Using Plants for a Healthy Home

Sometimes, we are all so focused on making our homes safe and secure, we tend to forget other things such as keeping our abode a healthy place for our family. As Louie Santaguida, an entrepreneur and visionary said, “a healthy community is about respect for life, in all its forms.”

The most important, yet often neglected element that you should focus on is the quality of the air in your home. You don’t need to have an air purifier to improve the air quality in your home. You can use indoor plants instead.

According to NASA, these plants have the capability and their unique way of naturally cleansing the air in our surroundings. They remove air toxins which can have negative effects on our health, especially after prolonged exposure. Read on to find out which plants can improve your home’s indoor air quality.

Weeping Fig of Ficus Tree (Ficus Benjamina)

This plant is effective in cleansing airborne formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. However, if you have pets, please take extra precautions as this plant is poisonous to animals.

Barberton Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

This is a beautiful flowering plant which is effective in removing formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Also called European Ivy, this plant cleanses the air from benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. Not only that, but they also help reduce mold which can also be harmful to your family's health.

Flamingo Lily (Anthurium andraeanum)

This plant is known for its gorgeous flowers, but they are also effective at removing airborne formaldehyde, ammonia, toluene, and xylene. However, please note that this plant is poisonous to both humans and animals so extreme caution must be taken.

Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)

NASA considers the Lady Palm as one of the best at cleansing the air of formaldehyde, ammonia, xylene, and toluene. They can tolerate low light so they can be placed even in dark corners of your home.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Also referred to as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, this is another houseplant which is great in absorbing airborne toxins such as formaldehyde, nitrogen oxide, benzene, xylene, and trichloroethylene. However, they may be toxic to animals so take extra caution if you have pets at home.

Red-edged Dracaena (Dracaena reflexa)

This plant is very efficient in eliminating formaldehyde, as well as benzene, trichloroethylene, and xylene in the air. However, keep your pets away because it can be toxic to animals when ingested.

Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)

This is a nice decorative plant because of their heart-shaped leaves with yellowish-white hues, but they are also very efficient in cleansing the air of pollutants such as benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, and formaldehyde. However, they can also be toxic to animals when ingested.

Florist’s Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

This flowering plant helps cleanse indoor air from formaldehyde, xylene, ammonia, benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene. They may be beautiful and efficient, but they are also poisonous to animals.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

This plant is the most efficient in removing airborne Volatile Organic Compounds, including formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene. However, it is mildly toxic to both humans and pets.

Most of these plants can cleanse the air from the same toxins so you can just choose one or two. They can serve as a purifier and decorative pieces as well. Just take note of those which are poisonous and can be toxic both to humans and animals as you would not want to put your family in harm’s way.