8 houseplants that purify

Houseplants look good and they’re great for your health, too. We’ve discovered eight easy-to-care-for plants that will help remove unwanted chemicals from the air in your home.

What does every indoor environment have in common, from the International Space Station to your very own home? According to NASA, the answer is probably poor indoor air quality, as inadequate ventilation allows pollutants and irritants like dust, mould, pollen and common household chemicals to build up to potentially harmful levels. Fortunately, scientists have discovered a not-so-space-age solution: houseplants. By simply bringing the outdoors in you can help make your home a healthier place.

Health benefits

If anyone in your household suffers from hayfever, asthma, allergies or another respiratory condition, then having houseplants may be able to reduce symptoms and help them breathe easier. Placing a plant by the bed could also be an easy way to improve sleep, and adding greenery to your desk can help increase productivity. Unclean air can also result other symptoms such as headaches and nausea, as well.

Purifying plants

By adding an easy-care plant to every room, you’ll keep your indoor air beautiful and fresh. Choose a recognised air-purifying champion in order to get the best results. Pot Chrysanthemums and Peace Lilies are some of the best air-purifying plants around, as they work hard to make your home healthier, not just by producing fresh oxygen and lowering carbon dioxide levels, but the plants themselves (as well as the microorganisms in the soil), help remove the five most common household chemicals, such as Benzene, Formaldehyde, Trichloroethylene, Ammonia, Xylene and Toluene, from indoor air. Other great air-purifying plants readily available from your local florist or nursery include the Boston Fern, Gerbra Daisy, English Ivy, Snake Plant, Madagascar Dragon Tree and Spider Plant, so pick your favourites and get growing so your and your family can reap the rewards.