Grow These 13 Plants Indoors to Effectively Improve Your Home's Air Quality

Air pollution is getting worse by the day, and indoor air suffers along with it. Renovation materials, chemical cleaners and more also release harmful substances into the air. Why not place the following 13 plants in your home to improve indoor air.

Air-Purifying Benefits of Various Plants

1. English ivy:

Research has found that English ivy can effectively purify benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and mold from the air. It has low light requirements and can be placed in a newly renovated house or a room with a north-facing (shady) aspect. Note, however, that its leaves are toxic, so it should be kept out of reach of children.

2. Peace lily:

The peace lily is known as an "exhaust gas filter" and is effective against ammonia, acetone, trichloroethylene, benzene and formaldehyde. Its leaves are broad, so dust them regularly so it can purify the air more effectively. Be careful, though: the peace lily is also toxic.

3. Areca palm:

This is a palm-family plant that likes warmth and humidity. It can effectively remove volatile harmful substances such as benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde, making it suitable beside wardrobes and sofas. The areca palm also releases water vapor, helping keep indoor humidity at 40%-60%.

4. Chrysanthemum:

Chrysanthemums need to be kept outdoors before they bloom in order to flower, but once they bloom, moving them indoors can extend the flowering period. Chrysanthemums are good at removing toxic substances released by adhesives, paints, cleaning agents and plastics, and they also have some resistance to toxic gases such as sulfur dioxide and chlorine.

5. Snake plant:

It can remove toxic substances given off by chemical products and is cold- and shade-tolerant, making it well suited to a room with a north-facing (shady) aspect.

6. Spider plant:

The spider plant is the "king of formaldehyde removal" among plants, and it can also absorb carbon monoxide, nitrogen peroxide, benzene and the nicotine in cigarette smoke. Note, however, that its root system is well developed, so repot it regularly to prevent the roots from packing together and causing yellowed leaves, wilting and the like.

7. Aloe:

Its leaf gel can be used medicinally and has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing beauty benefits. It can also purify harmful gases such as formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide from the air, increase the concentration of negative ions in the air, inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms in the air, and absorb dust.

One reminder: aloe is drought-tolerant and hates waterlogging, so when watering, pour gently around the edge of the pot and just keep the soil moist.

8. Golden pothos：

It is good at filtering out formaldehyde and can break down the benzene emitted by copiers, printers and the like, making it an excellent air purifier for the office. Whether grown in soil or in water, golden pothos grows and propagates very easily. It is a strong climber, so it is suitable for placing on cabinets or windowsills.

9. Lucky bamboo:

Lucky bamboo belongs to the genus Dracaena, and plants of this type are good at removing the chemicals released by paint in the air. It likes shade and humidity, so in summer avoid placing it in direct sunlight or in windy spots.

10. Weeping fig:

It is an evergreen plant that can effectively remove pollutants released by furniture and carpets, and it can withstand toxic gases and air pollution that ordinary plants cannot tolerate. But remember to dust its leaves regularly.

11. Golden pothos (Scindapsus):

It has the ability to adsorb nicotine, and it takes in various toxic gases (such as SO2, SO3, NO, etc.) as nutrients. It purifies the air and helps control indoor humidity. It is a popular indoor foliage plant in recent years, and placing it indoors gives a generous, elegant tropical rainforest atmosphere.

12. Dracaena fragrans:

Also known as the Brazilian iron plant. It likes a growing environment of high temperature, high humidity and half-day shade, and has low sunlight requirements, making it especially suitable for indoor display and cultivation. It greens up the environment while also removing many kinds of harmful substances from the air.

13. Giant taro:

It has the effect of removing dust from the air and purifying it, but the white sap in its stem is toxic, and the water that drips from it is also toxic, so avoid touching or ingesting it by mistake.