Indoor Clean Air Research
NASA worked on a project to promoting air quality for indoor living spaces. Significant research has been done by NASA, and other organizations, to learn which houseplants are best for removing airborne chemicals. Ordinary home furnishings, upholstery, synthetic building materials, carpeting, and paints all release chemicals. Ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde and xylene are some chemicals dicovered in home air you breath every day. Small unvented office spaces would especially benefit with a few ‘clean air’ plants. Living in the northeast climate can make it difficult to open windows for clean air exchange, particularly during the winter months.
The good news is, there are many plants which absorb pollutants as part of their normal process of taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Plants then transport the pollutants to their roots where microbes feed on and detoxify them.
Surprisingly, there are a good number of ordinary houseplants that are extraordinary at maintaining healthy air quality in your home and office. The soil microorganisms associated with the plants are also responsible for assisting in the cleaning effect.
Plants that promote clean air quality:
Sansevieria Snake Plant
If you are a beginner at houseplants and want to choose a top air cleaner plant that is very hardy and hard to kill, start with a Sansevieria. One of the most commonly seen varieties, sometimes called mother-in-law tongue, and most other sansevieria varieties can survive a wide variety of temperatures and light conditions. If you are a plant nurturer this is probably not the plant for you. It thrives on neglect and dry soil, so you run more risk at killing it if you overwater it. Of course this doesn’t mean you never water it, but every 2-3 weeks will be more than sufficient at keeping this plant alive.
Spathiphyllium Peace Lily
Peace lilies are best known for their ability to remove toxic gases like formaldehyde and even carbon monoxide from the air. The typical houseplant peace lily will grow 16 – 24 inches. They are not true lilies, periodically growing white calla-like blooms among glossy dark leaves. Peace lilies prefer high light situations to keep the plant blooming, but foliage will grow fine in less light settings. When peace lilies are thirsty their leaves droop, but pop back up when given a thorough drink. They prefer high humidity so place it on a tray with gravel and water or group it with other plants to help the edges of leaves from browning.
Chlorophytum comosum Spider Plant
Everyone knows the lovely variegated spider plant, often draped with ‘babies’ overflowing out of the mother plant. Usuallly potted in a hanging basket, spiders are an easy to grow indoor houseplant that hails originally fron South America. Spider plants are another great choice for beginners or forgetful owners as they are forgiving with location and watering requirements. NASA’s study of spider plants found they removed 95 percent of fermaldehyde from a sealed plexiglass chamber in 24 hours.
Houseplant Care
Watering requirements for plants will vary, but do not need more than a light fertilizer once or twice per year. Rolling Green’s list of hard to kill, air-cleaning plants also includes; ficus, boston ferns, bamboo palms, dracena and aloes. Feel free to ask our greenhouse staff for suggestions and care instructions for all our houseplants.
Just a reminder:
It is important to note, plants may contain irritants and/or may be toxic to pets or children, if taken a bite of your plants. We can also help you identify these for your specific situation.