The best houseplants for indoor air quality

For baseline quality of life, being able to breath is essential. Rather than spending lots of money on electronic devices that filter out airborne pollutants in your home, did you know that certain houseplants contribute a great deal to indoor air quality? Here are some relatively inexpensive ideas for those of you with a green thumb. Mix and match leafy and flowering plants and you’ll find yourself breathing more easily in no time, with a beautiful home to boot.

Houseplants for indoor air quality No. 1 – Snake plant

The Snake plant, aka Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, consists of several smooth, snake-like tendrils that ascend upward. For a basic price of $15 up to $70 for a 50-stem plant, Snake plant scrubs the air for formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, and benzene. It’s also great for the bedroom, as it converts CO2 into oxygen during nighttime hours.

Houseplants for indoor air quality No. 2 – Devil’s Ivy

A plant that’s easy to find, Devil’s Ivy (aka Golden Pothos) starts at around $15. It filters formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene and benzene.

Houseplants for indoor air quality No. 3 – Florist’s Chrysanthemum

Florist’s Chrysanthemum (aka Pot Mum) is cheap at under $5, but that’s for the seeds, as the plant is difficult to find in stores already potted. The Chysanthemum flowers are attractive, and the plant filters out formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, ammonia and benzene.

Houseplants for indoor air quality No. 4 – Peace Lily

For somewhere between $35 and $50, you have a pretty plant that is not unlike the Pot Mum. It helps beat formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, ammonia and benzene.

Houseplants for indoor air quality No. 5 – Red-Edged Dracaena

Found in many retail garden stores and online for around $35, this plant works to purify the air from pollutants like formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene and benzene.

Houseplants for indoor air quality No. 6 – Areca Palm

This heavy oxygen-producer is big, but will fit well on the living room floor. Expect to pay around $45 for this xylene- and toluene-killer.

Sources

Clean Air Gardening

Environmental Graffiti

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