AIR PURIFYING PLANTS: INDOOR PLANTS THAT CLEAN AIR AND REMOVE TOXINS
It’s true that the toxic level in the air has increased over the years and our atmosphere is likely to be polluted most of the time.
But we can purify our home or office attire by including some beautiful house plants which work as air purifiers giving us fresh air to breathe with less amount of air germs.
You can also check out these 9 houseplants for bedrooms that are good too.
Give your home a healthy breath of fresh air with the following air purifying house plants.
Tips to Pot Air Purifying or any Indoor plants
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Needless to say that you can use beautiful planters to pot indoor plants.
After the indoor planters, comes the choice of well-drained soil to initiate a healthy growth of indoor plants.
Here is a potting mix that should serve well for any kinda indoor plant.
If you need to fertilize the air purifying plants then an easy way is to use the food spikes.
These food spikes are for all indoor plants like spider plants, ferns, or pothos.
These food spikes are filled with micronutrients that the indoor plants need to keep growing vibrantly in-home or office.
1. PEACE LILY
Peace Lily has a major relation to air pollution.
Not only it is a calm-looking plant but genuinely radiants peace by nature.
The peace lily is one of the top indoor plants for cleaning the air.
Peace Lily grows in warm temperatures and has no need for direct sunlight. They can live well in partial shade.
In fact, if you see the leaves turning yellow then it means it is receiving more sunlight than required. The brown leaves indicate scorching from direct sunlight.
Water only when the soil is dry.
Though misting the leaves regularly with a spray bottle is recommended.
This is such a beautiful plant that it can make a statement in your home or office.
Fertilize once in six weeks with a 20-20-20 fertilizer.
TOXIC to pets. So, if you have pet cats and dogs. Then this air-purifying indoor plant is a no-no.
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2. BOSTON FERN
This is an evergreen plant that is impossible to kill.
Not only does it absorb harmful toxins but it also improves the humidity of the air.
So if you are suffering from dry skin or throat then it is best to plant this aesthetically beautiful Boston fern.
Boston ferns grow in indirect sunlight or in bright areas.
2 hours of indirect sunlight is preferable. Though it cannot tolerate any direct sunlight or total shade.
In hot weather, you need to water it daily. Boston fern does not like to dry out the soil.
This air-purifying plant likes moisture and humidity.
That means you need to water it at least thrice a week and mist it often (daily or on alternative days) to keep it humid.
Overwatering or clogged soil might lead to the browning of leaves.
3. BAMBOO PALM
Bamboo palm is very effective in cleaning carcinogenic chemicals and air pollutants.
Particles like formaldehyde are effectively removed by bamboo palms while kept indoors.
They do not need any direct sunlight and are happy with partial shade or filtered light.
If the leaves are turning yellow then it indicates that it is getting more sun exposure than required.
Bamboo palms like their soil to be moist. Mist the leaves every alternative day as they generally like humidity.
Soggy soil will rot the roots. So water thoroughly which is just enough to keep the soil moist.
A high nitrogen fertilizer annually is recommended for healthy growth.
4. ARECA PALM
This is a wonderful indoor plant that is so beautiful that it adds colors to the interiors.
Safe for pets and a powerhouse in removing toxins.
Areca palm requires natural light and can tolerate the sun (In-direct sunlight is the best). But better to grow in partial sunlight as with direct sunlight, the leaves may start turning yellow.
This air-purifying plant requires good drainage potting soil with potholes.
It does require almost daily watering but you should allow the topsoil to be dry between waterings.
SAFE to cats and dogs.
5. RUBBER PLANT
Rubber plants are easy to care for houseplants.
The leaves are shiny and vibrant.
They are a great air-cleansing plant that absorbs airborne chemicals and breaks them down, to harmless particles.
They also absorb exhaled carbon dioxide.
Rubber plants are great at removing toxins like formaldehyde.
This air plant that cleans the air and removes toxins requires bright light or filtered sunlight.
Rubber plants can tolerate morning sun but will not grow in complete shade.
Keep the plant in well-drained soil.
The soil requires moisture in the summer season, while in the winter season watering only thrice a month will do.
TOXIC to pets.
6. ALOE VERA
This is a very practical plant to keep.
From beauty treatment to hair loss to other medical benefits. Aloe Vera fits in everywhere.
Very easy to keep this plant.
Aloe vera leaves are full of vitamins and purify the air too.
Aloe vera can tolerate direct sunlight, but too much light can burn the leaves turning them brown.
If an aloe vera plant is overwatered then its leaves will become soft and soggy as if it is filled with gel.
But, soon the overwatered aloe vera leaves will turn into mush.
Aloe vera does best in temperatures between 13-27 degrees Celcius.
This air-purifying plant needs watering only once or twice a month.
Stomach upset if ingested by pets.
7. JADE PLANT
Jade plants are mostly kept in succulents.
The Jade plant is a decorative houseplant with a wooden stem and thick oval-shaped leaves.
Jade plants purify indoor air pollution.
Jade plant requires full sun for at least to 4-5 hours.
Though this plant looks cute on table shelves, you need to take care of the sunlight it receives.
During summer, water it once a week. Keep the soil moist and not wet.
While in the winter seasons, watering only once a month is fine.
Yellowing and very soft leaves indicate that we are overwatering the jade plant.
TOXIC to pets.
8. MONEY PLANT
I love this plant.
The heart-shaped beauty of its tendrils makes it so graceful for an indoor gardening effect.
Money plants or Devil’s Ivy removes toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene.
The money plant grows well in full sun or partial shade.
Peat moss-based soil with good drainage is good for the money plant to grow.
The soil should dry out between waterings.
An interesting fact is that a money plant can grow in water vases too.
Check here for 12 other indoor plants that grow in water vases beautifully.
SAFE for pets.
9. FLAMINGO LILY
This is a beautiful evergreen plant with gorgeous flowers.
This plant requires a good amount of sunlight but direct sunlight will burn its leaves, so it is best to keep it on any window sill.
Best for humid regions. This indoor plant prefers the soil to be moist (not wet).
Water once the soil is a bit dry.
Misting leaves is also a good idea.
Flamingo lily is very effective in removing airborne toxins like xylene, ammonia, and other toxins.
Just take care that no one including pets eats any part of the plant.
TOXIC to pets.
10. POTHOS
Golden pothos is a very common house plant.
I like pothos because of their vibrant green color and tendrils which gives a calm effect.
Grows well in varied light conditions. Though direct sunlight is not preferred.
Leaves will turn yellow if exposed to more sunlight than required.
Healthy growth is initiated if potted in nutrient-rich soil.
Allow the soil to dry out at least 2 inches before watering.
Pothos also grows well in water and hanging baskets.
Check out 7 indoor hanging plants for home decor.
Removes toxins like benzene, and formaldehyde.
TOXIC to pets.
11. SNAKE PLANT
Snake plants can be grown in small containers and are quite low-maintenance plants.
Removes toxins like xylene, and benzene, and keeps the air fresh.
Indirect sunlight is ideal for a snake plant. Though they can tolerate full sun to low light conditions as well.
The root of the snake plant can rot very easily, so make sure the soil is well-drained.
Watering only 2 times a month is enough when watered thoroughly.
Make sure the soil is dried out before watering next.
This is very easy to care for an indoor plant that cleanses the air.
12. WEEPING FIG
Like any air purifying plant, this weeping fig prefers bright but filtered light.
Leaf drop may start if it does not receive six hours of daily sunlight.
Alternatively, leaves may also burn out if it is receiving direct sunlight.
Choose a place with filtered light.
Choose well-drained soil and water when the soil is several inches dry.
Removes common air toxins.
TOXIC to cats and dogs.
13. SPIDER PLANT
Spider plants look almost like snake plants.
Spider plant grows well in semi-shady to partial direct sunlight.
The leaves will start scorching when you put them under direct sunlight.
Spider plants are very adaptable to light conditions so they will grow under good strong artificial lighting too.
This air-purifying plant prefers the soil to dry out between waterings.
Watering once a week is enough. Check if the soil is dry then you can water it next.
Overwatering is a reason for the tip leaves to turn brown.
You can also mist it occasionally.
SAFE for pets.
14. DRACAENA
Dracaena can grow really tall.
So, best to keep it alongside any furniture to enhance its beauty.
Do not put it under direct sunlight, and a semi-shade is preferred.
Dracaena is an indoor plant that you can comfortably place in a living room.
Removes trichloroethylene and other air toxins.
Mist the leaves and keep the soil moist. Do not overwater.
Watering once a week is fine.
TOXIC to pets.
15. CHINESE EVERGREEN
Chinese evergreens are another air-cleansing plant that will stay happily in low sunlight.
This is a very beautiful plant with rich green leaves that will go along with any color palette for home decor.
Putting it on the desktop or beside any furniture always brings aesthetic beauty.
Chinese evergreen also increases productivity and enhances concentration.
As an air-purifying plant, it eliminates carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde.
Keep it in warm and humid conditions.
It requires moist soil so you can water it regularly too.
TOXIC to pets.
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My take on air-purifying plants: Indoor plants that clean air and remove toxins
It is beautiful to keep indoor plants, especially air-cleansing plants. Not only does it improve the mood for better but also refreshes our mood in no time.
Beautiful air-purifying plants like areca palm or Chinese green can actually make your home and office space look brighter and healthier.
Never forget to put indoor plants in beautiful planters and pots.
Check the 49 indoor plants that you can grow easily without much fuss and 15 Stylish planters to go with any modern decor.
Related Air Purifying Plants Ideas:
- 10 Low Light Indoor Plants to keep
- 7 Indoor Hanging Plants
- 9 moisture-absorbent Bathroom Plants that keep the air toxic free
