Many people believe that the only reason to have plants in their home is for decoration. Though you cant argue that having houseplants adds to the look and décor of a home,
What you may not know is that plants are effective at helping to tackle air pollution. They also generate a more relaxing and comfortable atmosphere no matter what room they are kept with.
It’s also been shown that spending time in nature is associated with being calm and relaxed and having low stressed levels.
A study conducted in the Netherlands in 2008 showed that hospital patients who had indoor plants kept in their room weren’t stressed.
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NASA Plant Study
NASA started studying home plants in the late 1980s. They wanted to see if plants could provide cleaner air for their space stations. They discovered that there were indeed a range of house plants that helped to keep the air clean.
This is because plants are able to naturally filter out harmful compounds in the air, removing air pollutants found in ammonia, formaldehyde, and gasoline, making it much easier, safer, and healthier to breathe.
These plants are easy enough to find and ad to your home to give your family the clean and fresh air they deserve. There’s no need to spend all that money on an air filter with Mother Nature on your side.
NASA say that there are many plants that are able to absorb harmful toxins from the air and release pure clean oxygen. Not to mention they add a fresh touch of decoration to your home!
The Top 7 Plants to Purify Your Air Naturally
Here are seven beautiful plants to put in your home that are simple to clean and also effective at improving oxygen levels and quality in your home.
1.Boston-Fern Plant
The Boston-fern plant is a leafy plant that makes for a great natural air humidifier. As they go about absorbing moisture from the air around them, they also get rid of dangerous formaldehyde. The plant is characterized by its five-foot-high feathers. The name for the Boston-fern plant comes from the fact that it is the most popular house plant for Bostonians.
The Boston fern plant provides numerous health benefits as well as being naturally beautiful. It’s a great addition to the home for anyone suffering from dry skin because it works as a humidifier to restore healthy moisture levels. They can also help to remove formaldehyde. Just be careful when taking care of it. The Boston fern plant needs to be watered regularly and it should be kept in direct sunlight so it can be healthy.
Boston Fern Interesting Fact
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata): An intriguing fact about the Boston Fern is its age as a species. Ferns are among the oldest plants on Earth, with their lineage dating back over 300 million years. This makes the Boston Fern a living link to the distant past, long before the advent of flowering plants. Their ancient heritage is reflected in their distinct, feather-like fronds which have remained relatively unchanged over millions of years. This prehistoric aspect sets them apart from many other houseplants.
2. Peace Lily
The lily of peace is among the most attractive plants when it comes to shapes. It has delicate unique white flowers and it also has one of the highest purification rates of all plants. Peace lilies are able to remove benzene, acetone, chloride, and alcohol from the surrounding air. Just be careful because the plant itself is quite toxic. You must keep it away from children and pets to ensure everyone’s safety.
Peace lily can also help to eliminate mold that may grow in homes because it is able to absorb the germs from mold through its leaves and process them as food. This makes it a great addition to any bathroom. It will keep your bathroom tiles and curtains clean and free from mold while absorbing the harmful vapors of acetone and alcohol.
Fun Peace Lily Fact
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): Beyond their known elegance, Peace Lilies have a unique ability to bloom in low-light conditions. They produce beautiful white flowers that can thrive even in shaded areas of a home, making them a popular choice for rooms with limited natural light.
3. Palm Leaf
The palm leaf plant, also known as Palm Rapids, is a plant that takes a lot of watering during the spring and summer. It compensates for this by being resistant to insects and growing thick leaves that are rich with color. So, it’s a fair trade-off for the trouble. Not to mention, of course, that it helps keep the air clean and fresh.
Palm leaf plants are gorgeous and would make a great addition to any home. Just be prepared to keep it hydrated during the hot weather. Plants are living things after all, and even they will require a little extra care when the weather gets hot.
Interesting Palm Leaf Fact
Palm Leaf (various species): Many palm plants used as houseplants, such as the Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans), are remarkably long-lived. Some indoor palm plants can live for decades, with instances of them outliving their owners. This longevity is unusual among houseplants and adds a historical aspect to their presence in homes.
4. Spider Plant
Spider plant leaves are known to grow quickly, but they are also known to help absorb harmful substances out of the air including allergens and mold. It is a perfect addition to a room inhabited by someone with a dust allergy, or indeed any allergy.
Spider plants require natural light to grow properly, but they shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight. They thrive best in wet environments and grow at an impressive rate if watered twice a week. They can grow so quickly they are fully grown in a few days even. The spider plant is able to remove up to 90% of toxins from the air; including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, solvents used to make rubber, and xylene. It’s also completely safe for pets so one to consider if you’ve got critters in your home.
Fun Fact about Spider Plants
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Spider Plants are known for their prolific reproduction. They produce small plantlets or ‘pups’ at the ends of long, arching stems. These pups can easily be rooted in water or soil to create new plants. This characteristic has made the Spider Plant a popular plant for sharing among friends and family.
5. Snake Plant
The snake plant is unique in that it absorbs carbon dioxide to release oxygen during the night. It’s sort of a nocturnal plant. Most people who have snake plants keep them in the living room or in their bathroom. The plant is a simple one that doesn’t take a lot of care and maintenance to keep healthy. It absorbs formaldehyde and prevents it from doing damage. Formaldehyde is commonly found in cleaning products, personal care products, and toilet paper – among others.
Snake plants are one of the very best plants when it comes to absorbing formaldehyde from the air. If you keep one in your bathroom it should do well there thanks to the low light and wet conditions, while also helping to filter out pollutants and keep the air clean. Keep one in your bathroom where it can enjoy the low light conditions and release plenty of fresh oxygen. Having a lovely plant in the bathroom also helps with the unpleasant smells one may encounter in their bathroom. So they’re worth it for that.
Fun Fact about Snake Plants
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): Snake Plants have an unusual feature in that they can survive extremely irregular watering. Known for their hardiness, they can tolerate long periods of drought. This is due to their rhizomes, which store water, allowing them to survive in harsh, dry environments and making them ideal for forgetful waterers.
6. Cactus Plants
If you want to get a plant for your home, then you can’t go wrong with a cactus. They are a smart choice for sunny kitchen windows. Not only do they keep the air clean, but they are also a popular choice due to their healing properties. Cacti have a gel inside of their leaves that is great for healing injuries and burns. The humble cactus can also significantly improve the indoor air quality of your home. This plant is simple to grow and maintain and helps keep your home free from the gasoline found in chemical detergents and paint.
Interesting Cactus Fact
Cactus (various species): An interesting fact about cacti is their ability to photosynthesize in a unique way called CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism). This adaptation allows them to open their pores and exchange gases during the cool nighttime, reducing water loss in hot, arid environments. This is a key survival mechanism that allows them to thrive in desert conditions.
7. Orchid
The orchid plant has a distinct but beautiful flower. Like snake plants, they stand out due to their ability to increase oxygen emissions at night. They are also known to remove xylene, a common containment found in paint. They make any room easier to breathe in as a result.
Fun Orchid Facts
Orchid (Orchidaceae family): Orchids have a symbiotic relationship with certain types of fungi found in their natural habitat. These fungi are essential for the germination of orchid seeds, as the seeds lack the nutrient reserves to grow on their own. This interdependence is a fascinating aspect of orchid biology and is crucial for their propagation in the wild.
This is just a small teaser of plants that can help keep your indoor air quality at a higher level.
There are many plants you can grow in your home to improve air quality and foster other great benefits.
For example, basil helps to keep out insects and mosquitoes.
Lavender is used for its relaxing and calming effects. Studies have shown that jasmine plants help to reduce anxiety levels.
If you have any kind of problem, Mother Nature likely has the solution. Provided you know where to look.
Another great benefit of having plants in the house is that it helps you to reconnect with nature.
They make your home more beautiful and a better place to live in as you enjoy the diverse range of benefits they offer.
Plants decorate homes, keep rooms bright, and create a more relaxed and comfortable atmosphere in your home.
So try out some of these plants in your house and see what they can do for your mental and physical health and overall quality of life.
Put down the air filter and pick up a potted plant!
