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Purifying plants to cleanse the air in your home

Credits : Pixabay
Purifying plants to cleanse the air in your home
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Did you know that the air inside your home or office is more polluted than the air outside? The air indoors has been classified in certain countries as being in the top 5 public health risks. In fact, there are things in your home that release toxic chemical products, while exterior pollutants also enter your home, such as pollen, bacteria, mould, etc., which can become dangerous for your health. As well as airing the rooms in which you live and work for at least 10 minutes per day, grow these 9 simple indoor purifying plants to improve the air quality. 

1) Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a plant that has been used for over 6,000 years as for its cosmetic and medicinal properties. Like the other plants listed here, it helps eliminate formaldehyde, a toxic chemical present in the indoor air. You simple need to give it a little water when the soil becomes very dry, because it grows naturally in a dry Mediterranean climate.

2) Peace Lily

Also called spatiphyllum, the peace lily is a durable plant that produces beautiful flowers in Summer. However it is best known for its air purifying properties because it eliminates ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, xylene and trichlorethylene found in the indoor air.

3) Indoor chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums are used by NASA to purify the air in space shuttles. It promotes the decomposition of many pollutants present in the air indoors, including ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and trichlorethylene. It grows just as well indoors as outdoors and needs very little care. There are around twenty different varieties in an array of shapes and colours.

Chrysanthème d'intérieur
Credits : Suppenkasper / Pixabay

4) Ficus

Ficus is a typical indoor plant which grows rapidly and reaches between 60 cm and 3 meters in height, if the pot is changed regularly. In Spring and Summer, it can be placed outdoors. The Ficus eliminates benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from the indoor air.

5) Boston Fern

This plant likes cool areas with indirect light, for example in a bathroom. It is one of the best purifying plants for eliminating pollutants such as xylene and formaldehyde.

6) Bamboo palm

Bamboo palm is highly effective for filtering formaldehyde. Originating from hot countries, it needs plenty sun exposure. Bamboo palm can grow to 4 meters in height, bringing charm and conviviality to a living room. It eliminates benzene and formaldehyde, which we find in cigarettes, and trichloroethylene.

7) Spider plant

Spider plant is ideal for aspiring gardeners because it is very easy to grow. It grows well in medium to bright light. In Spring, its flowers transform into pretty spider plants that you can replant to grow more.

Plante araignée
Credits : Lucy Guillaume / Pixabay

8) Dracaena or dragon tree

There are more than 40 varieties of Dracaena, also called the dragon tree. This plant eliminates benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and xylene from the air, pollutants that can creep into your home from paint, cigarette smoke or other volatile organic compounds.

9) Sansevierias or Snake Plants

Also called “mother in law’s tongue“, sansevierias or snake plants need little water and thrive in dryer climates. Expose them to semi-direct sunlight. Like most of these listed plants, sansevierias also eliminate benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and xylene from the indoor air.

Sources : Santé Nutrition, EPA, Jardiner Malin