Air Purifier 🪴 House Plants Alternative

A Surprising Alternative
To An Air Purifier
 

Purify the air without an air filter by buying potted plants that naturally clean your air. Some good choices are Rubber trees, Corn plants, Bamboo Palm, Ficus, Gerbera Daisies, English Ivy, Peace Lily and Philodendrons. 

 15 Houseplants 
to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Plants help clean indoor air, which is typically far more polluted than outdoor air. Find out what common toxins these plants can filter out of the air in your home.

In the late 1980s, NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America studied houseplants as a way to purify the air in space facilities. They found several plants that filter out common volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

Lucky for us the plants can also help clean indoor air on Earth, which is typically far more polluted than outdoor air. 
Other studies have since been published in the Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science further proving the science. Here's our handy of list of the best air-filtering plants. (Plus, at the bottom of this story, you'll find links about plants that are good for the air and also safe for your pets.)

Aloe

(Aloe Vera)

This easy-to-grow, sun-loving succulent helps clear formaldehyde and benzene, which can be a byproduct of chemical-based cleaners, paints and more. Aloe is a smart choice for a sunny kitchen window. Beyond its air-clearing abilities, the gel inside an aloe plant can help heal cuts and burns.

Spider Plant
(ChlorophytumComosum)

Even if you tend to neglect houseplants, you'll have a hard time killing this resilient plant. With lots of rich foliage and tiny white flowers, the spider plant battles benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene, a solvent used in the leather, rubber and printing industries.  Great indoor plant for removing toxins or impurities. Spider plants are one of three plants NASA deems best at removing formaldahyde from the air.

Gerbera Daisy
(Gerbera Jamesonii)

This bright, flowering plant is effective at removing trichloroethylene, which you may bring home with your dry cleaning. It's also good for filtering out the benzene that comes with inks. Add one to your laundry room or bedroom - presuming you can give it lots of light. Not only do these gorgeous flowers remove benzene from the air, they’re known to improve sleep by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving off more oxygen over night.

Mother-in-Law's Tongue
Snake Plant
(Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii')

 

This plant is one of the best for filtering out formaldehyde, which is common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissues and personal care products. Put one in your bathroom — it'll thrive with low light and steamy humid conditions while helping filter out air pollutants. Found by NASA to absorb nitrogen oxides and formaldahyde.

Golden Pothos
(Scindapsus aures)

Another powerful plant for tackling formaldehyde, this fast-growing vine will create a cascade of green from a hanging basket. Consider it for your garage since car exhaust is filled with formaldehyde. (Bonus: Golden pothos, also know as devil's ivy, stays green even when kept in the dark.)

Chrysanthemum
(Chrysantheium morifolium)

The colorful flowers of a mum can do a lot more than brighten a home office or living room; the blooms also help filter out benzene, which is commonly found in glue, paint, plastics and detergent. This plant loves bright light, and to encourage buds to open, you'll need to find a spot near an open window with direct sunlight.

 

Red-edged Dracaena
(Dracaena marginata)

The red edges of this easy dracaena bring a pop of color, and the shrub can grow to reach your ceiling. This plant is best for removing xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde, which can be introduced to indoor air through lacquers, varnishes and gasoline.

 

Weeping fig
(Ficus benjamina)

  A weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) in your living room can help filter out pollutants that typically accompany carpeting and furniture such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. Caring for a ficus can be tricky, but once you get the watering and light conditions right, they will last a long time.

Azalea
(Rhododendron simsii)

 

Bring this beautiful flowering shrub into your home to combat formaldehyde from sources such as plywood or foam insulation. Because azalea does best in cool areas around 60 to 65 degrees, it's a good option for improving indoor air in your basement if you can find a bright spot.

 

English Ivy
(Hedera helix)

A study found that the plant reduces airborne fecal-matter particles. It has also been shown to filter out formaldehyde found in some household cleaning products.

 

Warneck Dracaena
(Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii')

Combat pollutants associated with varnishes and oils with this dracaena. The Warneckii grows inside easily, even without direct sunlight. With striped leaves forming clusters atop a thin stem, this houseplant can be striking, especially if it reaches its potential height of 12 feet.

 

Chinese Evergreen
(Aglaonema crispum 'Deborah')

  This easy-to-care-for plant can help filter out a variety of air pollutants and begins to remove more toxins as time and exposure continues. Even with low light, it will produce blooms and red berries.

 

Bamboo Palm
(Chamaedorea sefritzii)

Also known as the reed palm, this small palm thrives in shady indoor spaces and often produces flowers and small berries. It tops the list of plants best for filtering out both benzene and trichloroethylene. It's also a good choice for placing around furniture that could be off-gassing formaldehyde. According to NASA, it is also said to act as a natural humidifier.

Heart Leaf Philodendron
(Philodendron oxycardium)

This climbing vine plant isn't a good option if you have kids or pets — it's toxic when eaten, but it's a workhorse for removing all kinds of VOCs. Philodendrons are particularly good at battling formaldehyde from sources like particleboard.

 

Peace Lily
(Spathiphyllum)

Shade and weekly watering are all the peace lily needs to survive and produce blooms. It topped NASA's list for removing all three of most common VOCs — formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. It can also combat toluene and xylene. Peace lilies could be called the “clean-all.” They’re often placed in bathrooms or laundry rooms because they’re known for removing mold spores.

Top 10 Air-Purifying Houseplants

 These plants filter hazardous chemicals from the air. Improve your air quality the natural way.

Most people spend a majority of their time indoors in increasingly well-sealed buildings surrounded by paints and other synthetic materials which off-gas noxious chemicals. These conditions are related to increasing incidences of asthma, allergies and cancer. Indeed, indoor air quality can be much more polluted than outdoor air, up to tenfold.

 

When “sick building syndrome” was first becoming recognized as a growing problem, NASA conducted a study of various houseplants and their effectiveness at filtering out hazardous chemicals from the air. Their findings? Many of the plants were highly effective at removing hazardous chemicals from the air. Not only that, but they can regulate humidity as well. They are also much less expensive than air purifying machines or humidifiers. 

 

The following are the top 10 indoor plants, as rated for ease of maintenance and effectiveness at purifying the air, summarized from NASA's studies. For more information, see B.C. Wolverton's “Eco-friendly Houseplants.”

 

1. Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)

The best performer at removing airborne toxins, it also releases moisture into the air to regulate humidity, and is attractive to look at. It's also effective at removing salt from soil. It is easy to take care of and very resistant to pests. Enjoys semi-sun, temperatures between 65-75 degrees. 

One of the best air purifying plants for general air cleanliness.

2. Lady Palm (Rhapsis excelsa)

The lady palm is easy to care for because it is resistant to pests and grows slowly. Enjoys semi-sun and 60-70 degrees, and not less than 50 degrees during winter.

 

3. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

The bamboo palm can grow to 6 feet and is more resistant to pests than the areca palm. It is also more effective than the areca and the lady palm at removing airborne chemicals. Also an excellent humidifier. Enjoys semi-sun and 60-75 degree temperatures, and not less than 50 degrees.

 

4. Rubber Plant (Ficus robusta, shown above)

The rubber plant, named for the appearance of its leaves, is known for being a plant that requires little light and can tolerate lower temperatures than the previously mentioned plants. It is especially effective at removing the ubiquitous chemical formaldehyde from the air. It can grow to 8 feet. Enjoys semi-sun to semi-shade and 60-80 degree temperatures, and as low as 40 degrees for short periods.

 

5. Dracaena “Janet Craig” (Dracaena deremensis “Janet Craig”)

This plant is one of the most effective at removing trichloroethylene from the air, which is a chemical commonly emitted by photocopiers and similar devices. While the standard variety can grow to 10 feet, the smaller “Compacta” variety reaches only 1-3 feet and requires less maintenance. Enjoys semi-shade (even poorly lit areas) and 60-75 degree temperatures, and not less than 50 degrees. 

 

6. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

English ivy grows well in hanging baskets. It can benefit from some time spent outdoors in the spring or summer. It is especially good at removing formaldehyde from the air. Enjoys semi-sun to semi-shade and 60-70 degrees temperatures, 50-60 degrees at night.

 

7. Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii)

The dwarf date palm can reach a maximum height of about 6 feet and grows slowly. It thrives without much light and can survive for decades. It is very effective at removing xylene from the air, which can come from caulking, adhesives, floor coverings, wall coverings, paints and particle board. Enjoys 60-75 degrees temperatures, but not below 50 degrees.

 

8. Ficus Alii (Ficus macleilandii)

You can find ficus alii grown three ways: one solitary plant, a bush (with multiple stems from one pot), and braided (with multiple stems intertwined). These plants may molt some of their leaves until they adapt to a new space. Enjoys 60-75 degree temperatures, and 55-68 at nights. 

 9. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata “Bostoniensis,” shown above)

The Boston fern grows lush foliage but does not flower. This plant is best grown in a hanging basket or on a pedestal. It is highly effective at removing chemicals and humidifying, but requires a bit more attention than the previous plants. It should be misted regularly. Enjoys 65-75 degrees, and 50-65 at night.

10. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum sp.)

I know, cute name, right? It boasts white, shell-like flowers reminscent of the more common calla lilly and is one of a handful of plants that successfully bloom indoors. Aesthetically pleasing, easy to take care of, and excellent at removing chemicals ... what more could you ask for? Enjoys 60-75 degrees temperatures, and 55-68 at night.

 

 

* For an average home of 2,000 square feet, the study recommends using at least fifteen samples of a good variety of these common houseplants to help improve air quality.
They also recommend that the plants be grown in six inch containers or larger.
(But starting out with one or two to get the hang of having plants is a great start- your collection of plants can then grow from there!) 

 

Also on MNN: 

• Indoor air quality: Be healthy at home

•  Plants poisonous to dogs

• Houseplants that are safe for pets

• What to do if your pet ingests a poisonous plant 

• http://www.mnn.com/health/healthy-spaces/stories/15-houseplants-to-improve-indoor-air-quality