10 plants that purify the air in your environment

The NASA Clean Air Study was led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in association with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA). Its results suggest that certain common indoor plants may provide a natural way of removing toxic agents such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air, helping neutralise the effects of toxic chemicals.

The plants below are effective at filtering out pollutants and toxic chemicals in the air in your home or office.

Snake Plant

The Snake Plant does its work at night. It sucks in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen during the night, helping people sleep better. Many choose to keep it in their bedroom or carpeted living room. It prevents the formaldehyde that leaks from carpets and wooden furniture from lingering in the air.

Azalea

If you use toxic detergents and cleaners in your home, this plant can help filter the air, especially in the kitchen.

English Ivy

This plant is useful in eliminating airborne faecal-matter particles. It is also great for a smokers environment. Its ability to soak up carcinogens from second-hand smoke helps to purify small areas.

Peace Lily

The perfect fit for any laundry or bathroom, the Peace Lily specialises in the removal of mold spores. The plant does not require large amounts of water or sunlight to survive. In addition to mold, the plant is also known to remove formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.

Warning: The Peace Lily is known to be extremely toxic to cats if they consume it.

Bamboo Palm

The Bamboo Palm is recognised as one of the best at filtering out benzene and trichloroethylene, both of which can regularly creep into living spaces. The bamboo palm is also great next to pieces of furniture that may be prone to off-gassing formaldehyde, another toxin it can naturally handle well.

Chinese Evergreen

What makes the Chinese Evergreen special is the development of its effectiveness. The more time the plant spends in a space, the more effective it becomes at removing the air pollutants and toxins in the area.

Aloe Vera

The Aloe Vera plant is incredibly easy to grow and maintain, and like many of its counterparts, it is wonderful for filtering out air pollutants and toxins.

Pelargonium or Geraniums

This beautiful flowering plant cleans the air, removes unwanted odours, kills bacteria and also helps to keep moths away.

Spider plant (Hen-en-Kuikens)

The Spider Plant requires natural light but shouldn’t be exposed directly to the sun. They sequester carbon monoxide so a kitchen is a great place for them. You can make more plants from this plant as it grows baby versions of itself.

Rubber Plant

This plant scores very highly in removing toxins and pollutants from homes. It is especially tough on formaldehyde.

Originally appeared on Southlands Sun.