Using Plants to Purify The Air in Your Home
Having good air quality in your home is important and there are a number of everyday household products that can release harmful chemicals into the surroundings. Substances like formaldehyde, benzene and ammonia (found in some cleaning supplies, plastics, detergents and more) are generally just by-products, but you don’t want to be breathing them in all of the time.
Fortunately, plants have been known to pull these substances out of the air. At the same time, putting plants in your home adds a bit of life to the decor. We’ve identified several different types of plants that can help purify the air in your home - and make your home look great while they're at it!
In a Corner
It’s hard to place furniture into the corner of the room, but leaving this space empty can feel like a waste. That’s why the corners of your home are the perfect place to introduce a houseplant. Look for tall, palm-tree like plants that you can put in oversized pots that match your style.
Dracaena plants are particularly nice for this. They have tall, thick stalks with leaves branching out from the top. The cornstalk dracaena has large leaves that flop over, giving it a soft look. The red-edged dracaena, on the other hand, has spiky leaves that stick straight up. It has a more energizing feel.
In the Bathroom
Most people don’t have a lot of extra space in the bathroom, but fresh plants can add a really nice touch to this room. Garden mums can be small, and the flowers look great in any space. You could plant them in small pots and put them on the sink counters or behind the toilet. One of the best reasons to include this plant in the bathroom is that it removes ammonia - found in many bathroom cleaners - from the air.
The bathroom might also be a nice spot for a hanging spider plant. These plants are notoriously easy to take care of, and with the moisture from your showers, you may not even have to water it at all.
On Display
Plants can be a subtle part of your home’s look, or they can be front-and-center. If you want a plant to go on a mantlepiece, in the centre of the dining room table, or in another location where it will be noticed, consider a beautiful peace lily. The flower has a nice scent that will drift throughout your home.
Gerbera daisies are another popular flowering plant that can have some air-purifying effects. They’re nice because you can either plant a few together in a large pot or keep single daisies in a small pot.
In the Kitchen
You might not have a lot of extra space for plants in the kitchen, but if you have some room toward the ceiling above the cupboards, English ivy could look nice there. A few vines will start to creep down, but you can easily cut any that get in your way. It won’t require a lot of care in the summer, but during dry winter months, you should give these plants a bit of water a few times a week.
In the Bedroom
Any plants you put in the bedroom should have a calming effect. Sansevieria plants might have a scary-sounding common name - snake plants or mother-in-law’s tongue plants - but they have a neat and tidy look, with broad leaves that stand tall. You could put a large version in the corner of the room or smaller versions on your bed stands. Why is this so perfect for the bedroom? Unlike other air-purifying plants that primarily work during the daytime, the sansevieria plant does its best work at night.
On the Patio
We typically think about going outside for some fresh air, but sometimes the air outside feels anything but fresh. Most air-purifying plants work just as well outside as they do inside. Consider planting some bamboo in large rectangular planters around the patio. They will offer some privacy as they grow. Alternatively, lemongrass could also purify the air outside - of mosquitoes. They supposedly don’t like the smell.
If you just want a few potted plants, aloe is a good choice. It will purify the air, but it can also take the sting out of a sunburn, so it’s always nice to have around. Pull off a leaf or two to put in the freezer, and it will cool the burn even more.
Most people pick certain plants because they like the way they look, but you can do your home some good by choosing varieties that clean the air. Just be sure to check care instructions as well as suitability for pets and children.
