How to purify in-home air with plants and flowers? Potted plants and fresh flowers can enhance interior aesthetics, bring an elegant pop of color to the ambiance, and are a pleasure to behold. Flowers and plants look good, smell good, and carry a deep meaning; they are truly magical.
But the beautiful capabilities of the flora representatives do not stop at that. There is a host of plants and flowers that can significantly improve the quality of indoor air. According to NASA research, many household plants effectively remove toxic chemicals from indoors.
The main reason is often so much greenery in offices and public places. Plants like ivy, small palms, and succulents can naturally filter the surrounding atmosphere, saving people from inhaling potentially dangerous chemicals and contaminants.
Read more: Succulent Party Favors: The Perfect Way to Thank Your Guests.
Household Plants Neutralize Air Pollutants
Many people are unaware that the inside air is often much more harmful to human health than the air outside. Unfortunately, many offices and rooms do not have adequate ventilation, so toxic airborne chemicals are not removed but stay inside and do their criminal job (worsening the human condition). NASA discovered that certain indoor plants could significantly reduce the content of air pollutants in the room. Houseplants can absorb and neutralize toxins harmful to humans.
Common Toxins Invading Our Homes
- Trichloroethylene is a toxic substance present in many household products we use daily, including cleansing wipes, aerosols, paint/spot removers, spray adhesives, and carpet cleaners, to name a few. Even short-term exposure to it can result in intense headaches, nausea, vertigo, and fainting.
- Formaldehyde is another well-spread volatile toxic agent in many household goods, such as plywood, foam insulation, wallpaper, paints, cosmetics, and personal care products. Inhaling Formaldehyde particles can result in lung swelling, rhinitis, sore throat, and eye redness.
- Ammonia is a metabolic by-product of animals. Breathing in ammonia can seriously irritate the lungs, eyes, and skin, worsen asthma symptoms, and facilitate respiratory infections.
- Xylene is a toxic solvent and Volatile Organic Compound presented in many common household commodities, including perfumes, pest repellents, floor polish, and cleaners. This chemical can trigger confusion, lightheartedness, vomiting, mucous membrane irritation, and liver and kidney function.
- Polyvinyl Chloride is a compound used to produce plastic wraps, PVC bottles, food containers, vinyl flooring, drapes, wall coverings, kid’s toys, cosmetics, and fixatives. Even low-dose exposure risks to this substance include endocrine, respiratory, and central neural system damage (dizziness, drowsiness, and headaches).
Plants and Flowers That Improve Indoor Air Quality
It is evident that pollutants and toxins continuously plague the internal air in many spaces to compromise their feel-good and mood. But you can quickly exorcise malicious agents from the room, leveraging the power of natural plants and flowers. Here are the best picks to do the trick.
Chrysanthemum Morifolium
Also dubbed florist’s daisy and hardy garden mum, Chrysanthemum Morifolium is blessed with a cute appearance and a supernatural power to decrease the concentration of toxins all around. It is one of the most popular plants to provide long-lasting natural beauty both indoors and outdoors.
Chrysanthemum Morifolium is a perfect gift plant for anyone who hasn’t taken care of a plant before. This potted specimen plant is available in a bevy of stunning hues and forms and can suit almost every interior design or patio layout.
This herbaceous plant can filter trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, xylene, and ammonia from the inner air. You can find chrysanthemum morifolium in garden beds, as just-cut flowers, and as a pot plant, so you can safely choose this darling for global flower delivery to send a dose of fresh air to your loved ones.
Gerbera Jamesonii
Commonly known as the Barberton Daisy, Gerbera Jamesonii is a flowering plant belonging to Gerbera. Happily growing from seed, Barberton Daisy is a popular staple in both containers and garden beds. It is not unusual to see Gerbera Jamesonii stems in fresh floral arrangements that bring a dramatic splash of color and cheer. Besides looking adorable, Gerbera lowers the concentration of harmful toxins and carbon dioxide in the surrounding area.
Anthurium Andraeanum
Alternatively called Flamingo Lily or Lace Leaf, Anthurium Andraeanum is among the most beautiful and desirable houseplants. Large, flat, glossy leaves complement luscious, bright flower heads. Too good to be honest, Andraeanum is easy to be mistaken for plastic.
The striking blooms are often cut and used in floral arrangements. These cuties come in different colors depending on the Anthurium variety or hybrid, so you will easily find the one to fit your taste. The classy appearance is not the only merit of the Flamingo Lily, and it can also combat hazardous substances floating in the air while making a vivid addition to any interior.
Spathiphyllum
Other names of Spathiphyllum include Peace Lily and Closet Plant, and it is a popular houseplant in offices and homes. These charming botanicals not only elevate the ambiance but are also excellent at purifying the indoor air. Most commonly, these natural sweeties have solid green leaves and impressive whiteheads. Trust this potted flower to remove trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, and ammonia, and by doing so will bring a splash of green and white to the room.
“Mother-In-Law’s Tongue”
Commonly nicknamed Snake Plant or Mother-In-Law’s Tongue, Dracaena trifasciata is an excellent indoor plant that is highly low-maintenance (it will not droop even if you forget to water it for weeks in a dark space).
This happy striped potted plant will both add a natural scent and make the air healthier. If you place a pot with Snake Plant by your bed, expect to sleep tight ever after. This magical flower releases generous quantities of oxygen in the air, helping you breathe well while sleeping. It effectively filters such toxins as formaldehyde, xylene, and trichloroethylene.
Aglaonema
The gem of a plant, Aglaonema or Chinese Evergreen, is a typical floral resident in many homes and apartments. Believed to bestow the owner with luck, this plant is also low-maintenance and makes an excellent choice for novice gardeners. It is a good air cleanser of formaldehyde and benzene.
English Ivy
This household botanical is famed for its killing effect on airborne molds and formaldehyde. It is one of the strongest air-purifying perennials to filter the toxins from your spaces. You can grow ivy in a small pot, but it will look its best when planted in hanging planters or unique floral baskets.
Ficus
These lovely woody trees may be pretty inconsistent in care and not tolerate sudden changes in watering, placement, or nourishment. But once it adapts to the environment, Ficus will seamlessly sanitize the air around it. This fig tree is effective at ridding the air of formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. The plant needs bright indirect natural light and consistent watering to keep going on.
You may want to read more: What Is A Radon Mitigation System? – A Good Idea To Improve Indoor Air Quality
Final Words
You do not need to buy an expensive hardware cleaner to make the climate in your home or office healthier. Many common household plants and flowers successfully get this job done. Along with benefiting the human condition, indoor plants bring natural beauty to the ambiance, delight the eye, and boost mood.
