Aside from offering excellent aesthetics, houseplants remove toxins from the air. You can protect yourself from harmful toxins by putting up the best houseplants in your living area.
Typically, houseplants are air-purifying in nature. Subsequently, they can improve the air quality in your home.
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The best plants for cleaning the air
Here we go;
- Dwarf Date Palm
The dwarf date palm also purifies the air by getting rid of formaldehyde and xylene. This plant species originates from the palm family; hence it has a long lifespan. Also, it is easy to grow the dwarf date palm.
The plant makes a valuable addition to your home as it can grow to 10 feet. You can grow it in a gardening plant kit, planting pot or containers.
- Boston Fern
This plant is simple to grow and makes an ideal addition to your home when place in a hanging basket. Like most fern species, the Boston fern grows well in humid environments and needs constant watering.
So, keep spraying the plant with water and place them under indirect sunlight to boost their growth. The Boston fern is also one of the best houseplants for cleaning the air. The plant is responsible for getting rid of formaldehyde and xylene.
- Peace Lily
One of the easiest plants to grow and maintain is the peace lily. Although considered poisonous, the peace lily purifies the air from carbon monoxide, xylene, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Thus, this plant can protect you from serious respiratory illnesses caused by carbon monoxide.
We all know that inhaling large doses of carbon monoxide leads to death. If there’s a Peace lily in your home, it can save you from inhaling large amounts of carbon monoxide.
Moreover, the Peace lily is beautiful due to its green leaves. Keep the plant in perfect condition by feeding it with fertilizer during spring to promote flowering.
- Devil’s Ivy or Golden Pothos
The devil’s ivy plant is famous for eliminating various toxins like benzene, trichloroethylene, and xylene. As a result, it keeps you safe from these toxins. Not to mention that golden pothos is an excellent addition to your property.
The plant requires constant watering and can grow in a planter, gardening kit, containers or hanging garden baskets. This plant also has a longer lifespan and survives when neglected for long periods. The golden pothos is also simple to propagate, grow and maintain.
- Spider Plant
The spider plant is well-known for eliminating the toxins formaldehyde and xylene. The plant requires simple maintenance since it requires indirect sunlight and minimal watering.
Consider placing this plant next to a window that receives light. Spider plants are highly adaptable and can survive in extremely low temperatures of 2 degrees Celsius.
- Philodendron
Another indoor plant that helps you purify the air is the Philodendron. This plant is simple to grow and maintain. Besides, it transforms your indoor space into a tranquil haven. Taking care of the plant requires you to keep watering it and place it under bright indirect sunlight.
Philodendron is a perfect plant to place inside your house if you wish to purify the air. One of the toxins removed by this plant includes formaldehyde.
- Chrysanthemums
These plants boost the aesthetics of your indoor living area and purify the air from toxins. Nevertheless, chrysanthemums are very hard to grow.
But once they grow, they produce beautiful flowers that provide a breathtaking environment. The result is always worth the struggle. These plants thrive in areas with proper aeration and bright, indirect sunlight.
When watering these plants, avoid using cold water. Instead, use warm water. Otherwise, you would hinder the growth of the plant. The Chrysanthemums get rid of ammonia, xylene, formaldehyde, and benzene.
- Areca palms
This houseplant is a great air purifier. It helps you get rid of benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene. However, this plant requires constant watering to thrive, especially during warmer months.
- Rubber plants
Not only do rubber plants boost the aesthetics of your indoor space, but they also protect you from harmful toxins like xylene, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.
The rubber plant is a hardy plant originating from India that grows well under bright indirect light. These plants can go without water for a month.
Therefore, they are a perfect addition for anyone with a busy schedule. You can always grow rubber plants in a planting pot or plastic container.
- Pineapple Plant
Did you know that pineapple plants can prevent snoring?
Pineapple plants don’t get rid of toxins. However, they produce oxygen; hence, they can help you breathe properly at night.
However, pineapple plants require constant watering and cannot survive in cold conditions.
Do indoor plants really clean the air?
Plants are beneficial to the environment. The primary principles of science taught us that plants are living organisms.
Like human beings, they have tiny pores to facilitate breathing. During photosynthesis, plants release oxygen as a byproduct of carbon dioxide, the air we exhale. Plants are also known to eliminate a wide range of toxins in the air.
Previous studies show that indoor herbs can get rid of cancer-causing toxins like benzene and formaldehyde. On the other hand, some plants get rid of carbon monoxide, xylene, and trichloroethylene.
According to the famous NASA experiment in 1989, plants are generally air purifiers. But plants with larger leaves are better purifiers. The greater the surface area of the leaf, the greater its purifying properties.
Another study in 2009 confirmed the results of the 1989 NASA study. But it concluded that plants behave differently when placed outside. They are less likely to have air-purifying properties when placed outside.
Ultimately, it is safe to conclude that houseplants can clean the air by removing certain toxins from the air.
What is the easiest houseplant to grow?
Are you looking for a houseplant to grow?
Indoor plants indisputably offer a wide range of benefits. They not only make your living area more luxurious, but also help you purify the air. However, it is essential to select the right plant type to grow. It would be best to start with some of the easiest houseplants to grow.
This way, you’ll be able to manage the houseplant and keep it in good shape.
- Monstera
The monstera is an indoor plant that is highly adaptable. Although it can survive in shady areas for long periods, it grows well under indirect light.
The plant can also withstand severe drought periods. Not to mention, its stunning, green leaves make it a beautiful addition to your living area.
You can tell when the monstera plant needs water; the leaves usually become crispy. When this happens, you can restore the plant by watering it frequently.
- Sansevieria
The sansevieria plant is a hardy plant that survives in dry conditions for long periods. They are simple to grow and maintain. All you need to do is place them under indirect light.
The plant is rarely affected by temperature changes and has excellent air cleaning properties. However, avoid overwatering these plants. Always check whether the soil is moist before watering them again.
- ZZ plant
You can never kill a ZZ plant. This plant grows well when neglected and does not require constant watering.
Therefore, you can place it by the window and leave it for as long as you like. Once you notice yellowing, it could mean that you are overwatering the plant.
- Spider plant
The spider plant is also one of the easiest houseplants to grow. They thrive in areas with bright, indirect sunlight. Even so, they can survive for long periods in shady spots.
Be careful not to overwater your spider plant. When your spider plant begins drooping, it means that it is not getting enough water. On the flip side, overwatering the plant could lead to yellow or soft brown leaves.
- Philodendron heartleaf
The philodendron leaf is also simple to grow. Once you plant it, please place it in an area that receives bright, indirect sunlight. However, note that this plant needs frequent watering.
But it bounces back quickly even when you forget to water it once in a while. Yellow leaves in the Philodendron are a sign of overwatering.
- Hedgehog aloe
The hedgehog aloe is one of the simplest plants to maintain. This plant has similar properties to the aloe vera plant.
All you need to do is place it outside in the sun to promote growth. The plant requires less watering and makes a perfect addition to your indoor space.
Overwatering this plant makes the leaves turn yellow. Conversely, wilting means the plant is dehydrated.
- Dracaena giganta
This indoor plant survives in areas with low light and requires less water to grow. The plant can therefore survive in dry conditions. However, the dracaena giganta needs humidity to grow.
Homeowners with tight schedules or who travel a lot should consider getting this plant. Once you notice the leaves are turning brown, your area’s humidity is low. This can be resolved by misting your houseplants.
Light up your house with indoor plant
Houseplants are one of the best additions to your outdoor space. These plants enliven your indoor space and help you get rid of toxins in the air.
Some of the best plants that help you clean the air include Devil’s Ivy, spider plant, Peace lily and the dwarf date plant. Luckily, most indoor plants are easy to grow and maintain.