5 Houseplants That Will Improve The Air Quality In Your Home

You probably know the basic science behind the importance of plants, and what they do for the air we breathe. However, this is something that we don’t think about on a daily basis. This is especially true when it comes to the plants that we bring into our homes.

Typically, we introduce plants into the spaces we live for aesthetic purposes – because they look nice, and they fit in with our decor. But, depending on what plants you actually choose to bring into your house, you could be doing yourself (and your health!) a huge favor.

Let’s check out five wonderful houseplants that can improve the air quality in your home. Perhaps you already have a few of these varieties around your house or apartment, if you don’t, I hope that you will consider them the next time that you are looking to add a little something ‘green’ to your home!

1. Spider Plant

Don’t let the name fool you – Spider plants are a great way to introduce some beautiful greenery into your home, especially if you are new to caring for plants, or tend to get a bit forgetful sometimes when it comes to taking care of them.

They are an easy houseplant to grow, as they don’t require much attention, and they look really beautiful! Simply by watering regularly and keeping them in indirect sunlight, spider plants can help to remove things like formaldehyde and xylene from the air.

2. Ficus

Ficus plants are definitely one of the most common varieties of household plants, and for good reason! Not only are they easy to care for and pleasing to the eye, but also they have some incredible benefits when it comes to cleaning up the air.

They can remove formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from your home. Plus, they can be taken both indoors and outdoors, depending on the season, so you can give your Ficus a ‘refresher’ by placing it outside during the warmer months.

Ficus plants also make great gifts for new homeowners, as a sign of health and luck – so you can take confidence knowing that if you give a Ficus as a gift, you are giving the gift of cleaner air, and healthier lungs!

3. Aloe

Aloe might be one of the best plants to keep in your home for a multitude of reasons, but one of the biggest is the fact that it can help to remove pollutants from the air that are often found in chemical cleaners – you don’t want to breathe that stuff in!

Keep your Aloe Vera plant near a kitchen window with plenty of sun, and it will give your kitchen a new breath of life. Anytime you clean the kitchen using household products, this plant will help to make sure that you are not breathing in any of the harmful chemicals that can come along with cleaning.

Plus, snip off a piece of the plant if you happen to fall victim to a cut or burn – the natural gel inside has healing properties that go back thousands of years. Aloe plants are a win-win in the home, no matter what room they are in.

4. Snake Plant

Again, this plant has a name that we might not want associated with typical things in our homes, but snake plants are extremely beneficial when it comes to improving air quality.

Where do they work best? Typically, a bathroom with a little bit of sunlight can help these leafy plants to thrive, and they’ll help to remove chemicals from the air that can be found in a lot of toilet papers and paper towels.

Because bathrooms are typically pretty enclosed, this can be a huge benefit for filtering out air that may not otherwise get circulated very often.

If you put a snake plant or two in your bedroom, it can also help to release more oxygen while you sleep, letting you get a deeper rest, and a more peaceful night.

5. Chrysanthemum

We may have saved the most colorful plant for last, so it definitely deserves some attention!

Chrysanthemums are often just looked at for their beautiful flowers, as a form of decoration, either inside or outside. But they actually have wonderful air-filtering properties outside of their ‘good looks.’

Chrysanthemums not only brighten up an office or living room, but they can help to remove Benzene. Benzene can be released into the air from a multitude of products, like laundry detergent or plastic material, so if you have a small room or enclosed space, bringing one of these colorful plants can really help to clean things up!

As a bonus, you can even choose a flower color that matches the decor you are looking for, as long as you select an indoor variety.

Household Plants To The Rescue

Though these five household plants can really work wonders when it comes to filtering the air, they are truly just the tip of the iceberg.

There are dozens of plants that are easy to care for, pleasing to the eye, clean up the air in your home, and will allow you to breathe easier in every room.

Try doing some more of your own research when it comes to what household plants you think that will work best in your home, so that you will breath a little healthier every time you come through your door!