Cleanse the air inside your home and bring greenery to your life with these verdant indoor plants.
Did you know the air inside your house can often be more stagnant and polluted than the levels outside? Chemical-based cleaners, air fresheners, and detergents all contribute to the quality of what you breathe in. But there’s an easy way to refresh your home and filter out any nasty toxins. While they brighten up your home, plants also make healthy and natural air filters. By absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases like formaldehyde and benzene through pores on the surface of their leaves, plants help eliminate common indoor air pollutants.
Here are 5 of our favourite additions to a healthy and happy home:
ALOE
(Aloe vera)
This succulent absorbs formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. It grows well on a sunny kitchen window, which means it’s close to hand if you need aloe gel to soothe a burn.
SNAKE PLANT
(Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’)
The snake plant is perfect for your bathroom as it thrives in low light and humid conditions. You can also leave one in your bedroom for a sleep-time oxygen boost – they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during the night.
BAMBOO PALM
(Chamaedorea seifrizii)
This small palm grows best in shady, humid spaces and excels in filtering formaldehyde and xylene. It can also act as a natural humidifier.
PEACE LILY
(Spathiphyllum)
This hardy blooming plant topped NASA’s list for filtering formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene – the three most common air toxins. Leave it in shade, water it once a week, and it will flourish.
SPIDER PLANT
(Chlorophytum comosum)
Resilient and easy to grow, the spider plant absorbs formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and xylene. It’s also considered safe for house pets, so you don’t have to worry about placement.
