House Plants That Clean the Air
Greenery can enhance the air quality of your home and ease stress. Plants are also great for bringing color and style to your décor.
Previous experiments have revealed that certain plants can absorb pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene through their roots or leaves.
This list of popular house plants that help to clean the air will help you choose the best plants for your home.
Snake Plant
The snake plant, also known as Mother-in Law's Tongue as it is sometimes called is among the easiest house plants to care for and grow. potted house plants create an attractive centerpiece for any room, and it is known for its ability to filter airborne toxins and pollutants. NASA's clean air study discovered that snake plants, along with other common houseplants, remove toxic substances like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and toluene. They do this by releasing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide by photosynthesis in the night.
The snake plant is a good alternative for people who have difficulty sleeping due to poor indoor air quality. It's also a great choice for people who have pets as it is non-toxic to animals and humans alike.
Avoid overwatering when caring for snake plants. This is because snake plants are native to rocky, arid areas and do not like being soaked. It is recommended to let the soil to dry between waterings. A simple water meter can assist you in determining the amount of moisture the soil has.
There are many varieties of snake plants that are available at garden centers. Sansevieria Trifaciata Twist, with its twisted and striped leaves can reach 14 inches (35.5cm). tall and Sansevieria trifaciata "Bantel's Sensation," which has narrow leaves that are striped vertically with yellow variegated edges. They can grow to 3 feet (91.4 cm.) tall.
Snake plants aren't just easy to maintain, they are they are also versatile and durable. They can be grown under different conditions such as low-light. They are also resistant to diseases and pests and are therefore a safe houseplant for beginners who are just beginning with indoor gardening.
Aloe Vera
The aloe vera plant has long been a favorite of many due to its skincare and healing properties. Its gel can heal wounds, soothe burns, moisturize the skin and reduce wrinkles. It is also helpful for digestion and other health problems. Aloe vera plants clean the air by removing harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that build up over time in stagnant indoor spaces.
VOCs are chemicals that are released into the atmosphere from various household products like glue, paint and cleaning supplies. These toxins can cause headaches, dizziness and other symptoms when they are inhaled for prolonged durations of time. Aloe vera plants remove these toxins and aid in purifying the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and other harmful compounds during photosynthesis.
Aloe vera is especially effective at reducing air toxins by photosynthesis. This makes them a fantastic home plant to remove VOCs and other harmful substances.
This plant thrives in bright light so put it on your windowsill or in a sunny location outside. Make sure it gets at least six hours of sunlight per day. Aloe can withstand very dry environments, but a lack of sunlight will make it leggy and weaken its leaves. It also becomes susceptible to insects such as mealybugs or scales.
The English Ivy is another great plant to have in your home because it helps reduce airborne fecal-matter which can cause harm if inhaled for an extended period 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 most conditions, and requires little water. The plant also releases an aroma that is pleasant when it is in bloom. Be aware that English Ivy is a climber. It can damage surfaces or knock them over.
Weeping Fig
Weeping figs, also known as Ficus benjamina, have been popular as a houseplant since Victorian times. They help to purify the air by getting rid of common household toxins, such as formaldehyde as well as other xylenes. low maintenance house plants and is easy to care for and is tolerant of high humidity. It should be kept in a location with bright indirect light and light shade. Be sure to water frequently however, avoid over-watering. Move it outside during the warmer months to an area in the morning sun or afternoon shade, but don't place it near windows that are drafty, as this can cause excessive leaf fall.
The tropical plant is typically advertised as an indoor tree. Its arching stems are covered in small green, variegated or green leaves. Growers sometimes braid the branches for a decorative topiary effect. Fancy cultivars include "Indigo" with dark-green glossy foliage, 'Midnight' that has loose leaves and 'SilverCloud and 'Monique' that have wide-spread variegated leaves.
Also called the peace lily or spathiphyllum this plant is easy to care for and tolerates low lighting conditions. It is also among NASA's top-performing plants to remove airborne Volatile Organic Compounds such as formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and benzene.
Keep the plant away from direct sunlight as the sun's rays can burn the leaves. During the growing season, you should water it every 10 days. Repot once a spring.
Like other evergreens, this plant goes dormant in the fall and winter. This is the time to decrease the amount of watering and stop fertilizing. However, the plant will not shed its leaves as deciduous trees.
The ficus plant is vulnerable to scale and spider mites. insects. To prevent pest infestations, take out any foliage that is infested and wash the leaves of the plant to eliminate their spores. To make weeping figs more propagable, cut a stem using at least two sets of leaves and place the cutting approximately 1/4 inch below the set of healthy leaves. The cutting will soon root when placed in a moist potting mix and lightly cover it with a rooting hormone. You can also grow the plant from seeds, which are typically available in late summer and autumn. Seeds can be stored in a cool, dry area for up to 2 years.
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica, commonly known as the rubber plant or fig, is one 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 into the roots. In a recent research it was found that the roots of the rubber plant are more effective than other houseplants at eliminating the toxins.
The rubber plant is a perennial evergreen that can grow to be quite large outdoors in warm climates, but it typically is smaller when it is grown as a houseplant. In its native habitat it has fragrant greenish-white flowers that bloom in spring. They produce inedible fig like fruit after pollination. The leaves of this beautiful plant are what people see and not the flowers.
good house plants is highly prized for its ability to cleanse the air and to help in the air purification process, but also to be used as an living bridge and to make bouncy ball in India. It also happens to be extremely tolerant in terms of care, which is another reason why it is a wonderful houseplant.
Contrary to other houseplants the rubber plant does not require lots of sunlight. It can adapt to areas of darkness and thrives in light to moderate light. Avoid high humidity levels as they can result in leaf damage and root rot. It is important to water the soil evenly but not overly. The ideal temperatures for the rubber plant are between warm and average room temperatures. It should be kept away from drafts.
Rubber plants filter the air and therefore are beneficial to those with allergies or respiratory problems. They have been proven to reduce odors, dust and chemicals, and may help to ease irritation to the eyes as well. The plant is also believed to lower the levels of benzene that are present in the home.
The rubber plant, as all houseplants is susceptible to pests. Spider mites are a particular concern. These tiny insects feed on plant's sap and can cling to the leaves. It is simple to get rid of these unwanted guests by gently wiping away the leaves with a towel that has been lightly misted with Neem oil or insecticidal soap.