Did you know the air inside your home can be 2-5x more polluted than the air outside? The average person inhales 7-8 liters of air per minute which is around 11,000 liters of air each day.* Yikes! This makes us cringe too, which is why we advocate for plants throughout the home to help harness the powerful air filtration properties provided by Mother Nature. This is the kind of ‘green detox’ we can get behind.
According to the CDC, some of the most common sources of indoor air pollution are:
- Mold
- Pollen
- Dander from pets
- Secondhand smoke
- Formaldehyde
- Household cleaners and pesticides
- Carbon monoxide
- Fumes from paint and drywall
While plants can’t tackle all the toxins we’re throwing their way, they can improve the overall air quality, which reduces the environmental stress on our bodies. Here are some suggestions of house plants that help clean the air, while enhancing your home.
Boston Fern
This fern ranked the highest out of all plants tested in its ability to remove formaldehyde from the air.
Bamboo Plant
Bamboo scored very high in its ability to remove formaldehyde from the air. It also effectively removes benzene—an ingredient used to make dyes, lubricants, rubbers, and detergents—and trichloroethylene, an industrial solvent.
Philodendrons
Easy to grow and thrive with little attention, providing years of detoxifying for your home or office.
Dwarf Date Palm
This palm scores very high for its ability to remove airborne chemicals, and is especially effective at ridding the air of xylene, a common solvent ingredient.
Ficus Alii
This slender, leafed tree is effective at removing chemical vapors from the air and grows easily indoors, resisting most insects.
We hope this inspires you to trade out fragranced candles for fresh plants in your home and office!
*Source: https://homeairguides.com/air-quality/25-air-pollution-facts-and-health-statistics/
