5 Air-Purifying Indoor Plants That Naturally Reduce Toxins in the Atmosphere and Clean the Air

There are plenty of things in the air that people breathe every day that should not be there. Unfortunately, even if people try to clean their house, dust particles and toxic chemicals are still present in daily activity in which some of these are potential carcinogens.

Adding some houseplants to purify the home could naturally clean the air and improve health. However, not all houseplants are considered air-purifying plants. So, you should be picky when it comes to the plants you get inside your home.

Five Air-Purifying Plants

Having air-purifying plants indoors improves not only the air but also mental health. After all, breathing clean air makes people living in the house feel calmer. Here are the top five houseplants that naturally clean the air, according to SciTech Daily:

Having air-purifying plants indoors improves not only the air but also your mental health. After all, breathing clean air makes people living in the house calmer. Here are the top five houseplants that naturally clean the air, according to SciTech Daily:

1. Spider Plant

Spider plant is one of the easiest plants to grow and maintain, so they are a good choice for people who do not have a green thumb. It purifies the air by effectively getting rid of harmful chemicals in the surroundings.

2. Gerbera Daisy

Gerbera daisy is a bright and cheery plant. It can help lift the mood of the residents in the house. More so, it can lower the concentration of nasty chemicals, such as trichloroethylene and benzene, in the air. Benzene is a known carcinogen that suppresses bone marrow to produce blood cells.

3. Weeping Fig

Studies have shown that the weeping fig plant can remove xylene and formaldehyde in the air. Just like benzene, xylene is another chemical that should not be present at home. It can be planted indoors or outdoors in big pots.

4. Rubber Plants (Ficus elastica)

Scientists have also identified rubber plants as air-purifying plants because of their ability to improve air quality. Additionally, they are easy to grow and care for. They can grow up to a height of 50 feet, making them a great addition to your garden outdoors.

5. Flamingo Lily

Flamingly Lily is not as popular as other plants on the list, but it effectively purifies the air. It is also ideal for those who have problems growing and keeping houseplants because it is easy to grow. Flamingo lily adds beauty indoors and purifies the breathable air by removing formaldehyde.

NASA Clean Air Study

In 1989, the American space agency NASA conducted its "Clean Air Study" to investigate the air-purifying capabilities of some houseplants after increasing reports of "sick building syndrome" in the 20th century when fresh air was sacrificed for industrialization.

At the time, the interiors of buildings were super-insulated and sealed airtight to lower the cost of heating and cooling a building. It also simultaneously gave birth to the era of using synthetic materials that gradually emitted harmful off-gases, which are harmful to the health.

The team concluded that the use of safer building materials, minimization of mechanical ventilation, and use of houseplants could mitigate indoor air pollution. The study revealed that certain houseplants could act as a natural air purifier at home to remove organic air pollutants, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

Check out more news and information on Air Quality In Science Times.