10 Best Air Purifier Plants You Need In Your home
Air purifiers are designed to remove pollutants, allergens, dust, and other harmful particles from the air. It typically uses filters, such as HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, or technologies like ionizers or UV light to capture or neutralize contaminants, improving indoor air quality and reducing the risk of respiratory issues. Air purifiers are commonly used in homes, offices, and other indoor spaces to create a healthier environment.
BotanAir provides you a natural and economic way to purify your indoor air by incorporating air-purifying plants like snake plants, spider plants, and peace lilies and many more which absorb toxins and release oxygen. Ventilating spaces and using essential oils like eucalyptus can also help improve air quality.
The following are the list of Indoor plants that will purify your air naturally.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum):
The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a popular indoor plant known for its air-purifying properties. It effectively removes harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and xylene from the air. The plant absorbs these toxins through its leaves and roots, improving indoor air quality.
Additionally, spider plants produce oxygen, and studies suggest that one mature spider plant can provide enough oxygen for one person (also depends on health of plant). Due to its easy maintenance and ability to thrive in low light, it’s an excellent natural air purifier for homes and offices.
Golden Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum):
Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum), also known as devil’s ivy, is a hardy indoor plant known for its ability to purify air. It removes harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and xylene, which are commonly found in indoor environments due to paints, furniture, and cleaning agents. Golden pothos purifies air by absorbing these toxins through its leaves. General indoor plant studies, such as NASA’s Clean Air Study, confirm its effectiveness at improving air quality. One mature golden pothos can improve oxygen levels but typically works best in combination with other plants such as Spider plant, peace lilly, Snake Plant, Aloe Vera sufficiently benefit a person.
Purple Waffle (Hemisgraphis Alternata):
The Purple Waffle plant is an attractive indoor plant known for its textured, purple-green leaves and its ability to purify air. According to research conducted by the University of Georgia, the Purple Waffle plant is effective at removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene, toluene, and octane. which are commonly found in household items such as paints, cleaning agents, and furniture.
The plant absorbs these harmful chemicals through its leaves and metabolizes them, helping improve indoor air quality. Although there is no specific study detailing the exact oxygen production or percentage for one person, plants in general improve oxygen levels, particularly in combination with other air-purifying plants. Like other hardy plants, the Purple Waffle is most effective when used as part of a diverse collection of indoor plants to optimize air purification for human health.
Lady Palm (Rhapis Excelsa):
The Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) is a popular indoor plant known for its air-purifying qualities. It effectively removes pollutants such as formaldehyde, ammonia, xylene, and toluene from the air. The plant absorbs these toxins through its leaves, making it an excellent choice for improving indoor air quality. According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Lady Palms can reduce indoor air pollution by up to 50%, making them a valuable addition to any indoor space.
Peace Lilly (Spathiphylum):
The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is a popular indoor plant known for its elegant white blooms and air-purifying qualities. It effectively removes harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and ammonia from the air, improving indoor air quality. The plant absorbs these toxins through its leaves and roots, metabolizing them for growth. While specific oxygen production data for peace lilies is limited, studies suggest that a mature peace lily can improve air quality significantly, but it typically takes multiple plants to adequately provide oxygen for one person. As a general estimate, having about two to three peace lilies per person can help enhance oxygen levels and contribute to a healthier indoor environment.
Snake Plant (Dracaena Trifasciata):
The snake plant also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is a popular indoor plant known for its air-purifying properties. It effectively removes harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and toluene from the air. Interestingly, snake plants are unique in that they perform photosynthesis at night, converting carbon dioxide into oxygen, which can benefit indoor air quality during sleeping hours. While specific studies on the exact oxygen output of snake plants for individuals are limited, it is estimated that a mature snake plant can produce enough oxygen to benefit one person in a well-ventilated space. According to a study by NASA, houseplants can produce approximately 5–10 liters of oxygen per day under optimal conditions, but exact percentages can vary based on factors like light and plant health.
Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis Miller):
Aloe Vera is a succulent plant known for its medicinal properties and air-purifying capabilities. It helps improve indoor air quality by removing formaldehyde and benzene, which are commonly found in household products and building materials. Aloe Vera absorbs these toxins through its leaves, contributing to a healthier indoor environment. According to NASA’s Clean Air Study, having a variety of air-purifying plants, including aloe vera, is recommended to create a balanced indoor atmosphere.
Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii):
The bamboo palm also known as the reed palm, is a popular indoor plant known for its air-purifying properties and attractive appearance. It helps improve indoor air quality by removing harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene, which are often found in indoor environments due to materials like furniture and paints. it is recommended to have multiple plants to effectively meet the oxygen needs of one person, as a combination of different air-purifying plants, including bamboo palm, works best for enhancing indoor air quality.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis Exaltata):
The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a lush, feathery indoor plant known for its excellent air-purifying abilities. It effectively removes toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air. According to a NASA study, Boston ferns can remove up to 86% of formaldehyde from the air within 24 hours. It is generally estimated that a few Boston ferns can contribute to improved oxygen levels in indoor spaces, supporting the needs of one person.
Boston ferns typically have a lifespan of 5 to 10 years with proper care. They thrive in indirect sunlight and high humidity, requiring regular watering to keep the soil moist but not soggy. To maintain their health, misting the leaves and using a humidity tray can help, along with occasional fertilization during the growing season.
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica):
The rubber plant is a popular indoor plant known for its glossy leaves and air-purifying capabilities. It effectively removes harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air. According to the NASA Clean Air Study, rubber plants can remove approximately 30% of formaldehyde from indoor air within 24 hours. It contributes to increased oxygen levels in the environment.
Rubber plants typically have a lifespan of 10 to 25 years with proper care. They thrive in bright, indirect light and prefer well-draining soil, with watering required only when the top inch of soil is dry. Regular cleaning of the leaves and occasional fertilization during the growing season will help maintain their health and promote growth.
Here are some golden rules for watering your plants. Keep these on hand when watering:
- Always water after repotting.
- Plants in large pots dry out more slowly than plants in smaller pots.
- Plants in bright daylight dry out more quickly than plants in low light.
- Humid air keeps soil moist for longer than dry air.
What Does Water Do?
Water provides structural support, cools your plant down, and moves minerals to all the right places.
Plant cells are like water balloons. When they are filled, they become stiff and your plant stands upright. When there is a lack of water, the cells deflate and the plant looks wilted — a clear sign your plant needs more water. Plants produce cellulose that help keep its shape, but it’s water pressure (water flowing through your plant) that helps plants gain and retain their shape better than cellulose alone.
When you water your plant, an invisible process called transpiration takes place where the sun evaporates water from the leaves through stomatal pores, causing water loss in the leaf. That’s great, because water will go where it’s needed most. Ideally, the water is pulled up from the roots, but if roots are dry, water is taken from the leaves themselves, which can result in a deflated plant — an indication your plant is thirsty.
Keep in mind your soil is like a sponge. Most houseplants like a porous soil, allowing room for water and air pockets. If your soil is moist to begin with, hold off on watering for now. If you notice water pours out through the drainage holes immediately, your soil is actually bone dry and the soil is repelling water, rather than soaking it in. Avoid pouring water onto bone dry soil. Water will only move through and around the edges of your planter and will not be absorbed by the roots. Your plant should absorb water slowly through its roots so, before you water again, you’ll want to check how dry the soil is. Use your fingers and feel if the soil is wet at least 2 inches below the surface. If so, you can add water. If your soil is wet at the surface, you can hold off.