It is safe to say that all plants are air purifying absorbing toxins in the air, but there are a few special plants that significantly help to purify the air that we breathe.
Did you know that many common household items contain benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, and other nasty stuff? Well, if you’re looking to improve the quality of air in your home, consider buying a plant. Studies have shown that houseplants can absorb some of the chemicals mentioned.
It is easy to care for your houseplants once you have the right caring tips. Below we have put together an easy to care guide for your air-purifying plants.
Tips for caring for your air purifier plants.
- Outdoor plants that are also used inside like Aloe vera, Dypsis Lutescens will need to be watered well every 2 – 3 days.
- Indoor plants like Peace Lilies, Alocasia and Spider plants will need watering on all other days and need to be placed in good light.
- Aglaonemas, Dieffenbachia, and Philodendrons need to be watered twice a week and tolerate more shade.
- Ferns are more semi-shade plants and will need a good amount of watering, they can be placed indoors, provided they get enough light.
- Plants like Snake Plant and ZZ plants can be placed indoors and need watering only once a week.
Here are some of the most durable air purifying plants in our opinion:
- Scindapsus Aureus (Devil’s Ivy)
Also known as pothos or golden pothos, this is an easy to grow indoor houseplant that will fight off common household toxins. It adds instant colour to any room.
- Philodendron
The heart-shaped philodendron range is a luscious addition to indoor spaces. Philodendrons are available in a whole range of colours to light up your home. Philo’s are relatively easy to look after and just need moderate water and bright, indirect sunlight.
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)
Are you worried about how to care for an indoor plant? Spider plants are the perfect choice for newbies and those with a bad track record when it comes to plants. They thrive in indirect sunlight and survive in just about any condition. Spider plants also send out shoots of baby spider plants called spiderettes. Not only are they easy to care for, but they also purify our air from formaldehyde and xylene.
- Rubber plants (AKA Ficus Elastica)
These burgundy evergreen trees are very hardy plants that love bright, filtered light and weekly watering in summer and fortnightly watering in winter. Ficus plants can grow in a small pot or be encouraged to grow into a large indoor tree in pots or straight in the ground. Purifying toxins like xylene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene, makes the rubber plants a very good air purifier.
- Areca Palms (Dypsis Lutescens)
Areca palms are great for bigger spaces. Placed in a big pot in an empty corner they become an instant feature. They are a powerhouse when it comes to eliminating toxins and they are even non-toxic to both dogs and cats. Look after them with lots of water (a couple of times a week) during summer but not as much in winter.
- Dracaena
When you are looking for a bigger indoor plant, dracaena is for you. Dracaena can grow up to 15-foot tall, making them perfect for filling voids and big spaces. These guys love indirect sunlight but under no circumstances should be placed in direct sunlight. Water them once a week in the warmer months but be careful too much water can cause root decay. With easy care and purifying air traits you cannot go wrong with Dracaena.
- Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is trending at the moment for all the beneficial attributes it can give a human. Aloe vera isn’t just handy for its anti-inflammatory properties, repairing wounds and helping with sunburn, but it turns out it is a great air purifier too. They thrive in warm well-lit rooms, growing brown spots on their leaves when the amount of harmful chemicals is extreme.
- Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
With many varieties and an easy to care indoor plant, this is a must have. They tolerate most conditions but thrive in well-drained soil, humid temps with medium to low light conditions. It is recommended that you fertilise your Chinese Evergreen plants twice a year.