According to research, air pollution isn’t confined to the outdoors surrounding cities and industrial areas. The Environmental Protection Agency suggests indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Poor indoor air is a health issue. That’s because when family members are indoors, they breathe in particulates like dust and mold spores along with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from plastics, paints, carpeting, and everyday activities like cooking.
For example, health issues related to formaldehyde, a VOC common in building materials, include nose, mouth, and throat irritation. Toxic chemicals like benzene found in personal care products can cause drowsiness and headaches and, over time, may decrease red blood cell counts. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to improve IAQ. They range from simple changes to more sophisticated high-tech solutions like whole-home air purifiers. One of the simpler ones is adding houseplants to your home.
How Plants Help Clean Indoor Air
If you review basic botany, you’ll recall that during photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into fresh oxygen. That’s why planting and preserving trees is critical to controlling air pollution. Can they do the same indoors? It’s a question NASA wanted to answer back in 1989 as a way to provide clean air to astronauts in orbit. They tested different plant species and found that the plants cleaned up to 87% of VOCs like benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde from indoor air. It turns out that plants absorb these toxic chemicals through their leaves. Once in their root systems, these chemicals are broken down into the basic building blocks of life, such as sugars and amino acids.
Cleaning indoor air with plants alone would require placing greenery from floor to ceiling, but a few strategically placed indoor plants can help. Choose your plants from this list of the best plants to improve your IAQ.
1. Snake Plant
Plants that do not need sunlight are the best ones to grow indoors. A striped green snake plant needs a minimum amount of water and light to thrive. This easy-care plant is perfect for busy households whose family members don’t have much free time. Also known as “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue,” it can survive almost anywhere in all conditions from sun to shade. All it takes to keep this plant variety happy is to water it when the soil dries out. Your snake plant will help remove carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, benzene, and other harmful chemicals from the indoor air.
2. Rubber Tree
Also easy to care for, the rubber tree is an excellent remover of formaldehyde, the most common VOC in homes. It’s an attractive plant with glossy leaves of dark green and burgundy. It’s a slow grower but will eventually reach about 10 feet tall indoors. It is very tolerant of cool temperatures and low light.The rubber tree is not the best choice for households with small children or pets. The leaves are poisonous if ingested.
3. Philodendron Heartleaf
Philodendron Heartleaf is a pretty trailing plant that’s perfect for sitting on top of a shelf or bookcase. Its shiny heart-shaped leaves devour formaldehyde from the air. They are fast-growing and can thrive anywhere from shade to full sun. If you water them regularly, they’re practically indestructible.
4. Peace Lily
A peace lily is a beautiful plant that produces delicate white blooms in the spring. It is known as a symbol of sympathy. Peace lilies also rid the air of acetone, alcohols, formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. They grow best in average indoor temperatures and low light. Be careful with peace lilies if you have pets. They are toxic to dogs and cats.
5. English Ivy
One of the most popular indoor houseplants, English ivy, is a trailing plant that works well in either a standing or hanging planter. It’s a fast-growing plant that tolerates low to bright indirect light and only needs watering when the soil feels dry. Since it’s easy to propagate, you can economically fill your home with greenery. It can also be grown in water, so no soil is necessary. However, you will need to feed it with a water-soluble fertilizer.
English ivy will remove benzene and other toxins from the air. Just keep it healthy and happy by placing it in cooler temperatures and misting the leaves occasionally to control spider mites.
6. Spider Plant
The classic spider plant is a great choice for beginners to grow. It flourishes in plenty of indirect sunlight and likes lots of water. When mature, it will produce white flowers that turn into baby spider plants that will root in soil or water when removed. Spider plants are highly efficient at removing gases emitted by carpeting, cigarette smoking, carbon monoxide, and cooking.
7. Bamboo Palm
The bamboo palm is a good choice for rooms with a high ceiling. They can reach a height of up to 12 feet with a width of 1 to 2 feet. They can thrive in low light if the soil is kept evenly moist. Only water it when the soil is dry to the touch. You can depend on this easy-to-maintain plant to cleanse your indoor air of harmful compounds like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
8. Dracaena
Dracaenas, sometimes called dragon plants, love humidity and bright, indirect light. They’re a good choice for bathrooms and kitchens. Dracaenas are very effective at cleaning the air of carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene. They’re also helpful in controlling respiratory problems since they increase the amount of humidity indoors.
9. Aloe Vera
Best known for the soothing gel inside its leaves, aloe vera has long been used as an antibacterial for relief from sunburn and other skin conditions. As an air purifier, it reduces toxic chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde commonly found in cleaning products. It will grow well in a sunny window. Water it when the soil feels dry.
10. Chrysanthemums
For colorful flowers in the fall and cleaner air indoors, add a few chrysanthemums to your home. NASA claims this plant is among the best at ridding indoor air of pollutants like formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene. It is a short-lived plant and will only last a few weeks, and many people include them in their home decor for festive occasions. Give it 4-6 hours of direct sunlight and keep the soil evenly moist.
Other Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air
HVAC filters
Change your HVAC filter regularly to avoid dirty air and costly repairs. It is recommended that you replace them at least every three months. Clean filters allow proper airflow through your heating and cooling system and capture airborne pollutants.
Air Ducts
Dust, dander, and mold that accumulate in your ductwork reduce the quality of your indoor air. Hire a professional to clean your ducts at least every three years.
Cooking Vents
Gas stoves and electric burners release contaminants such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide into your kitchen. When cooking, be sure to turn on your oven vents or open a window.
Vacuum Regularly
Carpeting and rugs trap dust and other particulates inside the fibers. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and clean them regularly.
The professionals at TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical in Plainfield understand the importance of clean indoor air. We don’t deliver live plants to your door, but you can depend on us for clean-air solutions like whole-home air purification systems. We can also help with all your cooling and heating needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced team members.
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