Houseplants are wonders of nature that will munch up everyday pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, ammonia, trichloroethylene, and toluene, which we bring into the home and office everyday in products such as laundry detergents, general-purpose cleaners, air fresheners, and personal hygiene products.
A selection of indoor plants which have been demonstrated to absorb toxins from the air and pull them down through the roots into the soil include:
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
- Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)
- Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum)
- Mother in-laws Tongue (Dracaena trifasciata)
- Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
- Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
- Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
- Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
- Flamingo Lily (Anthurium andraeanum)
Once captured from the atmosphere the toxins are then neutralized by the microbes in the soil. The leaves of the plant are then able to oxygenate the room via respiration, and we breathe in all that lovely oxygen that they have produced – working in harmony together.
Tip: Whilst in pursuit of an natural air cleaner, just be sure to avoid picking up one which is likely to trigger an allergic reaction.