20 Myths About House Plants That Clean The Air: Busted
House Plants That Clean the Air
Greenery can improve the air quality in your home and help reduce stress. Plants are also great for adding colour and style to your home decor.
Previous experiments have revealed that certain plants are able to absorb pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene from their leaves or roots.
To help you pick the most suitable house plants for your home We've put together this list of plants that can purify the air.
Snake Plant
The snake plant, also known as Mother-in-Law's Tongue is among the simplest house plants to cultivate and care for. The wavy, strappy leaves make it a beautiful centerpiece for any room. It is also known for its ability to remove airborne pollutants and poisons. NASA's clean air study discovered that snake plants, as well as other common houseplants, remove toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, toluene and trichloroethylene. It does so by uptaking carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis in the evening.
The snake plant is a great alternative for people who have trouble sleeping due to poor indoor air quality. It's also a good choice for people who have pets, as it's non-toxic to animals and humans.
Avoid overwatering when caring for snake plants. This is because snake plants are native to rocky, arid regions and don't like being soggy. It is best to let the soil dry out a bit in between waterings. A simple water meter can assist you in determining the amount of soil moisture is present.
If you're looking to add an exotic snake plant to your home there are many cultivars to discover at the majority of garden centers. Some of the most sought-after include Sansevieria trifaciata "Twist," with twisted and striped leaves and grows to about 14 inches (35.5 cm.) tall and Sansevieria trifaciata "Bantel's Sensation," which has leaves that are narrow, striped vertically with yellow variegated edges. They can grow up to 3 feet (91.4 cm.) tall.
Snake plants are not just easy to care for, but they are also versatile and durable. They can be grown in a variety of conditions, including low light. They are also resistant to disease and pests, making them a safe houseplant for those who are just beginning with indoor gardening.
Aloe Vera
The aloe plant has long been a popular choice for many because of its skincare and healing properties. Its gel helps heal burns, heal wounds, moisturize the skin and prevent wrinkles. It also aids in digestion and a host of other health issues. Aloe Vera plants purify air by removing harmful organic volatile compounds (VOCs) that accumulate over time in stagnant interior spaces.
VOCs are chemicals that are released into the air by a broad range of household items such as glue, paint, and cleaning supplies. These contaminants can cause headaches dizziness and other symptoms when they are inhaled for prolonged durations of time. Aloe vera plants eliminate these toxins and aid in purifying the air by absorption of carbon dioxide and other harmful compounds during photosynthesis.
Aloe vera is particularly effective at reducing air toxins by photosynthesis. This makes them a fantastic houseplant to eliminate VOCs, and other toxic substances.
This plant thrives in bright light so place it on your windowsill or in a sunny spot outside. Be sure to give it at least six hours of sunlight per day. Aloe is tolerant of dry environments. However, the absence of sunlight can cause the leaves to shrink and get sagging. It can also become susceptible to insects such as mealybugs or scales.
The English Ivy is another great plant to keep in your home since it helps reduce airborne fecal-matter which could be harmful if inhaled for a prolonged time. The plant is antiseptic and releases oxygen in the evening, allowing it effectively to clear the air.
This plant is very easy to take care of and can be found in many garden centers, or on the internet. It thrives in most conditions, and requires little water. It also emits a pleasant scent when it is in bloom. Be aware that English Ivy is a climber. It can cause damage to surfaces or even knock them over.
Weeping Fig
Weeping figs, or Ficus benjamina, have been popular as a houseplant since Victorian times. They aid in purifying the air by removing common household toxins like formaldehyde as well as other xylenes. This evergreen is easy to care for and tolerates high levels of humidity. Keep it in an area with bright indirect lighting and some light shade. Water frequently, but avoid over-watering. It is best to move it outdoors during the warmer months, to a location that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. Avoid placing it near windows with drafty air, as this may cause excessive leaf fall.
The tropical plant is typically sold as an indoor tree. good house plants that arch are covered with small, green or variegated foliage. The branches are braided to create a topiary appearance. The most beautiful cultivars are 'Indigo' with dark-green, glossy foliage, 'Midnight' that has loose leaves and 'SilverCloud' and 'Monique' with broad variegated leaves.
This plant, also referred to as spathiphyllum or peacelily, is easy to maintain and can tolerate low light conditions. It is also NASA's most efficient plant to remove airborne Volatile Organic Compounds like formaldehyde and benzene.
Keep this plant away from direct sunlight, because the sun's rays could burn the leaves. Water it regularly during the growing season and once every 10 days during winter. Repot once a spring.
low maintenance house plants , like many others, goes dormant in the autumn and winter. This is the time to reduce the amount of water and stop fertilizing. However, it does not shed its leaves like deciduous trees.
The ficus is susceptible spider mites, scale insects and thrips. To prevent pest infestations, take out the infested leaves and wash the leaves of the plant to remove their spores. To reproduce weeping figues, cut a stem with at least two sets leaves and place the cutting 14 inch below one set of healthy leaves. The cutting will grow quickly when placed in moist potting mix and lightly coated with a rooting hormone. You can also propagate the plant with seeds, which you will find in the summer months or early autumn. Seeds can be stored in a dry area for up to two years.
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica, also known as the rubber plant or fig, is among NASA's top indoor air purifier plants. Its large leaves absorb pollutants and toxins and are believed to break them into harmless compounds that are then absorbed by roots. In a recent study, it was observed that the rubber plant's roots are more effective at eliminating toxic substances than other houseplants.
The rubber plant is a perennial evergreen which can grow to be quite large outdoors in warm climates, but it typically is smaller when it is grown as an indoor plant. In its native habitat, it bears greenish-white fragrant flowers in the spring, which produce a fig-like fruit that is edible after pollination. good house plants of this stunning plant are what most people are drawn to and not the flowers.
The plant is admired for its ability to purify the air, but also to serve as a living bridge as well as to create bouncy balls in India. It is also very easy to maintain and is a great houseplant.
Contrary to other houseplants, the rubber plant does not require a lot of sunlight. It can adapt to dark environments and thrives in low to medium light. Avoid high humidity levels because they can cause damage to the leaves 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 and it should be kept away from drafts.
Due to their ability to filter air, they are beneficial for those suffering from respiratory allergies or other problems. They have been proven to lessen the smell of dust, odors and chemicals and can aid in relieving irritation to the eyes as well. The plant is also believed to reduce levels of benzene that are present in the home.
As with all houseplants, the rubber plant can be susceptible to a range of pests, especially spider mites. These tiny insects feed on the sap of the plant and can stick to its leaves. It's easy to get rid these unwanted guests. Simply wipe the leaves with a damp cloth lightly misted with insecticidal soap or neem.