With asbestos, formaldehyde, and other VOCs leaching off every wall of our home, it’s no surprise that indoor pollution may be causing 50% of illnesses worldwide. If you experience headaches on a regular basis and the reason simply can’t be pinpointed, consider the pollution in your home as the cause. The good news is that you can cleanse the air within your home with air purifying plants – what better way to solve a problem than with nature.
In nature, plants naturally purify their environment. We can use the same principle in our human-made homes by bringing in select plants that remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. NASA gave this idea a shot in the late ‘80s when trying to clean the air in space facilities of three common pollutants: benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. The following plants proved to be some of the most effective:
5 Air Purifying Plants
- Chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium) – Not only is this one of the many air purifying plants that is effective at reducing benzene and formaldehyde, it will add a splash of color in your home with its vibrantly-hued flowers.
- Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) – This plant flowers beautifully in plenty of sunlight and removes benzene and trichloroethylene from its environment.
- Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii) – This statement plant looks great in corners (out of direct sunlight) while cleansing the air of formaldehyde.
- Red-Edge dracaena (Dracaena marginata) – This imposing plant (it can grow up to 15 feet!) pulls its weight by removing benzene and trichloroethylene from its surroundings.
- Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) – Don’t want to baby plants? Try this low-maintenance option that filters formaldehyde.
Children and pets should be considered before bringing plants—some of which may be poisonous—into the home. Remember, too, that toxins in your home aren’t just from the awful paint your landlord slapped on the walls. You can further reduce your exposure to indoor air pollution by:
- Leaving your shoes (and the layers of dust, chemicals, bacteria, and mold on the sole) at the door.
- Replace chemical cleaners with natural and/or homemade varieties.
- Check your chimney for buildup.
- Avoid commercial fragrances and air fresheners. Replace with natural and/or homemade varieties.
Along with the use of these air purifying plants and the above methods to reduce indoor air pollution, here are 4 more ways to naturally purity the air in your home here. Additionally, try your best to avoid these toxic home cleaning products to reduce air pollution within your home.