Seven Plants that will Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Office or Home

Have you been reluctant about growing plants due to your ability to kill just about anything that comes and lives in a pot? You may have a reason to reconsider. Apart from looking beautiful, plants have the amazing ability to improve indoor air quality. In addition, certain plants don’t require serious gardening abilities (just water them every now and then and they’ll be happy).

Want to make your home or office greener? Interested in improving the air quality? If so, you may consider adding the following plants to your indoor garden. 

Aloe Vera
This is a NASA-approved plant that’s virtually impossible to kill. Its natural habitat tends to be quite harsh so no matter how hard you try, chances are that you can’t bring about the demise of your aloe vera.

Aloe vera has the power to remove a pollutant known as formaldehyde from the air. It also keeps the home free from benzene – a substance that’s commonly found in chemical household cleaners.

There’s more, if you need an additional reason to grow aloe vera. The juice or gel found inside the leaves has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial qualities. Aloe vera is often used in detox recipes and it’s widely incorporated in the formulas of cosmetics. Growing your own plant will give you access to clean, fresh and organic gel that you can use to treat wounds, keep your skin younger or even make detox smoothies. This plant can be toxic for cats and dogs. 

Peace Lily
The peace lily is another little toughy that’s great for people who don’t have the time to care for more whimsical plants. In addition, it reduces the amounts of mold spores found in the air significantly.

The peace lily is so beneficial that studies suggest it improves air quality by nearly 60 percent. 

Some of the most common air pollutants that peace lilies can get rid of include ammonia, formaldehyde and benzene.

This is a flowering plant that produces aromatic and beautiful white blossoms. If you’re allergic to pollen, you may want to avoid growing this plant. Just like all other flowering plants, the peace lily could contribute to seasonal allergies and hay fever.

Snake Plant
If you’re looking for something extra-tough and extra hard to kill, the snake plant is the ideal one for you. It only requires occasional watering and that’s it!

On top of being such a good sport, the snake plant gets rid of formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and several other air pollutant varieties. 

Eucalyptus
Recognized as a medicinal plant and famous for the essential oil that’s derived from the plant, eucalyptus is also included among the NASA-approved plants that can improve indoor air quality.

On top of improving indoor air quality, eucalyptus is great for the people that suffer from frequent colds or air passage congestions. The scent of the eucalyptus leaves will be sufficient to improve breathing.

The only problem with this plant is that it can be a bit difficult to find. Most often, eucalyptus grows outdoors. Still, if you look around, you may find a potted plant for your home or office. This plant can be toxic for cats. 

Boston Fern
This plant prefers indirect sunlight and it has to be watered more frequently than the other green beauties included in the list. Once you choose the right spot for it, however, you’ll find the Boston fern to be rather unpretentious.

The fern removes formaldehyde and xylene from the air. Xylene is a potent solvent that is used in the production of rubber, as well as in the printing industry.

In addition, the fern is considered a humidifier plant. This means that it’s capable of restoring air moisture. People that want to reduce their breathing problems should most definitely consider getting a beautiful fern in their home.

Spider Plant
Spider plant or chlorophytum comosum is very resilient and it produces beautiful striped leaves. In addition, the spider plant is safe for households that have pets since the leaves are non-poisonous.

On top of getting rid from carbon dioxide, the spider plant can also clean the air from formaldehyde and xylene. 

All that you have to do to grow the spider plant is keep it away from direct sunlight. With time, it will produce shoots that will turn into baby plants. 

Chrysanthemum
Beautiful to look at, the chrysanthemum is very colorful and you’ll find at least one variety to fall in love with. On top of being a beautiful houseplant, the chrysanthemum is also capable of improving air quality significantly.

Chrysanthemums get rid of benzene in the air. The chemical is used in so many detergents and household items that you’re probably breathing it in without realizing. 

This flowering plant isn’t exceptionally difficult to care for. In order to encourage flowering, you’ll need to find a sunny and warm spot for your chrysanthemum pot. 

By Cliff Derksen
Owner of First Impressions Janitorial