As an avid gardener and lover of house plants, I can personally attest to the fact that these tiny green friends do more for your home’s décor than meets the eye—scientific research has shown that they purify the air.
Most of us are aware that living in a healthy environment requires clean air. Both indoor and outdoor air pollution have a significant negative impact on life quality.
According to research by the Environmental Protection Agency, interior air can contain higher levels of contaminants than outdoor air, which might eventually cause “sick building syndrome” symptoms like fatigue, fogginess, and difficulty concentrating (1). Your likelihood of experiencing these symptoms increases with the amount of time you spend indoors in areas with poor air quality.
Also, headaches, lightheadedness, coughing, and wheezing can be brought on by contaminated indoor air, particularly if you already have allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions. Regrettably, a lot of the time the products we use to try to clean the air also include dangerous substances.
Plants breathe by releasing oxygen into the atmosphere and taking in carbon dioxide, as is often known. However, they also absorb other gases and substances during this process, including potentially dangerous volatile organic compounds.
NASA research indicates that a minimum of one medium-sized houseplant per 100 square feet is an effective way to reduce volatile organic compounds. Furthermore, in only one day, cultivating two to four houseplants for every 100 square feet can eliminate up to 87 percent of air pollutants.
My Top Five Houseplants for Purifying the Air
Keep in mind that giving your houseplants the essential care they need to fulfill their air-purifying purpose! For example, they grow quicker and purify the air better the lighter they receive.
Investing in a few new air-clearing plants now would be great! As the days lengthen, they will expand more quickly, revitalizing buildings that have been stale due to the winter’s dormancy. These are currently my top five picks:
1. Chinese Evergreen
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One of the most beautiful air-scrubbing plants is the Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema), which has noticeable stripes on its leaves and occasionally blooms. It can also be ignored over extended periods of time and yet remain content.
While Chinese evergreens can be grown in low-light conditions, they thrive in medium- and bright-light conditions. However, it should be noted that they should be protected from the afternoon sun. If watering regimens are not overly consistent, this plant can tolerate them. One of the quickest ways to harm almost any plant is to overwater it.
2. Dracaenas
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Numerous kinds of dracaenas display woody stems that resemble trees as they mature. These stately plants can eventually reach a height of 5 to 6 feet. They work incredibly well to give bedrooms and workspaces a striking pop of texture. Limelight dracaena is a great option for adding brightness to any space.
Regular home circumstances are ideal for dracaena growth, and they will flourish in areas with medium to strong light. Water dracaenas once a week or so, or whenever the soil surface starts to dry out.
3. Peace Lily
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Peace lilies or Spathiphyllum, are a popular choice for décor because of their wide green leaves and gorgeous white calla-like blossoms. In addition, the plant is at the top of NASA’s list for eliminating the most prevalent VOCs. Choose the Domino peace lily instead because of its glossy, dark-green leaves that are speckled with white.
The peace lily can tolerate low light levels but does best in bright or medium light. It is frequently shy to blossom in low light. When the top inch or two of the potting mix dries out to the touch, it must be watered often. The plant is prone to withering severely when it dries up, but don’t worry—adding water causes it to quickly recover.
4. Philodendron
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Traditional philodendron cultivars grow almost anyplace and require little maintenance. Many are great when planted on a trellis or trailing from a hanging basket since they love to climb. This season, choose variegated Brazil philodendron or green heartleaf philodendron for a more fanciful shape.
Although they can withstand extremely low light, these plants thrive in areas with medium to high light levels. When the soil surface dries, give philodendrons adequate water. If left too damp, they would rot, just as Chinese evergreen.
5. ZZ Plant
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Beginners will love ZZ plants since they grow well almost anywhere, from sunny kitchen windows to shady corners. This plant can tolerate low light levels and few waterings; it’s that resilient. It an excellent indoor air purifier that removes airborne contaminants such as xylene, toluene, and benzene (2).
Related Post: Healthy Home, Happy Plants: Tips to Stop Mold Growth on Houseplants
To Wrap Things Up
Adding houseplants into your home not only enhances your décor but also significantly improves indoor air quality. By choosing plants like the Chinese evergreen, dracaena, peace lily, philodendron, and ZZ plant, you can enjoy both aesthetic beauty and health benefits.
These green companions effectively filter out harmful pollutants, creating a fresher, healthier living environment. Remember, caring for your plants ensures they continue to thrive and purify your air. Embrace the green revolution and breathe easier with the natural air-cleaning power of houseplants!
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