Air purifying plants are one of nature’s most important yet unsung heroes. In a world where outside air quality is often poor and indoor air pollution is prevalent, many people are stuck buying expensive air purifiers for their space.

 

Instead of throwing money at an air purifier, there’s a large variety of plants that’ll quietly battle toxins and increase the indoor air quality in your living spaces. Not only do these plants do a great job at promoting clean air, but they’re quite beautiful too! Let your plant be an inspiring piece of decoration you will come to love. Read further to find out more about some of the best air purifying plants available!

 

 

Can Plants Purify the Air?

One of the most useful and well-known functions of plants in the natural world is their ability to filter carbon monoxide to produce fresh air. Perhaps even more impressive is that many plants are great at filtering a variety of harmful chemicals. An important environmental pollution study conducted by Nasa in 1989 found certain plants capable of filtering out common household toxins like:

 

• Benzene
• Formaldehyde
• Trichloroethylene
• Toluene
• Xylene

 

Why Does Air Quality Matter?

Good air quality is an essential aspect of maintaining your health, but because it is not something we can always see, it can be hard to tell the difference between fresh air and air tainted by pollution. Going about our daily lives, sometimes this can result in an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality. Yet, experiencing the effects of bad air is a sure but potentially dangerous way to understand why air quality matters.

 

The average American spends about 90% of their time indoors, where pollutants fester  2 to 5 times the average amount outdoors! While we don’t see our furniture and decorations as releasing toxins, many products emit gasses called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These air pollutants contribute to various problems ranging from mild but inconvenient discomforts to dangerous long-term afflictions.

 

Short Term Problems From VOCs

• Eye, nose, and throat irritation
• Shortness of breath
• Headaches
• Tiredness
• Upset stomach
• Dizziness and skin problems

 

Long Term Afflictions From VOCs

• Irritation of the lungs
• Damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system

 

 

 

What Are the Benefits of Having Air Purifying Plants?

The greatest benefit of owning air purifying plants is, of course, the plant’s ability to provide your living space with a consistent supply of fresh, clean air! But the benefits your plants grant not only through access to clean air but also in reducing irritants that may negatively affect us.

 

Plants bring many benefits by reducing air pollutants in indoor spaces, but they may provide less obvious benefits. Even the most modest houseplants are beautiful, and many plant owners experience a mood boost by being in the same space as these living pieces of art. Plants are also thought to provide benefits like:

 

• Fresher Air
• Increased focus
• Enhanced memory
• Reduced stress

 

Without proper indoor air pollution reduction, we are more likely to experience allergy-like symptoms in our homes. This can include annoyances such as a stuffy nose, burning or itchy eyes, and even skin rashes.

 

Having fresh air in your home is extra important for those with asthma or other conditions causing sensitivity to airborne irritants. These issues may disrupt many aspects of your life, leading to prolonged sickness if left untreated. Indoor plants manage harmful toxins while humidifying your space, promoting clean air.

 

Although slightly slower than indoor air purifiers, the best air purifying plants may provide you with many extra benefits without a cable. If you want to take an earth-friendly, mindful path towards cleaner air and better living, air-purifying plants might be right for you. Plants are the most natural and environmentally friendly way of cleansing your space.

 

 

Which Air Purifying Plants Are Best for My Home?

The natural world is host to many plants with a wide range of applications. While most, if not all, of these plants, function as some kind of air purifier, some have proven to be extra effective.

 

Devil’s Ivy

A notable member of the Pothos plant family, Devil’s Ivy is a hardy plant that thrives with low light and infrequent watering. With shiny, heart-shaped leaves and many varieties, Pothos plants make for an exciting addition to your plant collection.

 

In NASA’s environmental pollution study, Devil’s Ivy purified the air of many harmful chemicals found in cleaning products. The Devil’s Ivy is far more angelic than its name suggests. With its deep green leaves, this plant is sure to brighten your home and thrives in a planter, pot, or hanging basket!

 

Spider Plant

The Spider Plant is a favorite for new growers because of its resilient nature and ability to thrive indirectly. Spider plants get their name from the low-hanging spider-like offshoots which develop as your plant grows larger. You can use these offshoots to grow even more spider plants for your home, giving you the ability to grow as many baby Spider Plants as you would like! (This process is called propagation!)

 

Your resilient Spider Plants will do best in well-drained soil and will be happy either in hanging baskets or desktop planters. All-in-all, the Spider Plant is a resilient plant capable of purifying the air while thriving under various conditions.

 

Snake Plant

Sometimes referred to as Mother in Law’s Tongue, the Snake Plant is a slow-growing plant with good tolerance to low watering frequency. Snake Plants grow sharp, sword-like leaves, making them unique and impressive for decorating your space. Aside from its appearance, the Snake Plant is an easily grown plant that thrives in direct sunlight and grows fine in low-light environments.

 

Snake Plant roots tend to spread out rather than digging deep, so house your plant in a clay pot so that as growth occurs, the pot will crack, showing it is time to move to a larger home! Because Snake Plants are sensitive to repotting, only repot when necessary.

 

Chinese Evergreen

Another slow grower, Chinese Evergreen plants, makes a great addition to a plant collection needing some extra color. The Chinese Evergreen is a unique ornamental plant with large green leaves and many variants of accent colors. Chinese Evergreens thrive in indirect light and are happiest in warm, humid conditions.

 

Chinese Evergreen’s need moist soil at all times to keep them happy. But be sure to cut back this watering during the winter months, as your Chinese Evergreen will only need to be watered around half as often! Still, they are not fussy plants and will be forgiving to owners with less experience.

 

Aloe

Aloe is an incredibly hardy succulent plant in many different varieties, with Aloe Vera being the most common. Having a healing Aloe plant in your life can provide many benefits to go along with its air purification qualities. Aloe plants work best for healing burns, moisturizing skin, and even as an ingredient to create food and drinks!

 

With spines along the side of its long sharp leaves, Aloe is filled with a sticky gel, responsible for most of the plant’s benefits and applications. Aloe thrives best in sandy soil and should grow fine with care consisting of watering whenever the soil dries up and pruning if necessary.

 

Peace Lilies

When considering a decorative plant to go in your home or office, the Peace Lily is a great option for those who want to avoid a high-maintenance project. Topped with a white leaf, often mistaken for a flower, the Peace Lily is beautiful to look at and effectively provides a stream of clean oxygen. Peace Lilies are susceptible to overwatering but are very tolerant to dehydration, so it is best to water your Peace Lilies only when the soil looks and feels dry.

 

Rubber Plant

Formally known as Ficus elastica, the Rubber Plant is a medium-sized houseplant growable in a small indoor tree if desired. The sap from this plant was formerly manufactured rubber production, resulting in its amiable nickname. Rubber Plants do well under bright indirect light and can be placed in a small or medium-sized container depending upon whether you would like to restrict or increase the growing size of the plant.

 

Watering frequency depends on the season and will be more frequent in its summer growing months, where it will need watering whenever the soil looks dry. Less frequent watering during the winter months will suffice.

 

English Ivy

English Ivy is a great option for a collector in need of a nice hanging plant. According to NASA, English Ivy stands as the number one plant for efficient air purification in indoor environments! Ivy grows well in small pots and will thrive when grouped, so don’t worry if it looks like the planter you’re using is smaller than you expected.

 

If planted in a hanging basket, English Ivy will compliment your room with its cascading flow of leaves or in a planter for an overflowing effect. So long as the soil remains moist, your Ivy will reward you with its beauty while aiding in creating a cleaner, healthier air.

 

 

How Many Air Purifying Plants Do You Need to Clean the Air?

The exact amount of plants proven to purify a space depends on the variety and size of the plants. Though the NASA studies from 1989 recommend 15-18 plants to clean the air of an average-sized home. In other words, one plant per 100 square feet should be good enough to keep your indoor air quality fresh and clean.

 

 

 

 

Why Buy an Air Purifying Plant from Planted Pot?

It’s simple: Planted Pot provides all the best plants for air purification. You can even get them bundled, so you know you are around the best of the best! You can also discover a variety of other interesting plants. Explore around and find a plant you’ve never heard of! Planted Pot bolsters both fast shipping times and a money-back guarantee. It’s never been easier to get your hands on beautiful plant friends with Planted Pot.

 

 

Final Thoughts- Air Purifying Plants

Some people say nature responds to everything, acting as the patron to countless processes keeping our Earth at balance, all while remaining a constant inspiration to people through their amazing combination of beauty and utility. Air purifying plants are a testament to nature’s profound ability to cleanse spaces of toxins and bring out the best in the people who care for them, so try one today and find out for yourself!