House Plants That Clean The Air: The Evolution Of House Plants That Clean The Air
House Plants That Clean the Air
Incorporating greenery into your home can improve your indoor air quality and reduce stress. Plants can also bring design and color to any interior.
Recent studies have revealed that certain plants are able absorb pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene through their leaves or roots.
To help you choose the most suitable house plants for your space, we've compiled this list of popular plants that can purify the air.
Snake Plant
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Snake plant, also known as Mother-in-law's Tongue, as it is sometimes called it is among the simplest house plants to maintain and grow. The wavy, strappy leaves create a stunning centerpiece for any room. It is also known for its ability filter airborne pollutants and poisons. NASA's clean air study found that snake plants, in addition to other common houseplants, remove toxic substances like benzene, formaldehyde, toluene and trichloroethylene. It does this by releasing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis during the night.
This makes the snake plant a fantastic option for those who have trouble sleeping due to poor air quality in their homes or at work. It's also a great choice for people with pets as it is not harmful to animals and humans.
Avoid overwatering when taking care of snake plants. This is because snake plants are native to dry, rocky areas and do not like being soaked. It is recommended to let the soil to dry between irrigations. A simple water meter can aid in determining how much moisture the soil has.
There are many different snake plants available at garden centers. https://houseplantalley.com/ with its twisted and striped foliage can reach 14 inches (35.5cm). tall; and Sansevieria trifaciata 'Bantel's Sensation', which has narrow leaves that are horizontally striped with yellow variegated edges. It can reach 3 feet (91.4 centimeters.) tall.
Besides being very easy to take care of, snake plants are also versatile and durable. They can thrive in various conditions that include low-light. They are also resistant to pests and diseases which makes them a secure houseplant for those who are just beginning with indoor gardening.
Aloe Vera
The aloe vera plant has long been a favourite of many because of its skincare and healing properties. Its gel helps heal wounds, soothe burns and moisturizes the skin to help prevent wrinkles. The plant is also good for digestion and other health problems. Aloe Vera plants cleanse the air by removing harmful organic volatile compounds (VOCs) that accumulate over time in stagnant interior spaces.
VOCs are chemicals that are released into the air from various household products like glue, paint and cleaning supplies. These toxins are toxic and can cause headaches, nausea and dizziness when inhaled for a long period of time. Aloe vera plants remove these toxins and aid in purifying the air by absorption of carbon dioxide and other toxic compounds during photosynthesis.
Aloe vera is especially efficient in reducing air pollution through photosynthesis. This makes them among the most effective houseplants to eliminate VOCs and other harmful substances from your home.
The plant thrives when it is in bright light, so put it near your windowsill or on a sunny location outdoors. It should get at least six hours of sun every day. Aloe can tolerate dry environments. However, lack of sunlight will cause the leaves to weaken and become leggy. It may also become prone to pests like mealybugs, scales or mites.
The English Ivy can also be an ideal plant for your home. It helps reduce the amount of airborne fecal matter that can be harmful to breathe in over long periods of time. The plant has antiseptic qualities and releases oxygen in the evening, allowing it effectively to clear the air.
It is available in many garden centers and on the internet. It thrives in all conditions and needs little water. It also emits pleasant scent when it is in bloom. It is important to note 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 damage.
Weeping Fig
A common houseplant since Victorian times, weeping figs (Ficus benjamina) remove the air of common household toxins like formaldehyde and xylene. This evergreen is easy to maintain and tolerates high levels of humidity. Keep it in a spot with bright indirect light and some light shade. Avoid excessively watering. Move it outside during the warmer months to a spot in morning sun and afternoon shade, but don't put it near a drafty window because this could cause excessive leaf fall.
Often, it is sold as an indoor tree, this tropical plant stands out with its curved stems with small green or variegated leaf. The branches are braided to create a topiary effect. Some of the more exotic cultivars include 'Indigo,' with dark-green glossy leaves, 'Midnight,' which has wavy foliage and a 'Silver Cloud or 'Monique with broad leaflets that are variegated.
This plant, also known as spathiphyllum or peacelily, is easy to maintain and is tolerant of low light conditions. It is also among NASA's top-performing plants to remove airborne Volatile Organic Compounds such as formaldehyde and trichloroethylene as well as benzene.
Keep the plant away from direct sunlight since the rays may cause burning to the leaves. During the growing season, you should water it every 10 days. Repot it every year in spring.
This plant, as many others, is dormant during the autumn and winter. This is the time to reduce watering and stop fertilizing. However, it does not shed its leaves as deciduous trees.
The ficus is prone to spider mites, scale insects, and thrips. To avoid pest infestations, remove any infested foliage and wash the leaves of the plant to remove their spores. To spread weeping figues cut a stem that has at least two sets of leaves and place the cutting 14 inch below the other set of healthy leaves. The cutting will quickly root when placed in a moist potting mix and lightly coated with a rooting hormone. You can also propagate the plant by using seeds, which you'll discover in the late summer or early autumn. Seeds can be kept in a cool, dry area for up to 2 years.
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica, more commonly referred to as the rubber plant or fig, is among NASA's most effective indoor air purifier plants. The large leaves of the plant absorb toxins and pollutants, and are believed to break them into harmless compounds which are then absorbed by roots. In an earlier study, it was discovered that the roots of the rubber plant are more effective at eliminating toxic substances than other houseplants.
Rubber plant is an evergreen perennial. It can grow quite large in warm environments, but is smaller in the indoors. In its natural habitat, it bears delicate white-colored flowers in the spring that produce a fruit that is not edible after pollination. The leaves of this stunning plant are what most people are drawn to rather than the flowers.
The rubber plant is highly prized for its ability to cleanse the air, but also to serve as an living bridge and to make bouncy ball in India. It also happens to be extremely gentle 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 is able to adapt to dark environments and thrives in light to moderate light. It is crucial to avoid high levels of humidity since this could cause leaf damage and rotting roots. It is essential to water the soil evenly, but not too much. The rubber plant must be kept between moderate and warm.
The plants that filter air and are therefore beneficial to those with allergies or respiratory problems. They can help reduce dust and odors as well as ease eye irritation. This plant could also assist to reduce the amount benzene found in your home.
Like all houseplants, the rubber plant can be vulnerable to a variety of pests, especially spider mites. These tiny insects feed on sap of the plant and may become attached to its leaves. It's easy to eliminate of these unwanted visitors. Simply clean the leaves with a damp cloth lightly misted with insecticidal soap or neem.