The Best Air Purifying Plants for Your Home!
The EPA states that indoor air is frequently 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air; while during the winter, people spend an average of 90% of their time indoors. According to Almanac, indoor pollutants come in two major varieties:
Particulates such as dust, mold spores, and pollen.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are gases that are released from paints, fabrics, wallpaper, carpeting, plastics, and solvents commonly found in most homes. Household chemicals such as bleach, ammonia, detergents, furniture polish, and carpet cleaners.
NASA discovered that certain houseplants are able to absorb harmful toxins from the air, especially in enclosed spaces with little air flow. While indoor plants have less power than air purifiers, they are more natural, cost effective, and also therapeutic!
How Do House Plants Purify The Air?
Plants use photosynthesis to clean and filter the air that surrounds them. While we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, plants do the opposite - taking in the carbon dioxide we produce while exhaling oxygen. Research indicates that certain plants are also able to absorb airborne toxins, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, formaldehyde, and ammonia.
Air Purifying Plants:
Pet Safe
Spider plant - This plant is highly adaptable, being able to thrive in most indoor environments including moderate or indirect sunlight. This plant is good at absorbing formaldehyde and xylene. Spider plants also remove carbon monoxide which you may find in rooms with fireplaces or has stoves.
Bamboo Palm - This tropical palm is especially good at filtering formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and chloroform. The bamboo palm can grow as high as 12 feet alllowing them to purify the air on a larger scale. They do require a decent amount of sunlight in order to thrive.
Not Pet Safe
Snake Plant - Best at absorbing formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and trichloroethylene. These plants are very easy to care for, and can grow up to 12 feet high. The Snake plant release oxygen at night, so it is a great plant to have in your bedroom.
Peace lily - These are best for pet-free homes with little to no sunlight. Thriving in humid conditions, this plant is best for bathrooms and laundry rooms - where it is able to filter VOCs from cosmetics like home cleaners and fabric softeners. Known to purify the air of alcohols, acetone, trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde.
Aloe Vera - This succulent plant is low maintenance, needing very little care. These fast-growing plants are best at absorbing fomeldahyde and benzene. An added benefit of aloe Vera is being able to break off a leaf and use the gel to relieve pain from scrapes and sunburns.
Philodendrons - Best at reducing formaldehyde from the air. They can take full sun to shade if watered regularly. Heart-leaf, Philodendron selloum, and elephant ear philodendrons are the best air cleaners.
Having pets in your home does affect which air purifying plants will be safe for your home, as some of the best air purifying plants can be very toxic to animals. You can also look up which plants are toxic to animals on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants page.
According to Air Health, when using plants to reduce the invisible toxins in your home, it is reccommended that you have at lease two decently-sized air purifying plants per 100 square feet. The larger the plant, the more toxins it will absorb and oxygen it will produce. Plants that are able to survive in low light conditions are especially valuable for indoor air purification. You’ll benefit the most when you include a variety of plants in a room.
We are not plant experts, indoor air pollutant experts, or pet-safe plant experts. This information is purely for educational purposes. If you have any questions, you should reach out to a professional.*