If you paid attention in science class, you learned that plants absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen, a nice complement to what we do. However, did you know that there are some plants that remove toxins from the air as well?
Who knew something as pretty and soothing as incorporating more plants into your interior design could also help your health? Here are a few types to get you started:
Aloe Vera
Go check your backyard. This plant is so common in Florida landscapes you may already be growing some. Bring it indoors and it can help you rid your air of benzene and formaldehyde, known carcinogens. Its nighttime oxygen production also makes it ideal for the bedroom. Get a little too red at the beach? The gel from this handy plant can also soothe sunburn.
Ficus
...And you thought they were only decorative. The ficus tree clears formaldehyde and is a good general air purifier. It’s relatively low maintenance but should be kept out of direct light. This is why you used to see so many of these in offices.
Gerbera Daisy
Not every air purifying plant is without flowers. This pop of color cleans benzene and formaldehyde as well. It can be finicky indoors as it requires bright light and moderate temps. Drafty windows and hot spots are to be voided.
Peace Lily
This plant commonly found in offices is an air-cleaning powerhouse removing a variety of alcohols and chemicals from the air. That’s why you’ll commonly see this variety in doctors’ offices. The plants don’t need a lot of light but do like frequent waterings. Be aware the peace lily can raise humidity levels in the room by 5%, good for dry climates. No worries for us. Can Florida get any more humid?
Snake Plant (aka Mother-in-law’s Tongue)
This colorfully-named plant is also a favorite in offices. Like the aloe plant, it removes carbon dioxide from the air at night and produces oxygen, making it ideal for a bedroom. It also clears smog, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from the air. Unlike many mother-in-laws, it doesn’t mind neglect, and can continue to thrive even when its owner forgets the occasional watering.
Spider Plant
For those of us old enough to remember the seventies, you probably remember these plants everywhere. They were the ones that sent out shoots with a baby plant hanging from the end.
They often were wrapped in cozy macrame planters. Turns out they weren’t only trendy at the time, they also worked hard at keeping our air clean. A study by NASA discovered this hard-working plant can remove up to 96% of carbon monoxide and 99% of nitrogen dioxide within a sealed chamber.
As we learn more and more about the poisons in our air, it’s encouraging to know that nature can help us filter out some of them. Air conditioning units can also help those with sensitivities if the ductwork is clean and the filters are high quality. If you’re concerned with air quality, speak to the AC repair specialists at Easy A/C and schedule an appointment today.