Clean-Air Plants For Your Home. Would you be surprised if I told you that the air in your home was more polluted than your outdoor air? Unfortunately, it is true. According to the EPA, indoor air contains 2 to 5 times more contaminants (1). As stated by Web MD, indoor air pollution is one of the most serious environmental threats to your health, yet no agency can regulate it, and few studies have been done about its effects on your health (2).
Why is our air so toxic? Every single piece of furniture, carpet, shower curtain, in your home is outgassing. Outgassing is releasing chemicals into the air; potentially hazardous VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) The synthetic wood, glue, fabric, vinyl, and cushioning are, in effect, evaporating various gases into the air we breathe. Common VOCs found in homes include aldehydes, alcohols, plasticizers, aromatics, alkanes, toxic fire retardants and formaldehyde (3).
You can reduce some of the outgassing by using zero VOC paint (keep in mind adding the color pigment is a VOC), and stick to real wood furniture. (no MDF) Organic mattresses are a great idea considering you spend about 1/3 of your life on your mattress. All store bought mattresses are FULL of chemicals and flame retardants. For this reason, I do not skimp on pillows, mattresses, and bedding; I go organic.
Get yourself a good quality HEPA air filter. This will remove pollutants from the air such as: pet danger, dust mites, pollen and smoke. These still do not address the outgassing. For this I recommend houseplants. Many houseplants moonlight as effective purifiers. Here are my top recommendations:
English Ivy
This hearty, climbing vine thrives in small spaces as well as rooms with few windows or little sunlight. So it is quite easy to take care of.
How it Helps: Its aids in the absorption of formaldehyde—which is stated to be the most prevalent indoor pollutant (4).
Concerns: Not safe for animals of children. If you choose to have one, make sure you hang them up and out of their reach, cleaning up fallen leaves immediately.
Peace Lily
Royalty Free Image
The Peace Lily is a great air purifier that produces dainty white flowers. It will require more water than other houseplants, so a bit more care is required for this plant.
How it Helps: This beauty rids the air of the VOC benzene, which is a carcinogen (5).
Concerns: Like English Ivy, Peace Lily is not for furry friends.
Lady Palm
Royalty Free Image
An easy-to-grow plant, the Lady Palm has leaves patterned like a fan. It is one of my favorite houseplants as it is really hardy, and it my cat decides a leaf should be lunch, it does not result in an upset belly or worse.
How it Helps: This plant targets ammonia in the home. If you are really strict about green cleaning, ammonia is not likely to be in high quantities in the home. Follow the link below to find out where you might find it (6).
Boston Fern
Royalty Free Image
The Boston Fern that is best in a hanging basket, but if not cared for, it will die fast. It requires humidity and moisture. It will drop leaves fast without it. It’s considered one of the most efficient air purifiers!
How it Helps: According to NASA, “Ferns work by absorbing formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene and reducing peoples’ exposure to those nasty airborne chemicals” (7).
Snake Plant
Image courtesy of DenGarden.com
Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, this plant does not require too much sunlight or water to thrive.
How it Helps: The Snake Plant lowers carbon dioxide, as well as formaldehyde and benzene (8).
Concerns: Not safe for furry friends.
Spider Plant
Image courtesy of thespruce.com
Lastly is the Spider Plant. Another favorite as it is safe for my cats. It does require care, not a plant that you can set it down and forget it. It needs some direct light and plenty of water. Can also work as a hanging plant.
How it Helps: According to a NASA clean air study, “spider plants can filter formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air” (9).
As you can see there are many options for houseplants to remove harmful VOC’s in the home. Please double check and make sure what you choose is appropriate for children as well as pets.
References
(1) Introduction to Indoor Air. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/introduction-indoor-air-quality
(2) Having a Bad Air Day? Improve Your Indoor Air Quality. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/women/features/indoor-air#1
(3) 10 surprising sources of off-gassing in your home, and what you should do about it. Retrieved from https://www.treehugger.com/green-home/10-surprising-sources-gassing-your-home-and-what-you-should-do-about-it.html
(4) Indoor air pollution: An evaluation of three agents. Retrieved from http://enhs.umn.edu/current/5103/air/formaldehyde.html
(5) Benzene. Retrieved from https://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/chemicals.php?id=5
(6) Which Cleaning Products Contain Ammonia? Retrieved from https://www.hunker.com/12207552/which-cleaning-products-contain-ammonia
(7) Ferns, clean air, & NASA. Retrieved from http://www.casaflora.com/media-2/ferns-are-clean/
(8) Snake plant, everything you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.rollingnature.com/blogs/news/snake-plant-everything-you-need-to-know
(9) NASA Clean Air Study. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_Clean_Air_Study
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