aid in purifying the air by eliminating common household toxins such as formaldehyde as well as other xylenes. potted house plants and is easy to maintain and tolerates high humidity levels. Keep it in an area with bright indirect light and a little shade. Avoid over-watering. It is best to move it outside during the warmer months, to a location that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. Avoid placing it near drafty windows as this could result in excessive leaf fall.
The tropical plant is typically sold as an indoor tree. Its arching stems are covered in small green or variegated leaves. The branches are braided to create a topiary look. Some of the more exotic cultivars are Indigo, with dark-green glossy leaves, 'Midnight' with its wavy leaves and a 'Silver Cloud or 'Monique with broad, variegated leaflets.
This plant, also referred to as spathiphyllum or peacelily is easy to maintain and tolerates low light conditions. It is also NASA's top-performing plant for removing airborne Volatile Organic Compounds like formaldehyde and benzene.
Keep the plant away from direct sunlight as the rays may cause burns to the leaves. During the growing season, water it every 10 days. good house plants in spring.
Like many other evergreens, this plant goes dormant in the fall and winter. This is the time to reduce the amount of watering and stop fertilizing. However, it will not shed its leaves like deciduous trees.
The ficus is susceptible to scale insects, spider mites and thrips. To avoid pest infestations, take out any leaves that are infested and wash the leaves of the plant to get rid of their spores. To make weeping figs more propagable, cut a stem that has at least two sets of leaves and place the cutting approximately 1/4 inch below the set of healthy leaves. This cutting will root quickly when it is placed in moist potting mix and lightly coated with rooting hormone. You can also grow the plant from seeds, which are generally available in the latter part of summer and early fall. Seeds can be kept in a dry, cool location for up to two years.
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica, more commonly referred to as the rubber plant or rubber fig, is among NASA's top indoor air cleaner plants. Its large leaves absorb toxins and pollutants, and are believed to break them down into harmless compounds that are then absorbed by roots. In potted house plants was found that the roots of the rubber plant are more effective than other houseplants when it comes to getting rid of toxins.
Rubber plant is an evergreen perennial. It can be quite large in warm climates but stays smaller indoors. In its native habitat, it blooms with fragrant, greenish-white flowers in spring. They produce edible fig-like fruits after pollination. However, flowers aren't the main reason people flock to this beautiful plant as its leaves are the main attraction.
Although the plant's rubber has been used to make bouncey balls and an artificial bridge in some parts of India, it is primarily prized because of its ability to purify the air. It also happens to be very forgiving in terms of care and maintenance, which is another reason it is a wonderful houseplant.
Contrary to other houseplants the rubber plant doesn't require abundant sunlight. It thrives in moderate to low light conditions and can adjust well to dark areas. Avoid high levels of humidity as they can cause damage to the leaves and root rot. When watering, it is important to keep the soil evenly moist, but not saturated. The ideal temperature for the rubber plant are warm to average room temperatures, and should be kept away from drafts.
Rubber plants filter the air and are therefore beneficial to those with allergies or respiratory problems. They have been proven to reduce odors, dust and chemicals, and may aid in easing eye irritation as well. The plant is also believed to reduce levels of benzene in the home.
The rubber plant, like all houseplants is susceptible to pests. Spider mites are particularly problematic. These tiny insects feed off the sap of the plant and can stick to its leaves. It is simple to eliminate of these unwanted guests. Simply clean the leaves with a damp cloth lightly misted with insecticidal soap or neem.