Low Maintenance Indoor Plants That Clean The Air
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We share the best indoor plants for clean air! These house plants leave the air cleaner in your home and healthier.
Did you know that we now spend on average 90% of our time indoors! According to The EPA our indoor spaces often have up to 5 times higher concentrations of some pollutants than outdoors.
You can help reduce these pollutants by cleaning and deep cleaning your home often. But there are other ways you can help make the air cleaner in your home. That is with air purifying plants.
Not only will these common house plants act as a natural air purifier, but they will also leave your home looking and feeling amazing. As an added bonus, having indoor house plants have been shown to help reduce stress and boost your mood.
If you are not a natural green thumb then don’t worry as many of these are low maintenance indoor plants!
Why You Need Air Purifying Indoor Plants
You may think your home is clean and clear from nasty toxins but you will be surprised to find out just how many chemicals there are in the average home, and where they come from!
Here is a list of some of the most common toxins you have in your home:
- Formaldehyde
- Benzene and Trichloroethylene
- Carbon Monoxide
- Nitrogen Oxides
- Pesticides
- Biological Airborne Pollutants.
- Phenols ( Disinfectants)
- Radon
- Electromagnetic Frequencies (Wifi, Laptops, Cell Phones etc)
And how they get into your home:
- Cleaning: Products such as laundry detergent and bleach.
- Safety Items: Most things like mattresses, soft furnishings, and even children’s sleepwear all contain flame retardants made from chemicals.
- Fabrics, Carpet, upholstery, and clothing.
Major home improvements such as painting or laying new carpet can release even more chemicals than usual into your home environment.
Luckily using air purifying house plants is such a simple way to help keep your home healthy. For best results try to have two of the below plants per 100 feet of space in your home. And more plants in the most frequently used rooms of your home.
What Are The Best Air Cleaning Plants?
You may think that all this is just overreaction, right?
What if we told you that all this evidence is from NASA?
It may seem a little strange to think of these as NASA air cleaning plants, but back in the late 1980’s NASA’s Clean Air Study looked into air quality while trying to find solutions into the symptoms of individuals who were having health issues from being in poorly ventilated spaces.
They came up with the solution of using the know known NASA plants to clean the air. The original list has 50 indoor plants that can help remove pollutants from the air. You can read more about the fascinating study and further studies by Dr. Wolverton through his book:
We thought 50 plants may be a little overwhelming so have narrowed it down to a shorter list of easy house plants everyone can look after in their home.
Where To Buy House Plants?
To make getting the best air purifying plants even easier for you, all these plants are available on Amazon! No need to go to a nursery or garden center! We have included easy ways to click and order for each plant.
Indoor Plants That Clean The Air And Remove Toxins
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
One of the most common house plants. These are super easy to care for as they are low light houseplants and do not need watering much. These tropical plants also bloom with a gorgeous white flower.
As it removes acetone from the air it is great to put near electronics, making them good office plants.
Pollutants Removed: Formaldehyde, Carbon Monoxide, Trichloroethylene,VOC Benzene, Ammonia.
Plant Care: Keep out of direct sunlight. When leaves start to droop, water the plant.
Notes: These plants are toxic to humans and pets. Wash your hands after touching and if they are eaten seek medical help if nausea or burning follow.
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English Ivy (Hedera helix)
The English Ivy is one of the best air-filtering plants and makes great indoor hanging plants. It is also known to help reduce allergens in the air.
Pollutants Removed: Reduces mold, Xylene, Formaldehyde, Benzene,
Plant Care: Keep the soil well drained and have this plant in an area where it will get direct sunlight for a few hours a day.
Notes: If cared for this plant can last for several years.
easyorghome-20″ target=”_blank”>Click To Get The Number One Plant For Clean Air
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Also known as Mother-In-Law’s Tongue, this is one plant that is impossible to kill. If you are looking for low light indoor plants or are new to keeping plants then this is one of the easiest indoor plants. Because of the snake plant benefits, they are also perfect as air purifying plants for bedroom.
Pollutants Removed: Nitrogen Oxide, Trichloroethylene, Benzene, Formaldehyde, Xylene.
Plant Care: Don’t overwater as it prefers dry conditions and when you remember, put it in some direct sunlight for a few hours.
Notes: Can be toxic to pets if eaten.
Click To Find Snake Plants Online
Pollutants Removed: Formaldehyde, Benzene, Trichloroethylene
Plant Care: Best with indirect sunlight and warmer rooms.
Notes: These can grow up to 12 feet making them perfect if you are looking for tall indoor plants.
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Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum ‘Vittatum’)
Spider Plants are super easy indoor plants. They make gorgeous hanging plants for indoors and grow small offshoot plants that you can repot.
Pollutants Removed: Benzene, Formaldehyde, Xylene
Plant Care: Put in bright direct sunlight
Notes: This plant is also known to help reduce stress levels.
easyorghome-20″ target=”_blank”>Find The Best Spider Plants Here.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepsis exaltata)
Although these ferns are a little harder to look after they are fantastic plants for air quality. They also make beautiful looking plants for bathrooms.
Pollutants Removed: Xylene, Formaldehyde
Plant Care: These ferns prefer high humidity and indirect sunlight. You will have to mist them nearly daily.
Notes: Although these plants like moisture they don’t like their soil to be constantly wet.
Click here to order your plant from Amazon!
Garden Mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
If you want plants for air purification that also flower then these indoor plant pots are perfect. You can get them in a huge variety of colors to suit your decor or mood.
Pollutants Removed: Trichloroethylene, Ammonia, Benzene, Formaldehyde, Toluene
Plant Care: Put in direct sunlight and water regularly. After they have finished flowering you can plant them in your garden.
Notes: These plants are toxic to pets.
Grow Your Own Garden Mum’s here.
Dragon Tree (Dracaena)
There are so many different varieties of Dracaena that you will be sure to find one that is perfect for your home. You can find ones with green leaves, purple and a gorgeous red-edged ( Dracaena reflexa ) variety too.
These are low maintenance houseplants and can live for over a decade. It is one of the best air purifying plants according to NASA for clearing the air of trichloroethylene. This is an industrial solvent found in many items around the home.
Pollutants Removed: Benzene, Formaldehyde, Xylene, Trichloroethylene
Plant Care: This plant prefers indirect sunlight and does not like to be over or under watering.
Notes: These cool house plants look amazing but are toxic to pets.
easyorghome-20″ target=”_blank”>Find a variety of Dragon Tree to suit your home here.
Plant Care: Likes indirect sunlight and to be watered often. Be sure to let the soil dry between watering though.
Notes: Poisonous to Pets
We hope these houseplants that clean the air, have inspired you to get some gorgeous inside plants. Not only will your home actually be healthier but will look amazing too.
Other Posts For A Healthier Home:
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