Home gardens not only enhance your space and add life, they have been shown to provide many health benefits – including reduced stress levels and anxiety relief, as well as improving mood.
Many plants can help remove harmful gases from the air. Certain varieties, like spider plants, can even help remove carbon monoxide.
1. Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum (peace lily) is an iconic indoor foliage plant that’s easy to care for, earning its moniker from its white flowers which resemble a peace symbol.
Air purifying plants such as spider plants are excellent air-purifiers because they remove both benzene and formaldehyde as well as increase humidity by producing moisture. Spider plants prefer bright, indirect lighting conditions with warm temperatures and moist soil for best growth.
Avoid overwatering by allowing the soil to dry between waterings. Also, to protect it from root rot, ensure its container drains well.
2. Dragon Tree
The Dragon Tree (Dracaena cinnabari) is an easy-care tropical evergreen that makes an excellent indoor plant. Resistant to pests, but susceptible to webbing if air temperatures become too dry.
Growing them in light, free-draining compost that has been amended with grit is best. Water regularly, allowing the top centimetre of soil to dry between watering sessions; only repot when roots become congested; reduce watering and fertilizer during winter to prevent frost damage.
3. Rubber Plant
Rubber plants (Ficus elastica) rank highly for their ability to remove formaldehyde, xylene, trichloroethylene and benzene from indoor air quality. Furthermore, their high transpiration rates raise indoor humidity levels significantly.
Plantago species thrive in medium to bright indirect light and are best cared for when watered only as the top few centimetres of their potting mix become dry, needing misting regularly in summer to protect their leaves from scorch marks.
Keep an eye out for leaves drooping as this indicates overwatering, and repot as necessary in winter if necessary.
4. Weeping Fig
Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) is another well-loved houseplant that makes an excellent topiary choice, especially if its stems are braided together or grown in a bonsai pot.
These plants thrive with medium indirect light and regular watering schedules, making it suitable as houseplants that can eventually grow to be tall and wide in their surroundings.
Repotting this plant can be risky; as its leaves will respond negatively to environmental change. Do what you can to avoid this happening!
5. Snake Plant
Snake plants can help create a healthier indoor environment while repelling pests and mitigating pollution, and propagation through leaf cuttings is simple and straightforward.
Cleaners are particularly adept at filtering airborne pollutants like benzene (which has been linked to low blood counts), xylene, toluene and formaldehyde emitted by cooking, smoking, cosmetic products, paints and varnishes – sources which emit formaldehyde emissions such as formaldehyde.
Your thick leaves act as natural sound absorbers to help you relax and unwind, and are also highly adaptable; they can withstand sun-drenched sunlight, dry air, underwatering, or neglectful caretakers.
6. Dracaena
Dracaena houseplants are well-known for their air-purifying abilities. Many species within this family such as Janet Craig (Dracaena deremensis), Warneck (Dracaena deremensis ‘Warneckii’), and Cornstalk (Dracaena marginata or Massangeana), have proven effective at filtering harmful toxins out of the atmosphere through photosynthesis.
As with other tropical plants, dracaenas thrive best under warm temperatures and high humidity levels. Dry or flaky leaves indicate insufficient humidity levels or may indicate fungal disease; so mist it frequently to increase moisture levels and ensure optimal plant growth.
7. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is an essential plant for any home. Not only can it relieve burns and soothe facial cuts, it can also be used as an air purifier by converting carbon dioxide to oxygen while eliminating formaldehyde, xylene and benzene from the atmosphere. Also referred to as mother-in-law tongue.
Leaves will droop when thirsty, alerting you when water needs to be added. Easy care and low light environments thrive with these plants!
A spider plant’s antiseptic and purifying qualities help it filter out toxins while simultaneously keeping bacteria and fungus at bay in your home environment.
8. Boston Fern
Ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) are easy to care for plants that have enhanced parlor rooms since Victorian times. Ferns contribute to improving air quality by filtering out formaldehyde and xylene from household products like furniture, perfumes, resin paints and air fresheners – two common toxic gases found in furniture products, perfumes, resin paints and air fresheners – that may release these harmful toxins into the air.
Plants requiring indirect light, regular misting and high humidity require indirect lighting, regular misting and high humidity for proper growth. Avoid placing it near heaters or hot air vents as this could dry out its roots; additionally avoid fertilizing this plant as this could cause it to wilt prematurely.
