Indoor plants offer numerous benefits by absorbing carbon dioxide, purifying the air, and increasing oxygen levels in our homes. According to NASA studies, it is recommended to have one plant per 100 square feet of floor space to optimize air quality.
Here is a list of plants for you to nurture as new additions to your home, ensuring an improved living environment.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)
Placement: Suitable for hanging baskets and shelves in various rooms.
Benefits: Effectively removes formaldehyde, xylene, and carbon monoxide.
Maintenance: Thrives in direct, strong light. Between waterings, allow the soil to gently dry out. “Spiderettes,” or propagable baby plants, are produced by spider plants.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata)
Placement: Ideal for bedrooms and living rooms.
Benefits: Filters formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, benzene, and toluene. Releases oxygen at night.
Maintenance: Requires low to moderate light. Water sparingly, as overwatering can cause root rot. Thrives in well-draining soil.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Placement: Great for bedrooms, living rooms, and offices.
Benefits: Removes benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and ammonia. Increases humidity.
Maintenance: Prefers medium to low light. Maintain consistent soil moisture while avoiding overwatering. Wilted leaves indicate a need for watering.
Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis)
Placement: Can be placed in bedrooms, kitchens, or bathrooms.
Benefits: Filters formaldehyde and benzene. Known for its soothing gel for skin ailments.
Maintenance: Prefers bright, indirect light. Allow the soil to dry out in between waterings. Avoid overwatering to avoid root rot.
Golden Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum)
Placement: Can be grown as a hanging plant or placed on shelves in various rooms.
Benefits: Effective at filtering formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and other pollutants.
Maintenance: Thrives in a wide range of lighting conditions, from low to bright indirect light. After watering, let the soil somewhat dry out. Pothos is a vining plant that can be trained or trimmed as desired.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Placement: Suitable for various rooms, including living rooms, bedrooms, and offices.
Benefits: Filters out a variety of toxins, including formaldehyde and benzene.
Maintenance: Prefers low to medium light conditions. Between waterings, allow the soil to gently dry out. Chinese Evergreen can tolerate some neglect and is relatively low-maintenance.
Rhapis Palm (Rhapis Excelsa)
Placement: Ideal for living rooms, hallways, and offices.
Benefits: Filters formaldehyde, xylene, and ammonia. Also, gives interior areas a hint of elegance.
Maintenance: Thrives in medium to bright indirect light. Maintain a constant moisture level in the soil. Rhapis Palms are relatively slow-growing and prefer to be slightly root-bound.
Areca Palm (Dypsis Lutescens)
Placement: Great for living rooms and bedrooms.
Benefits: Filters formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. Acts as a natural humidifier.
Maintenance: Requires bright, indirect light. Check to see that the soil is continuously damp but not drenched. Mist the leaves occasionally to increase humidity. Areca Palms can benefit from regular pruning to remove brown or yellowing leaves.
Great article on air-purifying house plants for healthy living! If you’re interested in other tips for improving indoor air quality, don’t overlook the importance of filter replacement. Remember to include HVAC maintenance in your healthy living routine to ensure a truly refreshing and purified indoor environment.
Your reminder about the significance of HVAC maintenance and filter replacement is spot on. While air-purifying plants indeed contribute to healthier indoor air, it’s crucial not to forget about the role of the HVAC system. Sometimes, in the pursuit of a truly revitalizing indoor environment, including HVAC replacement in your healthy living routine is a step that shouldn’t be overlooked.