17 indoor plants that clean the air from toxins
'01.06.2019'
Source: Delfi Decor
The best indoor plants are plants that perform a dual function: planting your home and purifying the air from toxic chemicals. And even better if they are easy to grow.
Our homes may contain more air pollutants in 3-5 than in open spaces. You can live in a “sick” house and not be aware of this: substances such as xylene (paints and varnishes), benzene (furniture wax, insect sprays), trichlorethylene (cleaning products, glues) and formaldehyde (furniture upholstery, air fresheners) , can cause headache and sore throat or allergic breathing problems, writes Delfi Decor with reference to Readerʼs Digest.
The goal of the NASA study “Clean Air” was to find effective and simple ways to detoxify the air on a space station, and it showed that ordinary plants deal with it.
Epipremnum (Devil's Ivy)
Devil's ivy is actually quite angelic plant. It is considered one of the most effective air purifiers for benzene, formaldehyde and xylene. In addition, if you are new to growing indoor plants, this is a great first plant. Epipremnum is lush, hardy and inexpensive. Another nice feature of it is that it can grow up to 2,5 meters in length and in different directions. In the hanging basket this liana will drag down. You can teach her to climb the trellis.
Anthurium (Flamingo Flower)
This evergreen beautiful plant and air filter is famous for its brilliant red flowers in the shape of a heart. According to NASA, anthurium absorbs formaldehyde, ammonia, toluene and xylene. But note: this plant is toxic, so avoid it if you have pets or small children.
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Chlorophytum
Chlorophytum removes impurities such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide from the air. A NASA study found that 24 per cent of formaldehyde was removed from the sealed plexiglass chamber by the 95 hour of chloroform. Moreover, the main plant produces spiders, which bloom and eventually grow into new chlorophyta, which you can transplant.
Liriope
This popular perennial curb plant blooms with blue or white flowers. Although it is usually grown outdoors, lyriope is very good as a plant on the windowsill, because it helps remove trichlorethylene (in printer ink and dry cleaning chemicals) from the air, xylene (permanent markers, print cartridges) and ammonia (aerosols).
Gerbera
These fun colored daisies used to be grown in the open air, until the florists began to use them in their compositions. Indoors, gerberas can bloom at any time of the year, their flowers are white, red, orange, pink and purple. Flowering usually lasts from four to six weeks. Gerberas have lush dark green leaves that effectively filter out formaldehyde, benzene and trichlorethylene. She will be happy with full sunlight, plenty of water and well-drained soil.
Dwarf Date Palm
It is hardy and drought tolerant, but grows slowly. When this palm tree reaches maturity, it will live with you for decades and its growth will reach 2-3 meters. Dwarf date palm is known for its ability to filter xylene. For optimal air filtration, NASA recommends placing at least one plant on 30 square meters. m home or office.
Boston fern
Boston ferns are from tropical forests and swamps, so they will thrive in low light and high humidity - that is, they are perfect for your bathroom. Moisture from the shower will moisturize the plant, requiring a little extra care from you. In addition to decorating your bathroom in Boston fern, it helps remove xylene and, as shown by a NASA study, it is the best homemade plant for formaldehyde removal.
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Nephrolepis Kimberly Queen
Another fern included in the NASA list: unlike the Boston fern, which grows in all directions, nephrolepis grows vertically, which gives it a neater appearance. This native of Australia can get more heat and sun than his cousin from Boston, but you should water it regularly. Since nephrolepis can grow indoors and outdoors, this fern can be placed in the immediate vicinity of the garage, because the vehicle exhaust gases contain xylene.
Aglaonema Chinese
A strong, easy-care plant, perfect for your desktop or coffee table in the living room. Aglaonema Chinese motley oblong leaves. She feels well with weak and medium light and grows slowly, reaching a mature age of ten years. This evergreen plant absorbs formaldehyde and benzene. But be careful if you have home or small children who are all trying to taste: Aglaonema is Chinese poisonous.
Bamboo palm tree
In addition to absorbing harmful elements such as benzene and formaldehyde, this plant boasts elegance and height. Bamboo palm trees also help maintain good indoor humidity, which makes them a desirable plant during the dry winter months. This palm tree loves bright, but not direct sunlight and needs regular spraying, but its roots are afraid of overflow; when it grows out of its container (a young plant is once a year, mature once every two or three years), it should be transplanted into a container more spaciously.
Ficus Benjamin
According to NASA's “Clean Air” research, Ficus benjamin is very effective at purifying air from formaldehyde, xylene and toluene. Xylene and toluene accumulate in the rooms due to the use of carpet cleaners and furniture and stain removers, so you can place a couple of such figs in each room. Keep them away from direct sunlight and they will live for decades.
Palm tree
You, probably, saw such plants in shopping centers, offices and hotel halls, because they tolerate a low level of illumination. Its maximum height is about two meters, and it is ideal for those parts of your home where there is little sunshine. The palm tree needs regular watering and moist soil, and in return it will clean your air of formaldehyde, ammonia, xylene and toluene.
Dracaena
The Dracaena houseplant is sometimes mistakenly called a palm tree for its appearance, but in reality its relative is the Draconian Tree. Dracaena helps rid your home of toxic substances such as formaldehyde, trichlorethylene and benzene. The plant is unpretentious - it can withstand poor lighting and survive, if you sometimes miss watering.
English ivy
If you work in a beauty salon or dye your hair at home, do a perm or straighten hair, often use nail polish or hardener nail polish, then consider the possibility of placing English ivy in a room. It filters out four toxic substances: trichlorethylene, formaldehyde, benzene and xylene, which are contained in the above products. It is a hardy plant that can survive poor lighting with occasional watering. In addition, it looks great in the hanging basket.
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Sansevieria ("pike tail")
Since this plant needs moisture, it is ideal for your bathroom, where it will filter out the formaldehyde contained in cleaning products, toilet paper, hair care products and dyes. If you do not forget to spray it, sansevieria can stand in your bedroom, because at night it gives off oxygen.
Spathiphyllum
A beautiful Spathiphyllum has a hidden talent - an excellent air filtration system. It has a high rate of transpiration (the movement of water through the plant and its evaporation through the leaves and stems). Another advantage: Spathiphyllum absorbs mold spores. This plant likes morning, not daylight. Spray the leaves and keep the soil moist.
Chrysanthemum
Although technically it is not a houseplant, these colorful flowers can usually be bought in pots in the fall and grown at home. Chrysanthemum lowers the level of all air pollutants that NASA has studied. Place it where it can receive not too hot, but bright sunshine. Water the chrysanthemum often and trim the flowers that have faded to make the plant look healthy. You can enjoy its flowering for six to eight weeks.
