Houseplants Purify the Air

Save energy and money by growing your own air purifier.

Research by NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (now known as PLANET) has shown that some of our popular houseplants can help eliminate air pollutants like volatile organic compounds found in homes and office buildings. As we tightened up the seals around windows and doors to conserve energy we trapped many toxins in our homes and offices. Those living in new or recently renovated buildings may find themselves with a case of sick office syndrome. Help reduce the risk as well as the headaches and other symptoms by adding a few plants to your interior décor.

Philodendrons, pothos and snake plants are not only good at cleaning the air but easy to grow. They tolerate low light found in many homes and benign neglect provided by many gardeners. Just add 15 to 18 tabletop houseplants to improve the air quality in your home.

A bit more information: Improve air quality without increasing your workload. Look for low maintenance houseplants that will thrive in the existing light conditions. Then place the plants on a saucer filled with pebbles. This way, when you water thoroughly the excess water collects in the pebbles and the pot rests safely above the water. This eliminates the need for you to pour off the excess water and prevents root rot that occurs when plants sit in a water filled saucer. Plus, as the water evaporates it increase the humidity around the plants.