Best Air-Purifying Plants in 2021

Decorating your house with plants is the new trend. A quick scroll through social media will reveal that almost all the current house decor ideas have plants incorporated into them one way or the other. All these plants are not used because they look good. They also help purify the air. Besides, it’s always a good idea to bring the outdoors inside, especially when it benefits your health.  

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the new research suggests that homes “can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialised cities.” This suggests that more people should have plants inside their homes.  

Causes of Indoor Pollution

A study titled “Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement” conducted by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) found that plants were able to filter toxic pollutants. The table below shows the pollutants and their sources: 

Best Air-Purifying Plants in 2021

Plants are essential to remove the toxic elements from the air, create an inspiring environment, aid in improving mental health and serve as natural humidifiers. Graana.com brings you the best air-purifying plants in 2021: 

 

Spider Plant

 

Spider plants are one of the easiest houseplants to take care of. They can survive with minimum attention. They get their name because of their web-shaped leaves that dangle downwards. Along with their looks, they also purify the air. According to NASA’s study, spider plants are 95% effective in removing toxins from air in 24 hours. In one experiment, snake plants were kept in hospitals. It was found that the presence of plants had a positive impact on the recovery of patients with recorded lower systolic blood pressure and lower levels of fatigue. It is also a pet friendly plant. 

Spider plants removes pollutants including:

• formaldehyde
• xylene
• carbon monoxide
• benzene
• Styrene
• toluene

 

Snake Plant

Snake plant is a plant that thrives on neglect. It is also called Mother-in-law’s tongue largely because of the sharpness of their leaves. It is one of the easiest plants to grow and take care of and are valuable additions to any garden. They can thrive in varying light conditions including low light. They are also drought resistant so require infrequent watering. Snake plants are known to absorb nitrogen oxide – an agricultural byproduct – that contributes 6% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. 

Snake plants removes pollutants including:

• trichloroethylene
• xylene
• benzene
• formaldehyde

 

Rubber Tree

If you want a plant that reaches a staggering height, a rubber plant is your best option. It grows vertically and acts as a great accessory for your home. If you want to grow them even taller, prune them frequently and plant them in a medium to large sized pot. However, if you want to restrict its growth, it is ideal to grow them in a small pot. Moreover, the shiny leaves are a showstopper that look beautiful and act as a great accent feature. The best part about this plant is that it provides great amounts of oxygen and actively helps remove toxins from the air. According to a study, rubber plants can remove mold spores and bacteria, jumping their effectiveness by 60 percent.  Experts also suggest that their leaves are wiped every few days with a moist cloth to open their pores for maximum absorption of toxins. 

Rubber plant removes pollutants including:

• formaldehyde

 

Bamboo

Bamboo plants look stylish and can spice up any living space. It is a great way to bring the tropical feel into your home. The plant has the tendency to grow taller – between four to twelve feet. This plant enjoys humidity so it will thrive better in a bathroom. Other than their decorative purposes, bamboo plants are great air-purifiers. They remove toxins like ammonia and formaldehyde and also act as natural humidifiers. Certain myths say that having bamboo plants in your home will bring good luck – so it is a win-win situation in all regards. 

Bamboo removes pollutants including:

• ammonia
• formaldehyde
• xylene
• toluene

 

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is such an all-rounder plant that not only helps purify the air but also has various medicinal properties. It is also great for the care of skin and hair. A mixture of Aloe Vera with hair oil helps retain moisture while the aloe gel on skin is good for removing dirt and improving overall skin appearance. Not only this, Aloe Vera gel also aids in treating burns and scrapes due to its cooling properties. A 2010 study reveals that consumption of  Aloe Vera gel can help  reduce digestive issues such as Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).  

This versatile plant emits oxygen at night while absorbing toxic pollutants such as formaldehyde which is commonly found in cleaning and personal care products. 

Aloe Vera removes pollutants including:

• benzene
• formaldehyde
• carbon monoxide