Plants to Purify Your Air

Did you know that the air within your home could be eerily similar to that of a space station? The connecting factor is this – the stagnant air, both in your home and the space station, can be a breeding ground for sickness. And seeing as how most people spend about 90% of their time inside, it’s easy to see how this could be a problem! Breathing contaminated air can not only irritate your nasal passages, but it can also cause headaches and sleeping problems.

Thankfully, that is where plants come into play! A NASA experiment from 1989 delved into the research behind putting plants indoors, and scientists discovered that certain plants can essentially clean the air – removing harmful components like formaldehyde. Breathing cleaner air doesn’t just help people sleep better, though…the sight of them has also been noted to lower blood pressure and decrease stress.

These plants clean the air in a couple of different ways – when they absorb carbon dioxide, they also absorb particles in the air. There are also organisms within the potting soil that also help to clean and purify the air at the same time. Don’t be turned away though, if you don’t have a green thumb – there are plenty of easy houseplants out on the market that require hardly any work, and are almost impossible to kill. Let’s check out a few of the NASA favorites that you can incorporate into your home!

Peace lily
A smaller air-cleaner, this flowering plant has buds on it that release a hint of floral scent into your home – while also purifying. Known to remove ammonia and formaldehyde from the air, these plants like shady places, so keep them moist and out of direct sun in order to see some beautiful flowers.

Bamboo palm
Growing as high as twelve feet, you’ll need some ceiling space for this air purifier! Doing their best work while in the sun, these stalks are pros at removing formaldehyde and are a perfect pet-friendly option to have in your home.

Spider plant
If you’re brand new to planting and keeping flowers in your home, this is an excellent houseplant to start with! An easy grower, spider plants remove xylene and formaldehyde and are loving life when they’re in indirect sunlight.

Aloe vera
Typically heard of as being used as a natural medical treatment for injuries like burns and other wounds, aloe is also a wonderful air purifier. Not only does it have anti-inflammatory properties, but it removes formaldehyde from the air inside your home as well ... a two for one deal!

Each plant will be different in regards to its care plan and how much water and light it will need, so be sure to check on the label or tag that comes with it to know the proper growing conditions. There are plenty of available pots and gardening supplies at your local lawn care store too, so if your new plant doesn’t come with a pot, you can easily transplant it from one spot to another. Get ready for the air in your home to get much cleaner!

Contributed by: Krista Harper  [email protected]