7 Plants That Can Actually Purify Your Indoor Air
These household plants are all NASA scientist-approved for
helping clear airborne toxins.
There are a wide variety of toxic chemicals lurking in your
home, and while you can take steps to minimize them, one the most prevalent
chemicals in your home isn't easy to get rid of. Formaldehyde, a volatile
organic compound that's emitted in low levels by a variety of household
building products and furniture, may cause cancer in humans and has been known
to trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions when present in high levels.
A common
component of glues that hold pressed-wood or particleboard furniture and
cabinets together, it's also emitted by natural gas stoves, carpet glues,
flooring glues, caulks, sealants, paints, furniture finishes, and the water-
and stain-repellent finishes applied to upholstery and clothing.
Although
government regulations have reduced the amount of formaldehyde used in
insulation and particleboard furniture, the sheer number of potential
formaldehyde emitters found in the average home makes the chemical difficult to
avoid.
The good
news: you have a cheap, easy, green tool at your disposal to help get rid of
it.
(Brag your
love of gardening with the Organic Life 2018 Wall Calendar, featuring gorgeous photographs,
cooking tips and recipes, plus how to eat more—and waste less—of what's in
season.)
Add these
seven household plants that NASA scientists have discovered help remove
formaldehyde and purify air to your home for a safer, cleaner atmosphere.
Boston Fern
Boston
Ferns remove more formaldehyde than any other plant. They're also highly
efficient at removing other indoor air pollutants, such as benzene and
xylene—components of gasoline exhaust that can migrate indoors if you have an
attached garage. The downside to these plants is that they can be finicky. You
need to feed them weekly in seasons when they're growing, monthly during the
winter, and they like to be watered regularly. Depending on the humidity and
moisture levels in your home, you may need to water them or mist their leaves
daily.
2
Palm Trees
Palm trees seem
particularly good at removing indoor air pollutants, specifically formaldehyde,
and they're relatively easy to care for. The best at formaldehyde removal is
the Dwarf Date Palm, which is closest in appearance to the palm trees that
remind you of warmer climates, but you'll also get clean air with a Bamboo
Palm, Areca Palm, Lady Palm, or Parlor Palm. Palm trees like cooler
temperatures, preferably in the 60 to 75°F range.
Here are 5 houseplants
that can thrive, even in dark rooms!
Rubber Plants
and Janet Craigs
If
you've got a dim office that's just screaming for cleaner air and a little
touch of nature, try a rubber plant or Janet Craig. Both will tolerate very
little sun—although they may grow more slowly—and are at the top of the list
for formaldehyde removers, which is particularly important in offices where
most furniture is made from particleboard held together by formaldehyde-based
glues. Janet Craigs will tolerate more abuse and neglect than rubber trees, but
rubber trees are a little more aesthetically pleasing.
English Ivy
Grown
outdoors, English Ivy is an invasive species that can damage your home's
exterior and tear off your gutters, but bring it inside, and it becomes an
effective formaldehyde remover. Thanks to its ability to climb structures, it's
easy to grow as topiary and use as a decorative element in your living spaces.
English Ivy likes part sun and part shade, so it's a good plant to try indoors
and isn't as temperamental as Boston Ferns. Occasional watering and misting
during the winter will keep it healthy.
Peace Lily
One
of the few houseplants that will bloom indoors, the Peace Lily with its
seashell-shaped spathes really will bring a touch of summer into a dreary
winter. One of the best plants for removing formaldehyde, it also removes
benzene and certain VOCs that are emitted by harsh cleaning products—making it
another good office plant if your maintenance staff doesn't use green cleaners.
It also prefers low-light conditions and has a high transpiration rate that
will humidify your air. Just be aware that the leaves can be poisonous to pets
and children.
6
Golden Pothos
Though not high on the
list of formaldehyde removers, this plant is a tough one to kill. It tolerates
a lot of neglect, is forgiving when over-watered, is relatively effective at
removing many air pollutants, and it a great starter houseplant for people
without much indoor-gardening experience. Golden Pothos are often mistakenly
sold as philodendrons, which are related plants that are equally good at
removing formaldehyde and are almost as forgiving to newbiw houseplant tenders.
7
Flowering Air Purifiers
Florists' Mum and
Gerbera Daisies are the best at removing formaldehyde, with tulips not far
behind. However, nothing worth having comes easy as these flowering plants
require more careful watering and feeing and prefer cool temperatures below
65°. If you're a really dedicated gardener, you can try rooting a new azalea
plant in a container garden outside this season and move it
indoors in the autumn, because azaleas can be bred to flower all winter, are
great at removing formaldehyde, and don't have to be tossed out when their
flowers fall off.
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