Indoor Plants that Clean Pollutants out of the Air
Plants that purify your indoor air
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🧪 Scientific Evidence
Research by NASA and other organizations show that common house plants are powerful natural air cleaners. In laboratory studies, test plants removed as much as 87% of indoor air pollutants within 24 hours.
Plants absorb pollutants through their leaves, roots and the bacteria that live on them. They then convert these substances to food.
🌿 Health & Wellbeing Benefits
🌬️ Air Quality
- • Cleaning pollutants out of the air
- • Filtration of dust and dirt
- • Producing oxygen and adding humidity
🏠 Environment
- • Dampening sound levels
- • Cooling effect
- • Counteracting sick building syndrome
✨ Aesthetics
- • Enhancing beauty of homes and offices
😌 Mental Health
- • Increasing positive feelings
- • Reducing stress, anxiety, anger, and sadness
📏 Optimal Plant Distribution
Recommended Ratio:
Use one potted plant for every 100 square feet (or 2-3 plants per 10 square meters).
Plants don't all need to be near windows. Strike a balance between light and ventilation, avoiding drafty areas which can reduce air purification effectiveness.
⚠️ Indoor Pollutants & Plant Solutions
| Pollutant | Health Effects | Common Sources | Effective Plants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benzene | Carcinogen, skin/eye irritation, headaches, drowsiness | Inks, oils, paints, plastics, rubber, tobacco smoke, synthetic fibers | Dracaena Marginata, English Ivy, Janet Craig, Peace Lily, Chrysanthemum |
| Formaldehyde | Eye/nose/throat irritation, headaches, contact dermatitis | Room deodorizers, carpet backing, pressed wood, new furniture, cigarette smoke | Boston Fern, Aloe Vera, Rubber Plants, Spider Plant, Golden Pothos |
| Trichloroethylene | Potential liver damage | Dry cleaning, printing inks, paints, varnishes, adhesives | Peace Lily, Dracaena Janet Craig, Dracaena Warnecki, Chrysanthemum |
| Xylene | Brain effects, headaches, dizziness, breathing difficulties, memory issues | Paints, varnishes, printing/rubber industries, pens, art supplies | Areca Palm, Dwarf Date Palm, Bamboo Palm |
Note: If you're sensitive to pollen, avoid chrysanthemum and daisy arrangements as they are ragweed relatives.
🏆 Most Effective Air-Purifying Plants
Research shows these plants are most effective for counteracting off-gassed chemicals and contributing to balanced humidity:
Please Note: This is not a complete list, and there are no guarantees as to the accuracy of the information.
Information contained on this website is provided as general reference only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought.
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