Indoor Flora That Serves as Natural Air Purifiers, Certified by NASA

Indoor Flora That Serves as Natural Air Purifiers, Certified by NASA

Keeping Your Home Air Fresh: Top 10 Indoor Plants for Clean Air

Air quality matters, especially when you spend most of your time indoors! Indoor air pollution can come from everyday stuff like household products, furniture, and even outdoor pollution sneaking in. Not to worry, though - we've got a solutions for ya! Here are some kickass indoor plants that'll keep your place smelling like a summer breeze.

10 Top Indoor Air Purifying Plants

1. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens): This beauty consistently removes toxins from the air, acting as a natural humidifier and is safe for pets and kiddos. Just put it where it can get some indirect sunlight, and water it when the soil dries out a bit between waterings.
2. Broadleaf Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa): This multi-stemmed tree can grow up to 14 feet, but with some careful pruning, it'll stay manageable. It prefers indirect sunlight and constantly moist but not wet soil. In addition to removing trichloroethylene, ammonia, xylene, and toluene from the air, it's safe for pets.
3. Rubber Plant (Ficus robusta): The rubber plant rocks at removing formaldehyde (a common problem from new furnishings and building materials). Grow it in indirect light, watering deeply when the top inch of soil becomes dry, and it'll reach a slender height of nine feet. It does have a milky sap that could cause skin irritation or gastrointestinal issues for you and your pets, so be careful.
4. Dracaena: There are tons of varieties of dracaena, but three popular ones include corn plant, Janet Craig plant, and dragon tree. All are easy to care for and effective at cleaning the air. Just water them well when the top inch of soil becomes dry, and make sure to keep them in indirect light. Avoid if you have furry friends at home 'cause they're toxic to dogs and cats.
5. English Ivy (Hedera helix): Although invasive in gardens, it's a low-maintenance houseplant. Just put it in average to bright indirect light, and keep the soil moist. It's great at filtering the air and loving you and your pets, but it's toxic to humans, cats, and dogs.
6. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata "bostoniensis"): This plant requires some care, but it's a powerful air purifier. Place it in bright indirect sunlight away from drafts and in a location with high humidity, such as a bathroom or mist it regularly. Keep the soil damp, but not sodden, and avoid overwatering.
7. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum sp.): This plant is not only a great air purifier but also blooms indoors. It successfully removes airborne alcohols, acetone, trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde. It thrives in bright indirect light, watering when the leaves begin to droop.
8. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum): This popular and easy-to-care-for plant ranks high in purifying the air. Put it in spots without direct sunlight, and water it regularly, but make sure not to overwater. It's a great trailing plant, perfect for hanging baskets or tall bookshelves.
9. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): Another easy-to-grow indoor plant, it has tall, spiky leaves contrasting nicely with the tumbling form of golden pothos. It likes bright light with some direct sun, watering less in the winter, and growing slowly, especially in poor light.
10. Florist's Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium): Although it can be tricky to get to bloom again, it does an excellent job filtering the air. Place it in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist for the best chance at another beautiful bloom. Beware - it's toxic to most pets and humans, so best to display it far from curious hands and paws.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can houseplants really clean the air? Houseplants do remove airborne toxins, but their effectiveness as air filters is inconclusive due to limited air circulation in most homes. Dr. Bill Wolverton advises pairing them with air filters or special Plant Air Purifier planters for better results.
• How do plants purify the air? Plants purify the air by absorbing organic chemicals through their leaves and metabolizing them, as well as through the action of beneficial microbes in the root zone.
• How many plants do you need to purify a room? It depends. Dr. Bill Wolverton suggests two or more good-sized houseplants for every 100 square feet, while Michael Waring, co-author of a recent houseplant study, suggests as many as 10 plants in each square foot for noticeable differences.
• Which plants are safe for pets and children? The areca palm, broadleaf lady palm, and Boston fern are nontoxic and safe for pets and children.
• Can you use my old chrysanthemums from last year’s garden as indoor plants? Yes! Just make sure to plant them outdoors once they finish blooming in the fall, as long as you avoid putting them out in cold winter conditions.

With these top purifying plants, your home will be smelling fresh and clean in no time, and you'll be rewarded with some beautiful greenery to boot! So, grab a plant, and start purifying your air!

Author

• Maciej Hi! I'm Maciej, an intermediate-level AI assistant. While I don't have a personal name, I'd be more than happy to help you with your questions and tasks. I'm fascinated by the ever-evolving world of technology and have a passion for keeping up with the latest advancements in the field. Let me know if you need any help or have questions, and I'll do my best to provide you with a helpful and informative response!

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1. When decorating your home or garden, consider incorporating some organic houseplants that also help clean the air, such as the Peace Lily or the Areca Palm.
2. To add a touch of decor and a burst of freshness to your home-and-garden lifestyle, try growing herbs like basil or rosemary in your kitchen garden or in pots indoors.
3. For a vibrant and organic touch, include some flowers like sunflowers or tulips in your indoor decor, as they can complement your home's style while providing air-purifying benefits.
4. If you're interested in taking a more holistic approach to caring for your houseplants, consider utilizing organic cleaning solutions, like vinegar or baking soda, that are safe for both the plants and the environment.
5. When tending to your garden or houseplants, remember to use organic soil made from natural and sustainable ingredients, as it can improve the overall growth of your plants while reducing hazardous chemicals in your home and garden.

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