10 Plants to Improve Your Air Quality at Home

Did you know that the average person spends 90% of their time indoors? That’s the statistic, according to a report released by the Environmental Protection Agency. I was floored when I first read it – I mean, really? 90%? It seemed extreme, but then I thought about it. Most people work office jobs inside, we sleep inside, cook inside, socialise inside – perhaps this statistic is that gentle reminder we need to get outdoors and enjoy our beautiful land. But I digress – this article isn’t about getting out to enjoy the sunshine, it’s about boosting the quality of life we have when we are indoors.

The sheer amount of time we spend inside exposes us to indoor air pollution. This pollution can come from paint, carpet fumes, cleaning products, pesticides, air fresheners, pans and plastics, just to name a few. Our houses are sealed well because of increasing energy costs and the need to conserve resources. This, coupled with the increasingly polluted nature of our earth, makes it easier for indoor air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, benzene and formaldehyde, to accumulate to dangerous levels. In fact, it’s been found that air pollution in our homes is often up to 3 times as bad as the air outside!

Luckily, we have discovered a way to keep increasing indoor pollution levels at bay; indoor plants, instead of just boosting your home décor, are effective weapons in fighting this danger. “Plants are the lungs of planet Earth. They make life on Earth possible by their oxygen production, and filter toxins from the air – indoor plants can fulfil these same functions in your home too – not just in the forests.”

The idea of improving air quality with plants is not a completely new one. It was first advocated in 1989 by a NASA Clean Air Study, which was looking into different ways to filter the air in space stations. The NASA study discovered that regular houseplants can absorb dangerous toxins from the air and function as a natural way of removing toxic agents, especially in confined spaces with minimal air flow.

Plants are magic little things that improve air quality in a few different ways. The most well-known of course, is that they absorb the polluted carbon dioxide we breathe out, and convert it into fresh oxygen. A lesser known benefit is their ability to purify the air of toxins. They absorb some of the toxic particles in the air through their leaves – but that’s not all – pollutants are passively absorbed by microbes in the soil, which are responsible for much of the cleaning effect.

1. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
One of the plants most effective at absorbing pollutants is English Ivy. But be careful – English Ivy is toxic when ingested, so keep it out of reach of any toddlers or pets. It’s also listed as a noxious weed in many parts of Australia as it spreads rapidly and is an expert at killing other plants when left to run outdoors. Keep your eye on this sneaky devil.

2. Areca Palms (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)
Areca palms are great for bigger spaces and their feathery, arching fronds are an excellent way to brighten up interiors. Even better, they are a weapon in terms of eliminating toxins and they are even non-toxic to both dogs and cats. They have been found to remove benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and xylene! They’re a plant that likes to be well-watered, especially in the summer months.

3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies stand out from the other plants due to their epic ability to remove ammonia. This makes them especially well-placed in the bathroom. It is one of the most efficient air cleaners, especially considering its size, and is also exceptional at removing acetone, trichloroethylene, benzene and formaldehyde.

4. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
Aloe Vera is a super low-maintenance plant and also comes with some serious health wins. The leaves are packed with a clear liquid full of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, and other compounds that have wound-healing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also king at removing formaldehyde.

5. Red Edged Dracaena (Dracaena reflexa)
Another epic air filter, the red edged dracaena is a winner due to its hardly nature – it is rarely inhibited by common plant diseases and under the correct conditions will live for decades! It is one of the best plants at removing trichloroethylene from the air, a toxin found in renovation materials like paint removers, varnish remover, adhesive etc.

6. Florist’s Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
A winning plant in the NASA study was Florist’s Chrysanthemum, a popular flower that effectively filters airborne toxins. The gorgeous blossoms are a well-known characteristic of Chrysanthemums, but what is lesser known is the ability of the blooms to not only brighten rooms, but also to cleanse the air. Key toxins removed by Chrysanthemums include formaldehyde, xylene, ammonia, benzene, toluene and trichloroethylene.

7. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
This is another great option if you aren’t gifted with a green thumb. Because of this, they’re great for beginners or forgetful owners. They thrive in indirect sunlight and survive in just about any condition (they’ve even been known to survive in temperatures as low as 2 degrees). They also send out shoots of baby spider plants called spiderettes, so you can build a whole greenhouse family. Spider plants are awesome at removing formaldehyde and xylene.

8. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
The Bamboo palm is the most effective plant at filtering formaldehyde – part of the reason they are able to filter so much air is that they can grow to be reasonably big. They are pet friendly and aesthetically stunning, making them the perfect addition to any room.  Bamboo palms also help keep the indoor air moist, making it a good humidifier in dry winter months.

9. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
This little baby is excellent at removing xylene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. It blossoms in a cooler climate and can even withstand temperatures as low as 5 degrees for periods of time. It’s easy to grow, but a word of warning – they do grow quickly, so you may need to invest in a stake!

10. Snake Plant (Sanseviera)
According to the NASA study, the snake plant improves indoor air quality by removing a monstrous 107 known air pollutants. It also produces oxygen during the night, making it the perfect inhabitant for your bedroom. For those who are worried of their black thumb, the good news is that the snake plant thrives in basically any climate, and can go for extended periods of time without water.