House Plants that Purify Your Air
Looking for a natural, beautiful way to improve the air quality in your new home? Believe it or not, there are a number of common houseplants that not only provide lush, lovely green treats for the eye, they also make your air cleaner, healthier and sweeter to breathe.
All plants use the process of photosynthesis to release oxygen into the air, but some have their own unique air-filtering systems that can improve the quality of the air we breathe. According to a 1989 NASA study, certain varieties can even remove carcinogenic chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde from the air. It’s also widely believed that green, growing things can reduce stress and lift your spirits. Who are we to disagree?
Whether you’ve just moved into your new Ernest home or you’re refreshing the one you already love, here are some favorite air-purifying plants to consider.
Best Air-Purifying Houseplants for Your Home
Boston Fern
According to a 2010 study by the American Society of Horticultural Science, Boston ferns removed more airborne formaldehyde from the atmosphere than any other plant tested. These popular ferns require a bit of care; they need regular feeding and, in homes with lower humidity, a light misting every couple of days. In return, they give you lush fronds and fresher air.
Palms
Bamboo palms and lady palms also earn high scores for air purification, helping remove formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, xylene, ammonia and chloroform from the air. Even though they’re considered warm-weather plants, indoor palms actually prefer slightly cooler temperatures between 60° and 75°F – perfect for life inside your Ernest home.
Rubber Plants and Janet Craigs
If you have dimmer, darker rooms that don’t get much natural sunlight, rubber plants and Janet Craig dracaenas are an excellent fit. They grow more slowly in lower light, but their deep green leaves help eliminate carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene beautifully.
English Ivy
This classic crawling and climbing plant thrives both indoors and outdoors. Inside, it can trail from hanging planters or climb an indoor trellis. Less finicky than Boston ferns, English ivy enjoys a mix of sun and shade and moderate watering, while helping reduce benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.
Peace Lily
If you don’t have pets or small children, peace lilies are a stunning option. This exotic, indoor blooming plant is easy to care for and loves low light, making it an excellent choice for shaded rooms. Peace lilies have a high transpiration rate that humidifies the air quickly and can help reduce exposure to formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene and ammonia. (Because the leaves are toxic if ingested, keep them away from curious kids and pets.)
Florist’s Mums and Gerbera Daisies
Love a cooler home? Florist’s mums and gerbera daisies prefer temperatures around 65°F and reward regular watering and feeding with cheerful blooms. They’re among the best plants for helping remove formaldehyde from your air while adding bright pops of color to your décor.
Golden Pothos
If you don’t have the greenest thumb, start with golden pothos. Tough, hardy and almost impossible to kill, this trailing plant can handle everything from over-watering to occasional neglect. It’s an ideal “starter” plant for novice gardeners and helps reduce levels of formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, benzene and carbon monoxide.
Spider Plants
One of the most common houseplants in America, spider plants are spiky, fun and easy to grow. A little water two or three times a week is usually all they need. In return, they send out baby “spiderettes” and can help reduce formaldehyde and xylene levels in your home.
Snake Plants
Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, snake plants have stiff, upright leaves and an unusual talent – they convert carbon dioxide to oxygen at night rather than during the day. That makes them ideal bedside plants, giving you a small boost of oxygen while you sleep. They also help cleanse the air of formaldehyde and benzene.
Red-Edged Dracaena
This slow-growing plant with distinctive reddish-purple leaf edges can eventually reach up to 15 feet tall, so it’s perfect for a high-ceilinged room or two-story foyer. Red-edged dracaena is especially good at removing xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde and prefers a space with moderate, indirect sunlight. Smaller dracaena varieties are available if you’d like the look in a more compact size.
Creating a Healthier Home with Plants
Choosing a few of these air-purifying plants is a simple way to make your home feel fresher and more welcoming every day. Start with one or two easy-care choices, see what thrives in your light and humidity levels, and then add more greenery over time.
If you’re dreaming of a brand-new, energy-efficient home to fill with plants, explore our available homes and communities. And if you have questions about building or buying with Ernest Homes, we’re always happy to help on our Contact Us page.
