"The House Plants That Clean The Air Awards: The Best, Worst And The Most Bizarre Things We've Seen
House Plants That Clean the Air
Greenery can enhance the air quality of your home and ease stress. Plants can also bring color and style to any decor.
Previous research has revealed that certain plants are able absorb pollutants like formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and benzene through their leaves or roots.
This list of popular house plants that clean the atmosphere will help you select the best plants for your home.
Snake Plant
The snake plant, also known as Mother-inlaw's Tongue, is among the simplest house plants to grow and maintain. The leaves that are strappy create a beautiful centerpiece in any room, and it is recognized for its ability to filter airborne toxins and pollutants. NASA's study on clean air revealed that snake plants as well as other common houseplants eliminate the toxins such as benzene. formaldehyde. toluene. It does this by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen via photosynthesis at night time.
The snake plant is a good choice for those who have trouble sleeping due to poor indoor air quality. It is also a good choice for those who have pets, since it's safe to animals and humans alike.
Avoid overwatering when taking care of snake plants. This is because snake plants are native to dry, rocky areas and do not like being soaked. It is recommended to let the soil to dry out between irrigations. You can use a basic water meter to determine the amount of water in the soil.
If you're interested in adding the snake plant to your home, there are several different cultivars you can discover at the majority of garden centers. Some of the most well-known include Sansevieria trifaciata 'Twist' which has twisted and striped leaves and can grow to around 14 inches (35.5 cm.) tall and Sansevieria trifaciata 'Bantel's Sensation', which has leaves that are narrow and horizontally striped with yellow variegated edges. It can grow up to 3 feet (91.4 centimeters.) tall.
In addition to being easy to take care of Snake plants are robust and adaptable. They can thrive in different conditions such as low-light. They are also resistant to pests, which makes them an ideal houseplant for beginners.
Aloe Vera
The aloe vera plant has long been a favourite of many due to its healing and skincare properties. The gel inside aids in healing burns and wounds while it soothes the skin and helps prevent wrinkles. The plant is also good for digestion and other health problems. Aloe vera plants cleanse the air by removing harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that build up over time in stagnant indoor environments.
VOCs are chemical compounds that are released into the air from various household products such as paint, glue and cleaning supplies. These chemicals can cause headaches, dizziness, and other symptoms if they are inhaled for prolonged durations of time. Aloe vera removes these toxins and aids in purifying the air by photosynthesis. It does this by absorbing carbon dioxide and harmful compounds.
Aloe vera is particularly effective in reducing airborne toxins by photosynthesis. This makes them a great houseplant to eliminate VOCs, and other toxic substances.
The plant thrives in bright light, so place it near your windowsill or on a sunny location outdoors. Make sure potted house plants gets at least six hours of sunlight per day. Aloe is able to tolerate dry environments. However, lack of sunlight will cause the leaves to weaken and become leggy. It can also be susceptible to pests like mealybugs, scale or mites.
The English Ivy can also be an excellent plant to have in your home. It assists in reducing the amount of airborne fecal matter that can be harmful to breathe in over long periods of time. It has antiseptic properties and releases oxygen in the evening, which allows it to effectively cleanse the air.
This plant is extremely easy to take care of and can be found in most gardening stores or online. It is tolerant of all conditions and requires very little water. The plant also releases an aroma that is pleasant when it is in bloom. Keep in mind that English Ivy is a climber. It can cause damage to surfaces or cause them to fall over.
Weeping Figure
A favorite houseplant since Victorian times Weeping figs (Ficus benjamina) clear the air of common household toxins such as formaldehyde and xylene. This evergreen that grows slowly is easy to take care of and is tolerant of high humidity. Place it in a place with bright indirect light and some light shade. Avoid excessively watering. It is best to move it outside during the summer months, and to a location that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. Avoid placing it near drafty windows because this can cause excessive leaf fall.
Often, it is sold as an indoor tree this tropical plant stands out with its arching stems of small green or variegated leaf. Growers sometimes braid the branches to create a decorative topiary effect. potted house plants of the more exotic cultivars are 'Indigo,' which has dark-green glossy leaves, 'Midnight' which has wavy leaves and a 'Silver Cloud or 'Monique' with broad variegated leaflets.
This plant, also known as spathiphyllum or peacelily, is easy to care for and is tolerant of low light conditions. It is also one of NASA's most efficient plants for eliminating airborne Volatile Organic Compounds such as formaldehyde and trichloroethylene as well as benzene.
Keep the plant away from direct sunlight as the sun's rays can cause burning to the leaves. During the growing season, water it every 10 days. Repot it every year in spring.
Like many other evergreens, the plant is dormant in the winter and fall. This is the time to reduce watering and stop fertilizing. However, the plant will not shed its leaves like deciduous trees.
good house plants is prone to scale and spider mites. insects. To prevent pest infestations, take out any leaves that are infested and wash the plant's leaves to get rid of their spores. To propagate weeping figs, cut a stem using at least two sets of leaves and make the cutting about 1/4 inch below the set of healthy leaves. The cutting will quickly root when placed in moist potting mix and lightly coated with a rooting hormone. You can also propagate the plant using seeds, which are generally available in the latter part of summer and early autumn. Seeds can be kept in a cool, dry area for up to 2 years.
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica, commonly known as the rubber plant, or the fig, is among NASA's most effective indoor air purifier plants. Its large leaves are thought to absorb toxins and pollutants, and then break them down into harmless compounds which are then absorbed and assimilated by the roots. In a recent study it was found that the roots of the rubber plant are more effective than other houseplants when it comes to eliminating toxins.
The rubber plant is a perennial evergreen that grows to be quite large outdoors in warm climates, but it typically remains smaller when used as an indoor plant. In its native habitat, it bears delicate white-colored flowers in the spring that produce a fig-like, inedible fruit after pollination. However, flowering is not what draws most people to this gorgeous plant as its leaves are the primary attraction.
Although the rubber plant has been used to make bouncey balls and an artificial bridge in some parts of India It is mostly appreciated because of its ability to purify the air. It is also easy to take care of and makes an ideal houseplant.
Contrary to other houseplants the rubber plant does not require a lot of sunlight. It thrives in moderate to low light conditions and adapts well to dark areas. It is important to avoid excessive levels of humidity as this can cause damaged leaves and rotting roots. It is important to water the soil evenly but not overly. good house plants needs to be kept between the warm and average temperature of the room.
Due to their ability to filter air, the rubber plants are beneficial for those suffering from respiratory or allergies issues. They can reduce dust and odors and can also ease eye irritation. This plant may also help to reduce the amount benzene in your home.
Like all houseplants the rubber plant can be susceptible to a range of pests, especially spider mites. These tiny insects feed on sap of the plant and may cling to the leaves. It's easy to eliminate these unwanted guests. Simply wipe down the leaves using a damp, clean cloth lightly misted with insecticidal soap or neem.