8 Best Household Plants that clean air

HOUSEHOLD PLANTS THAT CLEAN AIR

Household plants help to make the air cleaner and fresher inside the home. Following are the key points that explain how they contribute to make the environment healthy.

REMOVE TOXIC CHEMICALS FROM THE AIR: Many everyday items at home, like furniture and cleaning products, can release harmful chemicals into the air. For example:
Formaldehyde: Found in items like pressed wood, carpets, and some cleaners.
Benzene: Found in paints, plastics, and detergents.
Trichloroethylene: Found in glues and paints.
Xylene: Found in paints, varnishes, and certain cleaning products.

PLANTS BOOST OXIDATION LEVEL: Plants take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen through photosynthesis. This makes the air fresher and easier to breathe.

EXAMPLE: A cool example is Snake Plants—they’re special because they release oxygen even at night, while most plants only do it during the day.

PLANTS ADD MOUSTER TO AIR: Some plants, like the Areca Palm and Boston fern, release water into the air through a process called transpiration. This helps make the air less dry, which is great for people with dry skin, breathing problems, or allergies—especially if the air is dry during winter or in certain climates.

PLANTS REDUCE ALLERGENS: Plants like English Ivy are great at cleaning the air. They can remove things like mold spores, dust, and pet dander from the air—stuff that can cause allergies. This makes the air healthier to breathe and helps people with allergies feel better.

PLANTS BOOST MENTAL HEALTH: Having plants at home helps reduce stress and makes feel happier. Taking care of them and seeing their soothing green leaves can have a positive effect on mind. Studies show that plants can help to stay productive and feel less tired, which is great for both homes and offices.

PLANTS ADD BEAUTY TO THE SPACE: While their main job is cleaning the air, many plants also make home or office look pretty. They bring natural beauty and a peaceful vibe, making the space feel calm and refreshing. Having plants around connects us to nature, creating a soothing environment.

Following are the some household plants which have ability to clean the air by filtering out toxins and increase oxygen levels.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum):

What It Does: This plant cleans the air by removing harmful stuff like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, xylene, and even acetone. It’s a great air purifier!
Why it’s great: It’s super easy to take care of and grows well in different light conditions. That makes it a perfect choice for both homes and offices. Plus, it releases oxygen during the day, keeping the air fresh and healthy.

The Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata):

What It Does: This is a great indoor plant. It helps clean the air by removing common toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene.
Why it’s great: What makes it special is that it keeps releasing oxygen at night, unlike most plants that only do this during the day.It’s also very easy to take care of. Snake plants can grow in low light and don’t need much water, so they’re perfect for people who might not have experience with plants or time for regular care.

The Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum):

What it does: It is a great plant for improving indoor air quality. It cleans the air by removing harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and ammonia. Plus, it helps reduce mold spores in the air, which can be helpful for people with allergies.
Why it’s great: This plant also looks nice because of its pretty white flowers, which can make your room more beautiful. On top of that, it adds moisture to the air, which is good for your skin and helps you breathe better. It’s a useful and lovely plant to have around!

Aloe Vera:

What it does: Aloe vera is a well-known plant for its healing benefits, but it also cleans the air by removing formaldehyde. This makes it a good choice for kitchens because it can absorb harmful chemicals from cooking and cleaning.
Why it’s great: Its gel is great for calming burns and skin irritations. Aloe Vera doesn’t need much care—it grows well in sunny spots and is easy to keep alive. It’s a useful plant to have at home!

The Areca Palm(Dypsis lutescens):

What it does: It is a natural humidifier that improves air quality indoors. It helps clean the air by removing harmful chemicals like xylene, toluene, and formaldehyde, which are common indoor pollutants.
Why it’s great: This plant also looks great with its feathery, green leaves that give a tropical vibe to your room. Plus, it adds moisture to the air, which can help with dry skin and breathing problems. It’s a useful and beautiful plant to have at home!

English Ivy (Hedera helix):

What it does: This is really good at cleaning the air. It removes harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene. It can also cut down on mold and tiny particles in the air, which helps people who have allergies or breathing problems.
Why it’s great: This plant grows by climbing and spreading, so it’s great for hanging baskets or growing on trellises. It works well in places with high humidity, like bathrooms, and is a natural air filter. It’s both useful and nice to look at!

The Rubber Plant (Ficus elastic):

What it does: It is great for cleaning indoor air. It removes formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals that can build up inside your home.
Why it’s great: This plant looks amazing with its big, shiny leaves, and it can grow tall, making your room look more elegant. Rubber plants are also easy to care for—they just need a little sunlight and only need to be watered once in a while. It’s a perfect choice for both its looks and its benefits!

Boston Ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata):

What it does: It are great for cleaning the air. They remove harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene. They also work as natural humidifiers, keeping the air moist and preventing dryness.
Why it’s great: These plants grow well in places with higher humidity, like bathrooms or kitchens. Their lush, feathery green leaves make your home look fresh and lively. But they need a bit more care—you’ll have to keep the air humid and their soil moist to help them stay healthy.

GENERAL BENEFITS OF AIR-PURIFYING PLANTS:

Reduce indoor pollution: Indoor air often has harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from furniture, carpets, and cleaning products. Air-purifying plants help clean these chemicals and make the air safer to breathe.
Improve humidity: Plants like peace lilies and areca palms release moisture into the air. This keeps the air less dry, helping to prevent dry skin, sore throats, and breathing problems.
Increase oxygen levels: Some plants, like the snake plant, absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, even at night. This makes the air fresher and easier to breathe.
Boost mood and focus: Studies show that having plants around can lower stress, help you concentrate better, and improve your overall mental health.

Air-purifying plants are not just good for the environment but also great for our well-being!