The document discusses various houseplants that are effective for purifying indoor air by removing common pollutants. It recommends several plants as the most effective, such as bamboo palms, rubber plants, and Boston ferns. English ivy, dwarf date palms, and several flowering plants are also highlighted. The document notes that some plants like aloe vera and lavender have additional benefits. It cautions that some houseplants can be poisonous and recommends researching safety before bringing plants into a home with children or pets.

1. houseplants
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the best
for purifying indoor air

2. I’ve written before about why it’s important to keep the
air inside your home clean, and my favorite ways of
doing so, which include salt lamps and beeswax candles.
Common houseplants are also a great option.

3. Why does indoor air need purifying?
Isn’t it outside air that’s harboring all the toxins? Well, there
are plenty of toxins floating around outside thanks to
pesticides and herbicides, vehicle fumes, and other
industrial pollutants. Unfortunately, you’ll find a plethora of
toxins in the air inside your own home as well.

4. indoor air quality is affected by:
• cleaning products, especially laundry detergent and fabric
softener, as laundry chemicals are the top indoor
pollutant
• chemical flame retardants in furniture, mattresses, and
children’s PJs
• formaldehyde found in gas stoves, garbage bags, paper
towels and tissues, carpet backing, and some fabrics
• fragrances
• other toxins carried in on your clothes and shoes from
outdoors
• electromagnetic frequencies (from computers, WiFi, and
other electronics)
Houseplants are an effective, simple, and
inexpensive way to purify indoor air.

5. The most effective house plants

6. Bamboo Palm

7. • Bamboo palms are effective at removing chemical contaminants from the air like
formaldehyde and benzene.
• They also help to keep the air moist, which is especially helpful during winter
months when heaters can produce overly dry indoor air.
• Bamboo palms have a tropical appearance and, though green instead of the
typical tan bamboo color, have the characteristic tall, skinny canes and fanned
leaves.

8. Rubber Plant

9. • The rubber plant is especially effective for removing
formaldehyde from indoor air.
• It’s favored for its ease of growth, as well as its
appearance, which features large, rubbery leaves.
• The rubber plant can grow up to 8 feet tall in the
proper conditions.
• This large ficus (ficus robusta) is bred for toughness,
which means that it’s not only one of the most
effective plants for purifying indoor air, but it’s sure to
be hardy even in less than ideal conditions.

10. English Ivy

11. • English ivy is most often seen growing
as a covering in atriums and lobbies,
but it makes a lovely feature if grown as
a topiary.
• Like the rubber plant, English ivy is
known for its ability to remove
formaldehyde from the air.
• English ivy needs lots of light to look its
best, but does well when the
temperature doesn’t get too hot.
• It is, however, very adaptable to its
environment, as it will climb and spread
over any surface given the chance.

12. Boston Fern

13. • The Boston fern is known for being the best
plant for removing indoor air pollutants, and
for adding humidity to indoor air.
• While it is a champ at keeping indoor air
clean, the Boston fern is somewhat finicky
and requires an attentive caretaker.
• Without frequent watering and misting, the
leaves will quickly turn brown and fall off.

14. Dwarf Date Palm

15. • If you’re into tropical plants, the dwarf date palm is for
you. It’s like an adorable mini palm tree that fits in
your living room.
• The dwarf date palm is one of the most effective
palms for removing indoor air pollution, especially
xylene, which is found in solvents and paint thinner.
It’s also quite good at keeping the air moist and is
fairly easy to grow.

16. The most Beautiful
house plants

17. Tulips

18. • Tulips come in a variety of colors,
and also do a pretty good job of
keeping the air clean
• They’ve been shown to be
effective at eliminating
formaldehyde, xylene, and
ammonia from the air.

19. Azaleas

20. • The dwarf azalea has been bred to remain indoors and bloom seasonally, and boasts big, pretty blooms.
• You can purchase it nearly any time of year, and with some care, it can bloom over and over.
• Of course, you’ll want to keep it blooming because it’s efficient at cleaning the air too.

21. Orchids

22. • All varieties of orchids are quite pretty, but the
level to which they filter the air varies.
• For instance, the dendrobium orchid features
plain white blooms and removes alcohols,
acetone, formaldehyde, and chloroform from
the air.
• On the other hand, the more vibrant moth
orchid, which features colorful blooms,
including the well-known bright pink centered
ones, is not as effective at purifying the air.

23. Wax Begonia

24. • Begonias are a beautiful plant that are available in a number of vibrant
colors, which can bloom year round given the right conditions.
• They also help to remove chemical vapors from the air.

25. Peacock Plant

26. • With gorgeous purple and green hues, it’s easy to
see where the peacock plant got its name.
• They can provide some help with keeping your air
clean but are fairly finicky, requiring a lot of care and
attention to growing conditions.

27. The most useful
house plants

28. Aloe Vera

29. • Aloe vera is well known for its
ability to soothe burned skin.
• Keeping it around allows you to
use the fresh gel at a moment’s
notice for scrapes and burns.
• Aloe vera isn’t one of the best
houseplants to purify indoor air,
but it does have the unique ability
to release oxygen and absorb
carbon dioxide at night, making it
a good choice for keeping in a
bedroom.

30. Lavender

31. • Lavender, with its earthy, sweet
smell, has a soothing, calming effect.
• You can use it to make tea, tinctures,
and even soaps and lotions.
• It’s also helpful for purifying the air
by lowering carbon dioxide levels
and cleansing bad smells.

32. Rosemary

33. • Rosemary is both a culinary
powerhouse as well as an
air-purifying plant.
• Its antimicrobial properties
make it a good choice for
cleaning the air.

34. The hardiest
house plants

35. Palms

36. • Palms come in lots of varieties,
including the bamboo palm, which
we mentioned above.
• They are both easy to grow and
maintain, as well as resistant to
pests.

37. Syngonium

38. • An interesting-looking plant with
large leaves, the syngonium is a
pretty easy plant to grow.
• It is moderately effective at
purifying the air and will be fairly
forgiving to forgetfulness.

39. Philodendrons

40. • A cousin to the syngonium,
philodendrons are one of the
best houseplants for purifying
indoor air, plus they are rather
hardy, requiring little upkeep.

41. Snake Plant

42. • Snake plants have striking
tall, pointy leaves, which
would explain the name.
• There are many species, and
while they’re not known as
one of the best houseplants
for purifying indoor air, like
aloe vera, they cleanse the air
at night by producing oxygen
and removing carbon dioxide.
• Better yet, they’re easy to
grow and resist pest
infestation well.

43. Important houseplant caution
• Some houseplants can be poisonous to children and
pets.
• The above houseplants are the most effective at
cleaning indoor air, but not all of them are safe for
children and pets.
• Make sure to research and check out any plant for
safety before bringing it into your home.
• Personally, I have quite a few houseplants but keep
them where I know pets and children won’t try to eat
them.
• Here is a partial list of plants to avoid if you have pets
or children who are prone to eat them.

44. TO see my top three
indoor house plants,
Click here.

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