Health and houseplants do not often go hand-in-hand or fit into the same frame of comparison. However, over the recent few years’ researchers have found that houseplants play a significant role in purifying the air and supplying a boost of oxygen in the environment that they are kept in. For apartments and other forms of vertical living, this is a significant benefit as they can have fresh, dewy interiors without having to spend a fortune. On top of that, houseplants add a perfect pop of color to the décor as well.
Some of the top air-purifying plants out there:
- English ivy: these are understated crawlers that can be hung from ceilings in pots or allowed to sprawl all over the balcony railings.
- Bamboo palms: also, popularly known as reed palms, these make great additions to a shady corner of the room and help to remove toxins from the air such as benzene and formaldehyde.
- Chinese Evergreen: this is easy to care for the plant, and it prefers low levels of sunlight. This grows to up to 2 feet in height and can contain toxins that might be harmful to pets and toddlers.
- Gerbera Daisy: If you are looking for a pop of color along with functionality, then this is the plant for you. It is important to keep in mind that these plants do the best under warm climatic conditions.
- Dragon Tree: this plant can tolerate low light and its foliage ranges in color from green to purple. It can survive with very low levels of light.
- Mother-in-law’s Tongue: despite its fancy name, this is a hardy succulent that barely needs any watering. They can survive in both hot and cold climates.
- Pot Mum: pot mum is another one of those air purifying indoor plants for oxygen as it helps to lower benzene levels indoors.
- Peace Lily: These flowering shrubs look beautiful and help in removing toxic gases like carbon monoxide from the surroundings. These require a certain amount of care as they tend to droop often. They are also mildly toxic if handled with bare hands.
- Spider plant: one of the most common air-purifying plants in this list, spider plants can grow anywhere that you place them in. these thrive in corners that are bright and airy.
- Mass cane: this is the most popular version of Dracaenas, and its color varies from light green to a bright yellow. These can grow either in a shrub form or a tree.
- Rubber Tree: one of the lesser-known air-purifying plants on this list, rubber plants have large, dark glossy leaves that take carbon dioxide and break it down into oxygen.
- Lemon button ferns: these are closely related to Boston fern and are great alternatives to many indoor plants. They do require ample shade and moisture for growth.
- Pothos: Pothos can effectively clean the air of a load of chemicals such as formaldehyde and xylene. Their air-purifying capabilities have been accredited by NASA as well.
How to care for air purifying indoor plants?
- Always gauge the amount of light that is entering your property and then select the plants. Not all types of plants are suited for all kinds of light levels. For best results, moderate light is preferred.
- Pick plants that you would be able to care for down the road. If you have busy scheduling choosing succulents would mean you don’t need to spend a lot of your time watering them or looking after them, whereas a fiddle-leaf might not be the best option in that case.
- Be mindful when you are watering the plants. Overwatering plants like succulents can lead to root rot and eventually kill the plant, whereas underwatering ferns may lead to their roots drying up.
- Humidity plays a significant role as many plants thrive in moist conditions. Mimicking the natural conditions of your plant species will ensure a longer life for them.
- Always keep the indoor temperatures stable. Using indoor heating or cooling can lead to your plants not being able to adjust to the fluctuations.
- Placing too many fertilizers may not be as good as you think. Houseplants tend not to use as many fertilizers as outdoor ones do. Many experts suggest that you let your plant sit for a year before you provide the first dose of fertilizers.
- Always shop from a source that is reliable and has a history of harboring plants that are healthy and come without any parasites.
- When you first get your plants in, they might require a little bit of extra care and effort since they would be adjusting to a new environment.
- Do not be scared to repot your plants. Repotting can provide them with the space that they need to grow larger.
- Drainage is an important issue as redundant water can lead to rotting of the roots and a host of diseases.
The most important step when it comes to taking care of your indoor plants is observation. Plants will let one know when something is not correct, and the first spot to look for it would be the leaves. Generally, leaves tend to change color or fade up when the plant is facing some issue. Some may also start drying at the tips as a result. If you plan on buying air purifying indoor plants for oxygen, there are many options available both online and offline. Real-life nurseries have a wide range of plants that you can touch and feel in real life, whereas online sellers have a vast assortment of these. If you are planning on purchasing from an online source, always remember to ensure that extra care is being taken during packaging and shipment. Indoor plants add a much-needed dash of life to urban spaces and instill a sense of vibrancy as well. Air-purifying indoor plants leave the air in the room feeling fresher and cleaner and help to make it an ideal and safe space for you and your family to thrive in.
