Having a healthy indoor climate is essential for maintaining productivity and a sense of well-being. Do you often feel tired, sleepy or unable to concentrate? The cause may be air that contains pollutants. Particularly in winter, when not enough air is ventilated, many pollutants accumulate in the air. Indoor air-purifying plants can help you get rid of pollutants. These green wonder plants filter pollutants from the air and improve your indoor climate.
Pollutants in the air – Causes & effects
Many pollutants build up, especially in enclosed spaces such as the office or home. They are invisible, but can have a strong impact on your health. The Sick Building Syndrome, or building sickness, describes a pathological condition of people that only becomes apparent when they are in a certain building or room. If this person leaves the building, the symptoms disappear.
Those affected often experience general discomfort and complain of fatigue, insomnia, or lack of concentration. Indoor sickness can be traced to high levels of pollutants in the air.
The most common indoor pollutants
That car exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke contain pollutants is probably something everyone knows. However, you may not have been aware that furniture or cosmetic products also contain toxins. In the following, we will tell you what the most common indoor pollutants are, as well as what causes pollutants in the air and what effects they have on health.
Formaldehyde
This is the most common indoor pollutant. From car exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke or the use of a gas stove it enters the home. Some textiles, adhesives and disinfectants also contain formaldehyde. Health effects of formaldehyde can include irritation of the mucous membranes, eye irritation, headaches, or mood disorders such as insomnia or nervousness. Stay tuned for more of the indoor air-purifying plants.
Benzene
A hydrocarbon, benzene is found in vehicle exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke. In addition, it is formed during combustion processes, for instance, through the use of a fireplace stove. Homes that are near garages or gas stations or along busy roads have a particularly high level of benzene. Elevated intake of benzene can lead to changes in the blood count and may cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, dizziness, or palpitations.
Xylene
Found in paints, dyes, gums, and pesticides, xylene is a harmful substance. When absorbed by humans through the skin or respiratory tract, it is harmful to health. Impacts include impaired memory and orientation, dizziness, headaches, or shortness of breath.
Trichloroethylene
This harmful substance, which is also known as trichloroethene, is especially common in cleaning agents. Breathing it in can irritate the respiratory tract and cause symptoms such as dizziness, headaches or drowsiness. Stay tuned for more of the indoor air-purifying plants.
Indoor plants as a pollutant killer
At this point, you’re probably thinking, how do you get those pollutants out of your home? The answer is indoor air-purifying plants! This discovery was made by NASA. It was their experts who were trying to figure out how to improve the pollutant-laden air in space stations.
Their study showed that particular plants can filter pollutants out of the air. In the experiment, for example, green lily managed to reduce the level of formaldehyde in the room by 86% in one day.
Therefore, plants, besides being a good ventilation system, are great helpers in removing pollutants. So, the green air improvers not only convert CO2 into oxygen, but also are able to filter pollutants from the air. In particular, rooms that are not frequently ventilated or do not have good ventilation benefit from air-purifying plants. This dramatically reduces the risk to health from air containing pollutants.
How do indoor air-purifying plants filter pollutants from the air?
Want to know how plants can filter toxic pollutants from the air and turn them into healthy oxygen? Actually, it sounds too good to be true – but these inconspicuous plants can indeed do it! These plants absorb pollutants through small stomata in their leaves.
Through the transport system, the pollutants are then released into the soil via the roots, eventually being broken down and eaten by microorganisms. The roots of the plant also have the ability to directly absorb pollutants from the air and convert them into nutrients such as glucose.
Our Top 10 Indoor Air-purifying Plants
In general, it is recommended to have one plant per 9 m², which means about two plants per room to be able to make an effect. However, the more plants, the better the air. We have picked out the 10 superstars of indoor air-purifying plants for you:
Common ivy (Hedera helix)
Ivy has an extremely high air-purifying effect and is particularly good at eliminating benzene in the air. It also fights formaldehyde and xylenes, likes partial shade and cooler temperatures between 15 and 22 degrees. This makes ivy perfect for the staircase or entrance hall, for example. Warning, ivy is very poisonous! Be sure to place it out of reach of children and pets.
Aloe Vera (True Aloe)
Aloe vera is an excellent choice for the bedroom, since it produces oxygen even at night. In addition, it helps with minor burns or insect bites. For this purpose, you cut a piece of a leaf and hold it on the affected area. Aloe vera improves the indoor climate for a comfortable and restful sleep. Stay tuned for more of the indoor air-purifying plants.
Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata/reflexa)
The dragon tree adds an exotic flair to your four walls. It also contributes to a fresh and pleasant indoor climate. Dragon tree effectively fights against benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and xylenes. This tree likes to stand in a bright or semi-shaded place, but does not like direct sunlight. Ideal temperatures are between 19 and 25 degrees. Be careful, the dragon tree is poisonous!
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
Chrysanthemums are a favorite on balconies, but they are also one of the excellent indoor air-purifying plants. They bloom in brilliant colors in autumn and give the room freshness. However, even without flowers, chrysanthemums greatly contribute to the indoor climate, because their leaves purify the air.
Moreover, they filter benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and xylenes from the air. They like a sunny place, but do not want it too warm and feel comfortable only up to about 18 degrees. You should not touch chrysanthemums, they are also poisonous.
Birch fig (Ficus benjamina)
The Ficus Benjamina will purify your air from the pollutants formaldehyde and xylenes. Birch figs can often reach a height of 5 meters and therefore can be placed on the ground. The best place to put the indoor plant is in a sunny place in your living room. Stay tuned for more of the indoor air-purifying plants.
Bow hemp (Sansevieria)
Commonly called mother-in-law’s tongue, bow hemp or sansevieria has a flamboyant appearance and hard, elongated leaves that are alternately light and dark green. It is very low maintenance and is absolutely happy with weekly watering. The arching hemp is used in Feng Shui as well, since it contributes to a balanced atmosphere in your home.
The plant loves the sun and can be placed in a very sunny spot such as a windowsill. Also, the temperature can be a little higher, up to 29 degrees. Sansevieria also filters benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and xylenes from the air. Warning, the bow hemp is also poisonous!
Dwarf date palm (Phoenix roebeleni)
Palm trees will add a little bit of vacation spirit to your home and will free you from the toxic substances formaldehyde and xylene. Since they originally come from tropical areas, palms like a lot of light and a lot of warmth. The dwarf date palm is non-toxic, making it a good choice for a child’s room. Stay tuned for more of the indoor air-purifying plants.
Green Lily (Chlorophytum elatum)
A master at absorbing formaldehyde, the green lily also filters xylene from the air. It is comfortable in just about any room, making it especially popular. In case you don’t have a green thumb and your plants turn into crispy brown plants after a short time, you shouldn’t give up your dream of a green home anyway! In any case, you should give the green lily another chance.
They are very frugal and their narrow, green-white leaves make them a decorative air purifier. Hint: If you cut off the flower shoots and put them in water for 1-2 weeks, roots will grow. You can grow an entire green lily army this way!
Green lily prefers to be placed in partial shade. In other words, you should not place it in full sun, but you should also not place it in a dark corner. The best place for the green lily is in a place with indirect sunlight. The temperature of the room must be around 20 degrees. In addition, the green lily is non-toxic and is therefore one of our top favorites.
Ivy Tutu (Epipremnum aureum)
Also known as the Golden Ivy, the Ivy Tutu is an exceptionally popular houseplant. This climbing plant can grow both vertically and horizontally. The ivy tutu is one of the best indoor air-purifying plants and clears the air of benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethene as well as xylenes. The leaves of ivy tutu are toxic and should be kept away from children and pets.
Monocot (Spathiphyllum)
The monocot is an excellent all-rounder in air purification and can filter benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and also xylenes from the air. With its long leaves and white flowers, the plant itself looks graceful making it an eye-catcher in any room. Monocot is comfortable in rather shady places and may be placed in dark places as well.
The plant does not like direct sunlight at all. Normal apartment temperatures are fine for the plant. But if it gets colder than 18 degrees, growth of the plant slows down. Monocot is poisonous and should be kept out of reach of animals and children.
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