Houseplants that Clean the Air

Posted on 01/31/2017 by AHMC Anaheim Regional Medical Center

Naturally Purify Your Air with these Houseplants

When talking about air pollution, we always think of thick, black smoke coming out of power plants or car emissions. It may be hard to imagine but indoor air pollution exists.

Here are some sources of indoor pollution:

Molds and pollens that usually come from your HVAC system
Household products and pesticides
Gasses such as carbon monoxide and radon
Materials used in buildings and furniture such as asbestos, formaldehyde, and lead

Since indoor air pollution is confined in much smaller spaces than the pollution outside, they pose higher risks to you and your family's health. There are several ways to reduce the pollutants from your home, but the easiest and most natural way is to invest in some houseplants. Not only can these plants improve the quality of your indoor air, they can also brighten up any home or office.

Snake Plant

If you want a plant that is easy to take care of and non-toxic to children and pets, snake plant or mother in law's tongue is the houseplant for you. Snake plants are known to purify indoor air from formaldehyde and benzene that are common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissues, and other personal care products. You can put this plant in your bathroom and watch them thrive even with low light and humid conditions.

Spider Plant

Whether you have a green thumb or not, you can do no wrong when you have a spider plant. This houseplant is very resilient and easy to grow or replant. Spider plants are known to promote high air purification and can help decrease exposure to formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene commonly found in household products such as paints, lacquers, adhesives and more.

Moth Orchids

For those looking for plants that are also aesthetically pleasing for your home or office, you may want to get some moth orchids. This elegant flowering plant comes in different colors and can be a perfect centerpiece for your coffee table or work desk. While they look high maintenance, moth orchids are actually easy to care for and can thrive even when neglected. Moth orchids are known to reduce xylene and toluene in the air, making them suitable housewarming gifts for those who have recently moved into or renovated a new space.

These are just some of the many air purifying houseplants that you can get for your home or office space. As we continue to spend most of our time indoors, these houseplants are great investments.

This article contains general information about medical conditions and treatments. The information is not advice and should not be treated as such. The information is not intended to replace the advice or diagnosis of a physician. If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.