Beyond its aesthetic value, house plants are helpful for one thing: its air-purifying benefits. However, not all are equal in this aspect. So if you want to improve the indoor air quality of your home, you might as well choose house plants that produce the most oxygen. As you sleep at night, these plants are doing their part of purifying the air.
Aside from proper ventilation and using various devices, you can also add indoor plants to your defense against dirty air. So which indoor plants produce the most oxygen? The following are 8 of the best choices:
1. Peace Lily
Known for their white and elegant blooms, Peace Lily is more than just its beauty. It also helps filter volatile particles in the air like toluene, benzene, and xylene, which can come from off-gassing from various construction materials.
Another great thing about Peace Lily is they thrive in indirect sunlight. It only blooms once a year, but with good fertilizer, it can flower twice.
However, if you have a pet, you should steer clear of Peace Lily. It’s poisonous to furry pets, which may cause mouth-frothing and stomach upset. If you are to place Peace Lily inside your home, you must put it somewhere your pet can’t access.
2. Aloe vera
Who doesn’t know the classic Aloe vera indoor plant? Aside from its organic gel, this plant also filters out harmful particles in the air. Just make sure that you put it on a sunny window to thrive well.
As a succulent, Aloe vera’s air-filtering prowess isn’t a surprise. It belongs to the cacti family with fleshy leaves and tiny thorns.
To keep an Aloe vera growing inside your home, it’s best to let the soil dry before the next watering. As a type of cacti, this plant loves dry soil. Also, it will help to bring it outdoors so the plant can soak under direct sunlight.
3. Snake Plant
The Snake Plant is a staple to many offices and households. It has long, striped leaves that spring directly from the soil. Some people call this plant jokingly as ‘the mother-in-law’s tongue’.
Take note that you can find a wide range of species of Snake Plant in the market. They usually vary on height, which can be between 1 and 3 feet.
Snake Plant is very effective in removing formaldehyde in the air as well as producing oxygen. Take note that this plant has an underground rhizome. So if you don’t watch out, it can outgrow a small pot fast.
For those who are looking for beautiful blooms, Chrysanthemum is a good choice. Aside from its small flowers that will adorn your home, it will also produce oxygen to improve indoor air conditions.
The good thing with Chrysanthemums is they come in various bloom colors. But for it to grow well, you need to place it on a sunny spot. You can also bring it outdoors for a nice sunbathing.
Take note, too, that this plant doesn’t like cold temperatures. Just find the spot with the right balance of hot and cold. Anyway, even if your Chrysanthemums don’t bloom, the leaves will keep doing the oxygen production.
5. Areca Palm
Areca palms are another favorite among homeowners. It has lush green leaves that will add an accent to every room. It produces large amounts of oxygen and absorbs various pollutants that can be harmful to your health.
Most Areca Plants can be as tall as 7 feet, but you can keep it at a manageable height by planting it in a small pot. It’s also a hardy plant that can live for up to 10 years.
Take note that you should keep the Areca Palm away from direct sunlight. You should water it lavishly and apply some fertilizer to keep its lush growth.
6. Gerber Daisy
Another beautiful bloom that you can consider is the Gerber Daisy. Its flower is available in many striking colors to suit your preference. It also leaves deep green leaves that grow broad.
Aside from being an attractive plant, Gerber Daisy is also a champ in producing oxygen. But for it to grow well, the plant needs a good source of sunlight and moist soil. It’s challenging to grow indoors, but not impossible.
The consolation here is that the Gerber Daisy can bloom through winter.
7. Rubber Plant
Rubber plants are popular tabletop displays. Its leaves can grow big, but some are cultured to be smaller. It’s a low maintenance plant that absorbs toxins in the air while converting carbon dioxide into lots of oxygen.
If you are a busy person, the rubber plant is right for you. This can tolerate neglect and can survive in dry soil for a long period of time. Just take note that rubber plants can grow as tall as 8 feet, so you must prepare some space for it to grow.
Take note that rubber plants can tolerate underwatering better than overwatering. Always be careful about how soaked its soil gets.
8. Weeping Fig
The weeping fig is a plant with small yet dense leaves. They produce oxygen while cleaning the air of toxins. Take note that the growth of Weeping Fig will vary depending on the indoor conditions.
Usually, this plant loves full sunlight exposure and regular watering. It rarely flowers indoors, but you can chance upon several blooms if you feed it with fertilizer constantly. Also, it prefers cooler temperatures of around 65 to 70F as well as 75 to 85F during the day.
It’s called ‘weeping fig’ due to its droopy branches. If you keep this plant healthy, it will grow fast and will not require too much maintenance.
What is the best indoor plant to clean the air? These 8 plants are just some of the great options if you’re looking for indoor foliage. Each one produces oxygen and helps curb toxic substances that may harm your health. Still, for the plant to do this, it requires proper care and maintenance on your end.