What green plants are suitable for indoors? Top ten potted plants for purifying the air!
The presence of green plants is pleasing to the eye. Those with a garden can arrange a garden, and those without a garden can arrange a balcony, but what plants are most suitable for indoors? Scientists believe that green plants are not just for looks; they can also help us reduce stress and anxiety, and help remove pollutants from the air. In their view, placing some green plants on a bedside table can promote our sleep and health. The British Daily Mail selected the top ten potted plants recommended by NASA scientists as most suitable for indoor placement.
1. Ivy (Hedera helix): removes mold. Ivy can grow freely around many houses and stays green all year round, and it is also often used for landscaping in various parts of southern China. In fact, this seemingly “casual” plant is a perfect choice for bedroom greenery.
Researchers at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found that ivy has the effect of removing mold, and within just 12 hours it can remove 78% of mold from the air.
2. Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina): removes carpet pollutants. Weeping fig is an evergreen tree tolerant of heat, cold, and moisture, and it is not very strict about light requirements. Weeping fig is also one of the best choices for indoor plants, as it can effectively remove pollutants from carpets and furniture, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
3. Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens): an air humidifier. The areca palm is a small palm plant native to Madagascar, and it is now also cultivated in southern China. The areca palm outperforms other green plants in the efficiency of “removing” pollutants, effectively removing volatile harmful substances from the air such as benzene (found in detergents and plastics) and formaldehyde (found in furniture varnish and floor paint).
Researchers say that for people prone to colds and sinusitis, the areca palm is a good choice. Because it can release moisture into the air, if one areca palm is placed in a bedroom, the indoor humidity can be maintained at 40% to 60%, comparable to an air humidifier. This can make people breathe more smoothly, thereby helping them fall asleep faster.
4. Lily of the valley shrub (Rohdea japonica): clears heat and detoxifies. As an indoor green plant, Rohdea japonica is a simple and elegant “basic model,” and the places where it appears are also inclusive: whether in a low-light corner or in a dark room where other plants are unwilling to stay for long, it can grow happily and healthily. The best part is that Rohdea japonica has medicinal value; the whole plant has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, dispersing blood stasis, and relieving pain.
5. Dwarf date palm (Phoenix roebelenii): removes xylene. This plant is cold-tolerant, drought-tolerant, and long-lived. It is very “talented” at removing pollutants from indoor air, especially xylene (found in paint thinners, cleaning agents, etc.).
6. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum): removes toxic substances. The spider plant has strong adaptability, grows very quickly, and has the effect of purifying the air. After being placed for just two days, it can remove 90% of the toxic substances in bedroom air. It is especially recommended for people with dust allergies.
7. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum): can absorb mold spores. The peace lily, also called Spathiphyllum, has very large and broad leaves. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with very elegant flowers and strong vitality. This beautiful plant can purify the air; with it, air quality can be improved by 60%. The peace lily can also absorb mold spores through its leaves and, through recycling at its roots, use the spores as food.
8. Broadleaf lady palm (Rhapis excelsa): purifies nitrogen and toluene. The broadleaf lady palm is mainly distributed in Southeast Asia, and it is also distributed from southern to southwestern China. It is also one of the most effective plants for purifying formaldehyde, nitrogen, xylene, and toluene in the air.
9. Aloe (Aloe vera): can produce oxygen at night. People who enjoy beauty care are certainly familiar with aloe. In addition to being used for food, medicine, and beauty care, aloe will also properly fulfill its “duty”——as an ornamental potted plant, aloe can blend perfectly into any corner of the home, displaying its unique beauty. In addition, aloe was selected by NASA as one of the best air-purifying plants, and it can continuously release oxygen at night, making it an ideal bedroom “decoration.” It can also effectively resist benzene and formaldehyde, keeping the air environment pure.
10. Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata): removes formaldehyde. The Boston fern is a perennial evergreen fern herbaceous plant native to tropical and subtropical regions, and it is also distributed in Taiwan, China. The Boston fern has a beautiful plant shape and bright leaf color, and it has appeared in various Western indoor landscapes since the Victorian era. On NASA's list of 50 air-purifying plants, the Boston fern ranks ninth, and it is especially good at removing formaldehyde. (Xiaoxiang)