GO NATURAL: Indoor plants that clean your air

I’ve recently put a bunch of plants around my house. During the first few months post-fibro diagnosis, most of mine died. Being the natural researcher I am, I looked up what plants would be best for my condition. NASA seemed like a reliable source, so I checked out this article. Obviously you’ll notice below there’s information on more than 10 houseplants but it seemed silly to insert more than one graphic. Not all of these are NASA-approved, but they are proven to improve indoor air quality.

Heart Leaf Philodendron

The Heart Leaf Philodendron is a climbing vine that is often best for homes without small pets or children. If eaten, the plant is toxic. However, it is an excellent choice for removing formaldehyde like what is commonly found in particle board. They are relatively easy to care for but again, should be kept high enough that pets and small children cannot access them.

Eucalyptus

The Eucalyptus plant has been used for centuries for all types of ailments. It can be a bit difficult to find in houseplant form but if you can find one, definitely consider adding it to your home. The leaves of the Eucalyptus plant are filled with tannins which can raise healthy fluids in the body’s air passages. Just breathing in the scent of these plants can help to lower congestion problems and ward off colds.

African Violets

African Violets are purple in color which is a health benefit in itself. Gazing at the plant can help to stimulate adrenaline release and can increase the flow of oxygen to the brain which can help you to relax. The plants are small and easy to care for, although they do prefer indirect sunlight. They grow very well in artificial light so they are perfect for those who do not have access to direct sunlight.

Chinese Evergreen

The Chinese Evergreen is very easy to care for and can help to rid your home of a number of air pollutants. It produces tiny red berries that are lovely to look at and can help to remove toxins from the air that are commonly found in chemical based household cleaners. The longer you have the plant, the more toxins it will remove so plan on keeping your Chinese Evergreen for many years for optimal benefits.

Aloe Vera

Many people have Aloe Vera in their homes because of its healing ability. The gel inside the leaves is excellent for helping to heal burns and cuts. Aloe Vera however, is also a great plant to improve your indoor air quality. It is easy to grow (and hard to kill for those of you who do not possess a green thumb) and it helps to keep your home free from benzene which is commonly found in paint and certain chemical cleaners.

Aloe vera is widely known for its healing property, but it is also considered the most effective plant in terms of filtering out hazardous chemicals and toxins in the air. It lets out oxygen during nighttime, something which is not typical for plants, hence leaving you with a fresher and cleaner air for a more restful sleep. It also produces volatile which provides a positive effect on your immune system. By having an aloe vera inside your bedroom, you can expect a good night sleep.

Peace Lily

The Peace Lily is a beautiful plant and one that can improve your indoor air quality by as much as 60 percent. It helps to reduce the levels of mold spores that grow in the home by absorbing those spores through its leaves and them circulating them to the plant’s roots where they are used as food. In bathrooms, the Peace Lily can help to keep shower tiles and curtains free from mildew and the plant can absorb harmful vapors from alcohol and acetone. The peace lily plant has an ability to filter harmful toxins from the air. Apart from it looking exceptional, it also helps in getting rid of any impurities and airborne microbes that could disturb your sleep.

Spider Plant

The spider plant is a commonly found houseplant and is one that is really easy to grow. Within just two days, this plant can remove up to 90 percent of the formaldehyde in your indoor air. The leaves grow quickly and help to absorb harmful substances like mold and other allergens so it is the perfect plant for those who have common dust allergies. Other than formaldehyde, they are also capable of filtering benzene, xylene, and carbon monoxide.

English Ivy

The English Ivy plant is perfect for those who have pets in the home as it can reduce the amount of airborne fecal matter. It can also absorb formaldehyde which is commonly found in some household cleaning products and furniture or carpeting treatments. Studies show that keeping an English Ivy plant on your desk will help to give you better focus because it can also absorb trace amounts of benzene which is a chemical commonly found in office equipment.

The English ivy plant is a leader when it comes to purifying air, it is also a very hardy plant and thrive in shade. All this makes it an excellent choice for bedrooms. Also, it is discovered to help those who suffer from allergy by purifying the air in its surroundings. With the air effectively purified, you are guaranteed to have a more restful sleep.

Boston Fern

Ferns are very popular houseplants and the Boston Fern is one that offers beauty and healthy benefits. These plants act as humidifiers and can help to restore moisture in the air so they are perfect for those who suffer from dry skin and other cold weather problems. They can also help to eliminate traces of formaldehyde and they look beautiful hanging from baskets all around the home. Remember to keep your Boston Fern in direct sunlight and mist the leaves with water regularly.

Rubber Tree

This great low-maintenance plant thrives in dimmer light, and has a nice dark green leaf. Besides the ornamental aspect, rubber tree is considered as an air purifying plant. It’s proved that growing rubber tree indoors is beneficial as it cleanses the formaldehyde.

Diffenbachia

This plant is noteworthy for its very long leaves and tropical looking appearance. Diffenbachia can grow very large, even up to 5-6 feet high, making it a great addition to  any room décor.  This plant is poisonous if eaten so please keep away from children and pets.

Pathos, including golden

Everyone should take particular notice of this houseplant as it not only removes toxins found in the air we are breathing, but can also pull out toxins such as formaldehyde from soft materials in the home such as couches and carpets. As most houseplants do well in pots, Golden Pathos stands apart as a beautiful hanging plant with leaves and stems that grow down in vines.  Just keep in mind that this houseplants enjoys cooler temperatures and low levels of sun.

Snake Plant

This is a great houseplant that requires very little maintenance and low levels of water to thrive. According to NASA, the snake plant is among the 10 best houseplants that help filter the air. It absorbs carbon dioxide while at the same time releases oxygen during nighttime, hence allowing you to achieve deep sleep. Through this process, you can expect a naturally clean and fresh air inside your bedroom.

Jade Plant

This plant has a beautiful look of a succulent plant and is very easy to care for.  It is a very slow growing plant that can live with proper care for many years.  It does thrive in bright sunny areas.

Red-edged Dracena

If you are looking for a little bit of color in your houseplant, then Red-edged Dracena is just what you want!  It is important to keep in mind that this plant can commonly grow up to 15 feet tall so make sure to provide plenty of open space to grow into.

Jasmine

The jasmine plant features lovely little white flowers and a warm intense scent known to induce relaxing qualities ever since the ancient times. Studies have found that Jasmine has sedative properties and can significantly reduce anxiety levels, thus giving a positive impact on sleep quality.

Gardenia

Like the jasmine, gardenia features big white flowers and an intoxicating fragrance that is incomparable– not to mention it also comes with a sedative effect. A study conducted in 2010 has shown that the sweet smell of gardenia flowers has the same effectiveness as that of valium in relaxing the body and brain. So instead of relying on sleeping pills, keeping a gardenia in your bedroom or outside your bedroom window could help you sleep more effectively.

Bamboo Palm

The bamboo palm is great for removing trichloroethylene and benzene, two chemicals which are known to induce respiratory problems, thus a great air purifying plant. With the plant’s excellent filtering property, you can expect a restful sleep when keeping it in your bedroom. It has been awarded a high purifying score of 8.4 in a study conducted by NASA.

Tips to consider when introducing plants in your room

• Check if they are toxic to the kids and pets inside of your house.
• Wipe the leaves once a week to make sure the plants can perform their best.
• Mix your plants with the ones that purify air and the ones that induce deep sleep through their scents.
• NASA recommends keeping between 15 to 18 air purifying plants in an 1800 sq. ft house, with only a few of them in each bedroom.