Whilst you can never beat being outside in the great outdoors, many of us find ourselves spending more time indoors. From changes to work life balance (work from home) to getting away from the terrible weather (if you live in the UK) maintaining good air quality inside your home is more important than ever. One natural and aesthetically pleasing way to improve your indoor air quality is by adding house plants known for their ai-purifying properties.
Not only will these plants improve the air you breathe but they are going to add a touch of nature, creating a more inviting and relaxing environment.
Lets delve into some of the best plants for improving indoor air quality and some extra tops to help them thrive.
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
The Snake plant, also commonly known as Saint George’s sword, mother-in-laws tongue and viper’s bowstring hemp is a species of flowering plant. An evergreen perennial forming a climb of stiff sword shaped variegated deep green leaves.
Benefits:
- The Snake Plant, also known as the “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue,” is one of the best plants for filtering out harmful toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and nitrogen oxides from the air.
- It’s a great choice for bedrooms because it releases oxygen at night, helping to improve air quality while you sleep.
Care Instructions:
- Light: Snake Plants are highly adaptable and can thrive in low light, but they prefer indirect sunlight.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
- Temperature: They do well in a wide range of temperatures but prefer warmth. Keep them away from drafts.
2. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Another that is a species of evergreen perennial flowering plant is the Spider plant. Also known as spider ivy, airplane plant and ribbon plant due to its spider-like look. It has narrow strap shaped leaves arising from a central point.
Benefits:
- Spider Plants are excellent at removing carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and xylene from the air, making them ideal for homes in urban areas with higher pollution levels.
- They are also non-toxic, making them safe for homes with pets and children.
Care Instructions:
- Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal, though they can tolerate low light conditions.
- Watering: Water regularly, keeping the soil slightly moist. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
- Temperature: Spider Plants prefer cooler temperatures, between 55-65°F (13-18°C).
3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
With their white flowers and dark green leaves, peace lily’s fit effortlessly in most homes. They are an easy to care for plant, ideal for beginners and don’t require a significant time commitment.
Benefits:
- The Peace Lily is not only beautiful with its white blooms, but it is also highly effective at removing pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and ammonia from the air.
- It also helps to increase humidity, making it beneficial in dry environments.
Care Instructions:
- Light: Peace Lilies thrive in low to medium light. Direct sunlight can scorch their leaves.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. The plant will wilt slightly when it needs water, making it easy to know when to water it.
- Temperature: They prefer warm temperatures and should be kept away from drafts and cold windows.
4. Aloe Vera
You might recall the famous Persil advert back in 2022 ‘Hello Vera’ promoting their Aloe Vera liquigel detergent. This is the plant known for multiple health benefits as a supplement that can be applied directly to skin or ingested. Who knew it was also a great plant for improving air quality as well?
Benefits:
- Aloe Vera is well-known for its medicinal properties, but it also acts as an air purifier, particularly effective in filtering out formaldehyde and benzene, commonly found in chemical-based cleaners and paints.
- Aloe Vera also produces oxygen at night, making it another good option for bedrooms.
Care Instructions:
- Light: Aloe Vera loves bright, indirect sunlight. It can tolerate some direct sunlight, but too much can cause the leaves to brown.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. Overwatering is a common mistake that can harm this plant.
- Temperature: Aloe Vera prefers warmer temperatures and should be kept in an environment above 50°F (10°C).
5. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
This is a plant that really brings the outdoors in. The Boston Fern or also known as the sword fern is an evergreen plant that typically grows as high as 40-90 centimetres. It has been known in some extreme cases to grow up to 1.5m high! Whilst its benefits speak for themselves you will likely want to home this in a large room.
Benefits:
- Boston Ferns are highly effective at removing formaldehyde and xylene from the air. They are also excellent for increasing indoor humidity, which can be beneficial for respiratory health.
- Their lush, feathery fronds add a touch of elegance to any room.
Care Instructions:
- Light: They thrive in bright, indirect light but can tolerate partial shade.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mist the leaves regularly to maintain humidity.
- Temperature: Boston Ferns prefer cooler temperatures, ideally between 60-75°F (16-24°C). Avoid placing them in drafty areas.
6. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
The Rubber plant is a favourite houseplant thanks to its broad, glossy, emerald-hued leaves. Located in your bedroom, office or living room it adds colour and nature as well as… you guessed it, improves air quality. Other names for the rubber plant are; rubber fig, rubber bush, rubber tree and Indian rubber tree.
Benefits:
- The Rubber Plant is particularly good at removing formaldehyde from indoor air. Its large, glossy leaves make it an attractive addition to any home.
- It’s also known for being relatively easy to care for, even for those new to houseplants.
Care Instructions:
- Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but can adapt to lower light conditions.
- Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Rubber Plants prefer to be slightly dry rather than too wet.
- Temperature: They thrive in warm, stable temperatures, ideally between 60-80°F (15-27°C).
Conclusion
Why wouldn’t you want to improve the air quality in your home and simultaneously make it look better? Adding air-purifying plants is such a simple and natural way to improve your indoor air quality. Each of the above plants come with their own unique benefits and easy to care routines. We picked these out as they are suitable for both novice and experienced plant owners.
By incorporating these green companions into your home you can breathe easier, enjoy a more pleasant environment and connect with nature right from your living room.
