Placing some plants in your living space is a great way to enliven your home decor. But houseplants are not only aesthetically pleasing; they also contribute to cleaning and refreshing the air.
The air quality that we breathe in affects our health and mood dramatically. The purification of air from toxins prevents many diseases, especially respiratory infections. In addition, more oxygen means a better mood and a better mental health.
The knowledge that plants possess natural abilities to filter air is not new, but the classification made by NASA following some tests conducted on regular apartment plants reveals a list of the most suitable plants for cleaning and oxygenating the atmosphere.
The “Clean air” study developed by NASA sought to identify the best plants with filtering abilities in order to use them in space stations. NASA scientists have discovered that certain plants filter common volatile organic compounds much better than others. These compounds are toxic to humans and contain hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene and toluene.
Here’s the list of the most recommended plants:
1. Bamboo plant – removes benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. Bamboo came among the top plants in the NASA air filtration test. This plant prefers shady places, so it can be placed virtually anywhere in the house.
2. Spider plant – removes formaldehyde, xylene and toluene. Spider plant is very easy to grow and care for, as it is very resistant and content with a minimum of indirect natural light. It is safe and non-toxic, so it is strongly recommended if you have dogs and cats.
3. Chrysanthemum – removes benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene and ammonia. This plant with colorful flowers removes all toxins tracked by NASA, ranking among the most effective natural air filters. Chrysanthemum grows best in direct natural light and is available in a wide range of colors.
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4. Peace lily – removes benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene and ammonia. Peace lily shares many features with chrysanthemums when it comes to air filtration. Unfortunately, however, peace lily is very toxic to dogs and cats, so it is not recommended for homes with pets.
5. Aloe Vera – removes benzene and formaldehyde. Aloe is one of the most robust, available and easy to care plants on this list. It has been used in herbal medicine for a long time and is particularly indicated to treat burns, sunburns, constipation, scrapes, cuts and dermatological diseases.
6. Snake plant – removes benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene. Snake plant can manage without problems in dimly lit areas, so it can be kept even in the bathroom. It requires very little care and it is very resistant, so it is ideal especially for those who have no experience in plant care.
Of course, the available selection is much larger, and the video below shows other houseplants with air filtration properties.