Improve The Air Quality In Your Home With These Indoor Plants
By: Mona Freund
It is no secret that spending time in nature is good for us. In fact, studies show that two hours per week of outside time can be beneficial to our health. Whether you get this outside time while hiking, gardening or simply sitting in your backyard doesn’t really matter. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to have their own garden or live close to a park. Luckily, you can bring a touch of green and fresh air into your home by adding houseplants to your interior design. Plants don’t just make us feel good, when we’re walking around in nature. They also increase our ability to focus, boost our moods and reduce our stress level indoors. They’re the perfect decor element and fit in virtually every household.
Besides all the effects that indoor plants have on our mental health, they’re also proven to be amazing natural air purifiers. In a study conducted by NASA, several houseplants showed that they were able to filter volatile organic compounds (VOCs) out of the air. VOCs are harmful gases from chemicals and toxins that are emitted into the air. Low levels of most VOCs are actually normal and produced in humans and animals; however, in large amounts, these toxins can harm our respiratory system and even cause cancer. The following five VOCs are most commonly found in households:
- Formaldehyde: can be found in manufactured wood, cosmetics, cigarette smoke and permanent press fabric such as drapes and curtains
- Trichloroethylene (TCE): can be found in paint removers, cleaners and adhesives
- Xylene: can be found in cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust, paint and varnish
- Ammonia: can be found in fertilizers, industrial and window cleaners
- Benzene: can be found in glues, gasoline, detergents and furniture wax
By switching to natural cleaning products, regularly opening the windows and letting fresh air in, you can reduce the amount of VOCs in your home. But you can also add (more) indoor plants to your house to improve the air quality! Just two plants per 100 square feet can already help reduce the levels of harmful pollutants in a room.
One of the best natural air purifiers is the peace lily. This plant performed among the best in the NASA study and is the perfect addition to your bathroom, as it loves a humid environment and can survive under low light conditions. For smaller spaces, succulents like aloe vera can be amazing decor pieces and air purifiers. An empty corner can be brought to life by adding an areca palm that not only filters toxins out of the air but also boosts your mood every time you glance at the lush, green foliage.
To help you improve the air quality in your home, FTD created this flowchart that tells you more about the different VOCs and guides you through picking the right air purifying plant for your lifestyle, as well as how to decorate your home with indoor plants.
Article written by: Mona Freund
