How to Use Plants to Reduce Air Pollution in Your Home

by Eileen O’Shanassy

When There is a Noticeable Difference in the Air…

When we walk into a greenhouse, the first thing we notice is the air. It is usually warm, but it is also moist, rich, alive. It smells clean, even though we may be surrounded by fungi, insects, and dirt. How can this be? And how can we also apply these benefits to create the same feeling in our homes?

The secret is in the plants.

Plants have a long history of doing the grunt work in scrubbing our air. Ficuses and ferns are considered good choices for most homes because they are very hardy, which means they can survive even those of us with black thumbs. Similarly, peace lilies and bamboo are often used in corporate atriums because they are both attractive and freshen the air.

The Science Inside the Leaves

Some of this might feel a little too good to be true. After all, we have heard about sick building syndrome and carbon monoxide poisoning. The suggestion that adding a couple of Boston ferns will clean the air might feel too simple. But it’s true, and science has the proof.

In the same way that humans and animals breathe oxygen and emit carbon dioxide, plants breathe carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. This makes them active air filters, not only increasing surrounding oxygen concentrations, but also metabolizing a variety of chemicals harmful to humans, including carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde. This is confirmed by a NASA study from 1989, analyzing which plants are the best indoor air cleaners. After all, astronauts on a spaceship cannot simply open a window for fresh air.

Benefits of Breathing Clean Air

Clean, fresh air is the first step to correctly nourishing our bodies and maintaining mental clarity. Other benefits of using plants to raise ambient oxygen levels and decrease airborne toxins include the following:

Increased serotonin levels, thus creating a feeling of general well-being.

Improved cardiovascular efficiency.

Improved ability for lungs to remove and expel toxins from the body.

Exposure to phytoncides, a stress-reducing chemical produced by plants.

Improved cognitive efficiency.

Strengthened immune system.

More energy.

Fewer feelings of malaise, such as headaches, dizziness, or nausea.

One can further increase the benefits of clean air through regular exposure to natural sunlight.

Air-Purifying Plants for the Home

NASA’s findings are, therefore, good news for lovers of houseplants, good air, and the color green. They discovered a long list of plants that remove formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, ammonia, and even carbon monoxide from the air:

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Broadleaf lady palm (Raphis excelsa)

Areca palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)

Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

Rubber plant (Ficus robusta)

Dracaena “Janet Craig” (Dracaena deremensis)

Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)

Azalea (Rhododendron simsii)

Dwarf date palm (Phoenix roebelenii)

Ficus Alii (Ficus macleilandii “Alii”)

Boston fern (Nephrolepis exalted “Bostonian’s”)

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum “Mauna Loa”)

English ivy (Hedera helix)

Aloe vera (Aloe vera)

Dwarf banana (Musa cavendishii)

Chrysanthemum mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)

Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

Golden pothos (Scindapsus aures)

Warneck dracaena (Dracaena deremensis “Warneckii”)

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema crispum “Deborah”)

Heart leaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium)

Not all of these plants are safe for house pets, and some are more difficult to care for than others, so double check toxicity and care requirements before visiting your local plant nursery.

About the Author

Eileen O’Shanassy is a freelance writer and blogger based out of Flagstaff, Arizona. She writes on a variety of topics and loves to research and write. She also enjoys baking, biking, and kayaking. Check out Eileen on Twitter @eileenoshanassy.