House plants can help improve the air quality in your home since plants have a natural ability to purify air.
Their process of photosynthesis enables them to absorb light and gasses such as carbon dioxide. They use this process to fuel their growth and in the process produce oxygen as a bi-product.
Besides absorbing carbon dioxide, they can absorb other gaseous substances such as VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Common VOCs are things like Benzene and Formaldehyde. Benzene is found in cigarette smoke, plastics and pesticides. Formaldehyde is found in fabric softeners, cosmetics, furniture finishes, building materials and detergents.
There are air purification systems designed to remove these dangerous VOCs. The Reme Halo system will effectively remove all toxins, microbes and contaminants. Plants are natural air purifiers but, they are not able to eliminate VOCs like air purifiers do. Plants can go a long way in improving your indoor air quality.
Ten of the best plants for improving your indoor air quality are:
Aloe Vera
You may know that the juice of the aloe Vera is very effective in treating sunburn. It is also very adept at removing formaldehyde from the air. It is a beautiful, exotic looking succulent that does best in a well lit room.
Areca Palm
The Areca palm is very good at absorbing most all toxins. The Areca or Golden Palm are large and eventually can reach a height of 6’- 7’. They require plenty of direct sunlight or abundant indirect light. They can be purchased as small table top plants. You can expect up to 6” growth per year.
Bamboo or Lady Broadleaf Palm
Another large palm, this plant is known to cleanse the air of toxins and microorganisms. This palm prefers diffused light and is the best choice of fan palms for indoor use.
Rubber Tree
The rubber tree, Ficus Elastica is excellent at removing formaldehyde from the air. It is a very hardy, easy plant to raise and does well with plenty of indirect light. The size of the plant can be influenced by the size of the pot. If you want to keep them smaller, keep them in smaller pots as long as possible.
Corn Plant Dracaena
These Dracaenas have a broad leaf which resembles a vegetable corn leaf. These beautiful house plants are the best plants for tackling cigarette smoke and Benzene. These easy care plants do best with plenty of indirect or filtered light.
Dracaena Marginata or Dragontree
The Dracaena Marginata is a very easy care plant which excels at removing xylene and trichloroethylene. These are known carcinogens which can cause breast cancer. Dracaena Marginata can do well in lower light to medium indirect light.
Golden Pothos
Very easy care vine like trailing growers. Golden Pothos excels at removing carbon monoxide, benzene and formaldehyde from the air. This Pothos is very adaptable to many kinds of environments.
Philodendron Cordatum
This trailing or climbing plant does a good job at removing most all toxins. It can be used as a hanging or trellis plant and is easy to maintain. A relatively small plant which does best in indirect light.
Spider Plant
Brightly variegated, this smaller houseplant will work hard to remove carbon monoxide and cigarette smoke contaminants. Easy to raise as a table or hanging plant, it needs only moderate light.
Boston Fern
Ferns, especially the Boston Fern are great at tackling Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is in your home usually from furniture and building material emissions. The Boston fern requires humidity and indirect light and will do best when sprayed with a mister from time to time.
In conclusion, these natural beauties can enrich your home as well as help improve your indoor air quality. People who have health concerns regarding their air quality though should consider an air purification system.
Air Purifiers like Reme Halo effectively remove all toxins, microbes, molds and virtually all contaminants and odors. For that reason, Air purifiers are more effective if there are health concerns.
Air Doctor Heating and Air can explain the benefits and provide you with a Free Estimate.