Aloe, Aloe! The 10 Most Air Purifying Plants

With cities being more polluted than ever, air purifying plants are more needed than ever for the home

By Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi

From green walls to indoor conservatory spaces, we’re adding more plants to our homes than ever. But this is no modern trend: we know that even going back in time as far as the ancient Egyptians, people were fond of bringing the outdoors in.  And no wonder! By bringing plants indoors, humans can nurture a wonderful connection between Mother Nature and manmade structures.

Plants also benefit the body and soul greatly. Several studies show that those who live surrounded by greenery tend to be less depressed, and it’s been proven that about fifteen plants have the ability to purify the air almost 170 square meters around where they are placed.

Perhaps one of the most important documents that demonstrates beyond a doubt how indoor plants can remove organic chemicals from indoor air comes from a  NASA Clean Air Study:A study of interior landscape plants for indoor air pollution abatement,” led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in association with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America. The study recommended a wide variety of greenery for household use, and also underscores the importance of maintaining plants over much of the Earth’s surface.

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Caring for your plants is easy, especially if you follow these tips:

  • Choose one 10- to 12-inch potted plant per 100 square foot of your home for the most effective air purification.
  • Use filtered water or rainwater for your plants. All plants prefer pure water over tap.
  • Consider where you might place your plants and the amount of sun they need and will receive to ensure your plant will thrive in that area.
  • Periodically dust the leaves of each plant with a damp cloth to ensure proper absorption of air particles and toxins.
  • Keep their soil replenished with rich compost or compost tea. Always avoid non-organic or synthetic fertilizers.

Here, I’ve selected the 10 Most Air Purifying Plants that I think are easiest to care for, most effective for making you breathe easier – and that look lovely in your home, too.

10 Great Air Purifying Plants

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe has an exceptional reputation as a healing plant. If you scratch yourself, try putting the juice of its leaves on your injury. I have done, and it worked wonders. Wouldn’t it be marvellous to have such a miraculous plant handy at all times? Besides its function as a soothing gel, aloe also helps to keep your home free from benzene, which is commonly found in paints and certain chemical cleaners.

Last but not least, you can also use aloe for your beauty routine! Drinking its juice cleanses your digestive system and nurtures you with the plant’s vitamins, and you can also use it to strengthen your scalp while washing your hair.

Sun: High Water: Low Best: Indoors or outdoors if you live in a warm, dry climate

10 great air purifying plants

2. Golden Pothos

This plant with a magical name is excellent for tackling formaldehyde in the home. You should especially consider it for your garage, because  the Golden Pothos (which is also often called the Money Plant or Devil’s Ivy) works to remove toxic volatile organic chemicals such as paint fumes, solvents and gas fuels.

The green and yellow heart-shaped leaves can give a touch of elegance to your decor, and this evergreen plant can grow just about anywhere, even in darker spaces.

Sun: Moderate Water: Moderate Best: Outdoors garden or window boxes

10 great air purifying plants

3. Spider Plant

The spider plant, also known as Chlorophytum comosum, is one of the most air purifying plants around. It’s incredibly popular in many homes since it’s so easy to grow.

The spider plant has a rich foliage that fights benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene. If you have a vivacious kitty cat or a voracious pooch running around your home, rest assured that unlike the Peace Lily, this plant is pet safe. Contrary to other plants that may be poisonous, the spider plant can be sniffed or even chewed on by your four legged friend companion without compromising his health. Plus, it re-grows very quickly.

Sun: Moderate to high Water: Moderate Best: Indoors

spider-plant

4. Azalea

If you want a touch of colour with a strong purifying flower, the Rhododendron simsii, a.k.a Azalea, will be just your cup of tea. This beautiful pink bush is great to fight the formaldehyde from sources such as plywood or foam insulation.

This flower has conquered the hearts of household worldwide, to the extent that there are Azalea festivals in Japan, Hong Kong and the US. In Chinese culture, the Rhododendron was immortalised in the poetry of Du Fu and is known as the “thinking of home bush.”

Sun: High Water: Moderate Best: Outdoors

10 great air purifying plants

5. Weeping Fig

The Ficus Benjamina, which is commonly known as the Weeping Fig, has its roots in Asia and Oceania. In Europe, it has become popular as an apartment plant. This tree, which can reach lofty heights of up to 30 meters, is one of the best air purifying plants, as it can help filter out pollutants that habitually come with carpeting and furniture, such as trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and benzene. And if you live with a smoker, the Weeping Fig is excellent for purifying  air contaminated by cigarettes.

Sun: High Water: Moderate to low  Best: Indoors or outdoors

weeping-fig

6. English Ivy

English Ivy is one of the most common and easy to grow vines. It can cover entire walls with its graceful leaves, and is ideal to contrast mold. Sometimes mold can cause mild allergies, and we don’t even realise that those rashes, sniffles or itches can be overcome with this miraculous plant.

Another perk of English Ivy is that it’s an evergreen plant, and can grow easily in window boxes or even indoors on green walls. Once it starts to grow,  you have a lifetime guarantee of always having one of the best air purifying plants near your home.

Sun: Low to moderate  Water: Moderate Best: Outdoors

english-ivy

7. Orchids

The sophisticated Orchid’s etymology may tickle you pink! The Greek word orchis means ‘testicle’, which is exactly what came to mind for the naughty ancient botanist Theophrastos, who named the flower. This is the largest family of blooming flowers, with over 25,000 species and over 100,000 varieties.

The purifying properties of this flower are formidable – they can rid the air of the xylene that is usually found in furniture glues and house paints. Orchids are not only one of the best air purifying plants, but they’re also incredibly decorative. And since they release loads of fresh oxygen at night, they’re ideal in the bedroom to help detox your lungs from dirty city life.

Sun: Low  Water: Low  Best: Indoors

10 great air purifying plants

8. Peace Lily

Peace Lilies are solemnly elegant, with their white spathes that are simple to tend. The evergreen herbaceous perennial plant, which also goes by the name of Spathiphyllum, is one of the best air purifying plants since it neutralises toxic gases like carbon monoxide. It also removes volatile organic compounds such as benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene in the air.

The Peace Lily may also reduce airborne microbes and increase humidity – perfect for dry flats with central heating in winter. Just be careful the pets don’t start chomping on it, as it’s highly toxic to them, especially cats.

Sun: Moderate  Water: Moderate Best: Indoors

peace-lily

9. Bamboo

According to NASA’s analysis, Bamboo – also called the Reed Palm – tops the list of the best air purifying plants for its ability to filter benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.

This low-maintenance plant, besides cleaning the air, has the exceptional skill of acting as a natural humidifier, which makes it a well suited resource for people with breathing problems. Just be careful if you live in the tropics or a warm climate, as snakes are especially attracted to this plant, too!

Sun: High Water: High  Best: Outdoors

10 great air purifying plants

10. Chrysanthemums

Surprise! Besides cleansing the air from wretched chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, and ammonia, chrysanthemums can also be used as a natural insecticide. If you pulverize the flower, its active components called pyrethrins act as repellent, especially against those nastiest of bugs: mosquitoes. Chrysanthemums also have an ancient reputation in the East as a medicinal plant. The leaves can be steamed or boiled in a tea to help cure colds, headaches and even anxiety.

Sun: Moderate  Water: Moderate Best: Outdoors

chrysanthemum

Images from Wiki Commons and Pixabay

Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
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