Indoor plants. Which plants purify the air in your home?

Have you heard that old wives’ tale that claims you shouldn’t keep plants in your bedroom?

Don’t even think about believing it!

Apart from the fact they breathe life into any nook or cranny in your home, plants are the ideal way to clean and filter impure air caused by cigarette smoke, domestic appliances or air pollution.

In a study conducted in 1989, NASA demonstrated that certain indoor plants improve the air quality in rooms, freeing them of harmful organic elements such as trichloroethylene, benzene and ammonia (among others).

In this article, we’ll list some of the best indoor plants at purifying the air you breathe at home.

We want them all!

Orchid

Also known as the flower of youth, the orchid is perfect for clearing the air of xylene, a solvent often found in paint.

According to Chinese tradition, if we give them the tender loving care they need (and they don’t ask for much!), orchids can bring good energy and prosperity to our family members. 

Care: Like almost all indoor plants, orchids dislike extreme temperatures. Nonetheless, this plant is known for being quite appreciative: all it needs is indirect light and to be submerged in water once a week (letting it drain afterwards). In exchange, it will look wonderful for a long time to come.

Bromeliad

This gorgeous tropical plant adapts easily to indoor environments as it is accustomed to growing in inhospitable places, like rocks.

As well as giving the home an exotic and colourful touch, scientists from the State University of New York at Oswego have found that the bromeliad absorbs up to 80% of the harmful compounds present in the air. So there’s hardly anything left behind!

Care: The bromeliad doesn’t require much care to be happy and brighten up your home. Place it in a bright location (though not in direct sunlight) and water it once a week, pouring the water into the calyx (the cup at the base of the leaves). If you stick to this simple care routine, you’ll be able to enjoy its flower for up to 6 months.

Anthurium

This plant is one of the best for any office desk, as it regulates humidity and fills the air with filtered water vapour.

It also processes harmful substances such as xylene and toluene, transforming them into compounds that are harmless to the body.

Care: Your anthurium will be right at home in a warm part of the house, but without direct sunlight. You can water it when you see the soil is dry. Above all, don’t overwater it as it could lose its leaves!

Sansevieria

Who said you shouldn’t sleep close to plants? Sansevieria, also known as the ‘snake plant’ or ‘mother-in-law’s tongue’, is an ultra-recommendable option for the bedroom as it releases oxygen throughout the night and refreshes the space. It’s also beautiful and really easy to combine with any home decor.

Care: The sansevieria is an ideal choice to start out in the world of indoor plants. It resists both high and low temperatures, and as long as you water it once a month, it will be fine. There’s a good reason why it’s nicknamed ‘the immortal plant’!

Peace Lily

Its vibrant green colour and lovely white flowers make the peace lily an irresistibly elegant decorative addition to the house. Additionally, this plant also helps to eliminate excess moisture and the pollutants we breathe in at home.

Care: The peace lily can survive with a small amount of water and light, though it is better to keep it away from draughts. Try to keep it at a temperature of about 18ºC and it will be as happy as can be. 

Do you have any of these plants at home? How do you care for them? 

Let us know!