Modern homes are now designed compact and lack proper ventilation resulting in the accumulation of air toxins coming from including plywood, particleboard, carpets, furniture, pesticides, paint thinners, air fresheners and other and cleaning products.
A study by NASA in the late 1980s shows that several plants are capable of filtering out harmful air toxins including formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene, and other volatile organic compounds. Here’s a list of the 10 Most Effective Houseplants for Removing Air Toxins.
Peace lily
Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) belongs to the family Araceae, comprising about 40 species of flowering plants in the family Araceae, indigenous to tropical areas of southeastern Asia and of the Americas. A popular indoor houseplant and an excellent air purifier as confirmed by NASA, the peace lily was selected as the “desk plant of the year 2007”!
A perfect plant to have in your office desk, this indoor plant can reduce or remove indoor pollution including, benzene, xylene, formaldehyde, acetone, other pollutants, as well as smoke from cigarettes and smell of gasoline. Peace Lily thrive in little sunlight and lives best in diffused light. Watering the plant twice a week is suggested.
CAUTION: Peace Lilies are slightly toxic to humans and animals. Digesting a few leaves can result to diarrhea and vomiting in children; can lead to a burning sensation in the mouth, tongue and throat. Ingesting great enough quantities, can result to death. It is best to hung these plants high enough from children and pets’ reach!
Spider plant
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a popular house plant having long arching leaves produces new shoots with insignificant white flowers. They are easy to care for, thriving under bright or shady light or even survive in less than perfect conditions Aside from being a very attractive hanging plant, Spider plants are excellent air purifier. Based on a study conducted by NASA, the plant has the ability to absorb air toxins including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene.
Gerber daisy
Having thousands of extant cultivars, the Gerber Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) is a popular indoor flowering plants or as cut flowers. A perennial flowering plant with gorgeous flowers, it thrives in bright or filtered light and a well drained soil. It is best to place them in your bedroom or laundry room – provided you give them suitable light. Gerberas help in filtering out trichloroethylene, and benzene.
English ivy
English ivy (Hedera helix) is a robust evergreen climbing plant that thrives in shade to full light and a well-drained soil. Also good as hanging plant, English Ivy helps in filtering airborne formaldehyde aerosols and other solid waste from the air.
CAUTION: The plant’s leaves and berries are poisonous to human and animals. Ingesting a large quantities can result to vomiting, convulsions, difficulty in breathing or in extreme cases coma.
Philodendrons
Philodendrons are about 900 species of large flowering plants belonging to the Araceae family. As houseplants, they prefer less light and a well drained soil. A climbing philodendron planted in pots of soil can gives added beauty to any outdoor living room and/or plain windowsills.
Two species of philadendron namely: the Elephant Ear Philodendron (Philodendron domesticum) and the Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron scandens `oxycardium’), are excellent in gobbling up formaldehyde.
CAUTION: Philadendrons leaves, stems, and juices which contain oxalates are poisonous to humans and pets. Ingestion of large quantity will result to reddening of the skin, and swelling of mouth, throat, lips, and tongue.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum (Pot Mum) comprising about 200 species of ornamental plants is native to Asia and some part of northeastern Europe. Aside from being a popular decorative flower and for its medicinal properties, Chrysanthemum is also an excellent in filtering out benzene (present in paint, glue, detergent and plastics.) These perennial flowering plants thrive on full sunshine and evenly moist soil.
Mother-in-law’s tongue
Mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata), also known as Snake plant, is a hardy green house plant that rarely needs watering. A low maintenance bathroom plant, it prefer low shades and moist conditions. Tagged by NASA as one of the best ornamental plants, Mother-in-law’s tongue is excellent for filtering out indoor air toxins including nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde – present in toilet papers, cleaning products and personal care products
CAUTION: The plant contains toxic sap – ingesting large quantity can result to agonizing loss of speech.
Azalea
This slow-growing flowering shrub which blooms in spring is native Asia, North America and Europe. When planted as indoor plants, azaleas (Rhododendron simsii) help in absorbing formaldehyde present in plywood or foam insulation. Since they thrive in semi-shade and in well-drained acidic soil, azaleas are perfect basement ornamental plants. Azaleas are also considered toxic plants
Cornstalk Dracaena
The Cornstalk Dracaena (Dracaena fragrans), is a slow growing shrub with long leaves and white or pink very fragrant flowers. Perfect for hallways and corners, this indoor plant requires low light and little watering. Another excellent indoor air-purifying plant, Cornstalk Dracaena absorbs benzene, toluene and xylene, and other air toxins associated with oils and varnishes.
CAUTION: The whole plant is toxic, ingestion of large quantity can result to diarrhea, difficulty breathing and weakness. It is best to place it away from children and pets.
Weeping fig
A weeping fig (Ficus benjamina), is a topiary tree native to southeast Asia and Australia. It is a slow-growing tree that prefers bright to partial sunlight and a well-drained soil. These trees are grown for outdoor and indoor decor. As indoor ornamental plants, weeping figs are good in absorbing air toxins present in furniture and carpets including benzene, xylene, formaldehyde, ammonia, and trichloroethylene.
CAUTION: the plant is considered potentially toxic to birds.
We have it in our house. Hehe
ReplyDeleteWow! I wish I have a place for all those plants..i only have 3 cactus and 3 orchids; )
ReplyDeletei have been meaning to buy one of those plants mentioned as a natural air purifier at home.
ReplyDeleteWow! glad to know this is a natural air purifier at home. I have to buy one any of those plants so I get a natural air purifier
ReplyDeleteThese plants are so helpful in purifying air in our house even outdoors. But the thing is, they also release them at night which is not a good option to sleep near them. :)
ReplyDeleteNatawa naman ako sa Mother -in-law's tounge hehehe, they call that plant, snake plant over here. I used to have spider plant kaya lang namatay.
ReplyDeleteI should check into getting some plants inside our house. Cool tips.
ReplyDeletewe have that cornstalk dracaena (now i know the name, because here, we call it "fortune plant^_^) it's a lovely plants which can be pretty indoor too. and so very fragrant flower.
ReplyDeleteplants are really amazing creations.
This is what we need as windows here are mostly close due to cold weather. I used to have fig but I think I over watered it. :)
ReplyDeleteI love all kinds of plants that can live indoor! Peace lily is my fave! :) I have water bamboo plants, orchid, and palm here at my home! And oh, my lemon grass, too! Haha!
ReplyDeleteonly familiar with Chrysanthemum. hehehehe!
ReplyDeletewow this is absolutely a very informative post. I would surely buy these kinds of plants in our house. I have asthma and I am sure I need this air removing toxins
ReplyDeleteI think I need that weeping fig and that spider plant here in our apartment. Now that it's Fall here and the heater is on, the air makes our throat dry and nasal congestion is but a common thing here. I hope I can have those two and if I do have, I also hope my little boys won't play with the leaves.
ReplyDeleteI love inddor plants! These are great choices but the problem would be the soil they are planted in...I prefer using water for indoor plants...Gerbera is my favorite on your list...
ReplyDeleteWow this just means that having indoor plants at home is still one of the best things to do at home. This is perfect and if I have a future house, I would love to fill my house with these great plants :)
ReplyDeleteHaving these plants definitely makes the air in the house much more synthesized and less toxic.
ReplyDeleteWe have lots of Azalea in our garden. Yun pala ang use nun. :))
ReplyDeleteThese plants two birds at one stone: remove toxins and beautify your homes. Sadly, I have not seen any of them up close in person.
ReplyDeletethese plants are great indoor decorations too! instead of buying chemical-based sprays, id rather have one of these:)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the info. Every home should have at least one of these especially homes in the urban areas.
ReplyDeleteI'll be choosing chrysanthemum since it's also available here in our country. Thanks for giving me ideas :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this! I've been looking for nice plants for indoor as I'm redecorating our house here. It's nice to have plants as decor and cleans the air at the same time :)
ReplyDeletei love the aroid and i must say i am a fan as i collect them before particularly the wild one... refreshing to see indoor plants inside your home too,
ReplyDeleteGood for us, we have SPIDER PLANT, PHILODENDRONS and CORNSTALK DRACAENA. My mom loves to have these plants in our house, no wonder.
ReplyDeleteThis is the reason why my husband makes sure we have plants inside our house. It does not only look good, it is also beneficial for our well-being.
ReplyDeletewe love plants! and we have 8 of these, so lots of benefits! =)
ReplyDeleteI will buy some of these for our new home. Mother-in-law-tounge got my full attention though haha. Nice plant name!
ReplyDeleteWhat fascinating information. We have allergy sufferers in our house, but I often thought that houseplants would worsen them. This has me rethinking,,,
ReplyDeleteThese could freshen up the household though I'm glad you added the caution part as it can be also toxic when ingested.
ReplyDeleteI have most of the plants you mentioned here. I didn't know how effective they are though in removing air toxins until i saw your post. Salamat!
ReplyDeleteThis is very helpful specially to those living in the urban areas. I must look for these plants soon!
ReplyDeleteMy mom is going to love this. She's a big fan of plants. And what could even be better than getting benefits from houseplants! This is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThe weeping fig would be nice to maintain. It doesn't occupy much space like the others.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting article and beautiful plant suggestions. Interesting how they are mostly toxic, ironically. Never knew that Sansevierra was called Mother-in-Law's tongue!
ReplyDeleteNever knew that Sansevirra was called Mother-in-Law's tongue. Very interesting name, esprcsilly because the plant is poisonous!!!
ReplyDeletemy mum has a spider plant and tricked me that it'll attract spiders -.-
ReplyDeleteWe have philodendrons but it is in the patio. Now I'm thinking of putting it inside the house.
ReplyDeleteThe room flowers absorb the oxidants in the air and take away all the negative influences there. That is why I always keep chrysanthemums in my room. A great list you have prepared, indeed!
ReplyDeleteI love the Gerber Daisy and the Chrysanthemum. They both look great ^^
ReplyDeleteI didn't do any gardening.. Sounds like it's good to have clean air with this plants.. Maybe I should consider start gardenning..
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post! I am absolutely useless with any sort of gardening - even house plants :( Sim x
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't have many toxins in my new apartment (that I know of), but those plants would be a beautiful addition! I should consider one of these to offer us a peace of mind.
ReplyDeleteThis was such an informative post. I have the spider plant at my place but had no idea that it could help get rid of air toxins. thanks a bunch!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful information. I love plants and have a number of the ones you listed in my home. I think plants add something more to our space.
ReplyDeleteAs a florist it is great to see a post like this to educate people. fab.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this. I've known some of the plants but some are new information to me so this is a great list. I will go pin this now :)
ReplyDeleteI would definitely want the chrysanthemum and azaleas in my home, aside from being pretty and ornamental, they do wonders to detoxify pala. :)
ReplyDeleteI have english ivy and mothers tongue plant. It actually grew in my garden, thought it was a grass or something
ReplyDelete