In 1989, NASA teamed up with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) to study the affects of houseplants on the quality of indoor air. Their goal was cleaner space station air, but their findings proved useful for our well-insulated, energy efficient homes, as well. As winter approaches, it’s good to know our houseplants (3 per room is recommended, but 1 makes a difference) are helping to keep our homes free of toxins while we sip hot chocolate with our feet to the fire.
Below is NASA’s chart of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), or household toxins, common to most homes. We all know being outside in nature, filling our lungs with fresh oxygen is great for stress reduction, so bringing plants indoors just makes sense. Now, with NASA’s study, it makes even more sense. Houseplants can absorb unwanted toxins through their leaves and roots, thus purifying indoor air. The benefits keep piling up: Stress reduction, fresh oxygen, and purified air.
Here are 5 easy-to-grow houseplants with super “cleaning powers.”
1. Peace Lily. These are great starter plants for beginners. The deep, green leaves give every room a pick-me-up. They manage well in low, natural light, such as light from a north or north eastern window. They tell you when it’s time to water. (They start to droop, and then immediately after watering, perk up–though that is stressful for the plant, and not recommended). They’re also one of the few plants that remove all five toxins, making them pretty much a have-to-have plant. And, bonus: They have nice white blooms.
Peace Lily
2. Mother-in-Law Tongue. There’s a reason this plant is found in restaurants and bars. Like the Peace Lily their light requirements is also low, natural light. They aren’t super thirsty plants, and the variegated cultivar works best for cleaning up the toxins. It absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen during the night (most plants do so during the day), so the bedroom is a perfect place for these plants for a clean-air boost while sleeping. These plants remove four of the toxins, leaving only ammonia for the Peace lily to clean up.
Snake plant
3. English ivy is a beautiful plant indoors. Outside, it’s invasive and destructive. Indoors it thrives well in medium, natural light, as in a south east window. It can be an interesting topiary, used in hanging baskets or added to other containers for trailers. It is most efficient for removing formaldehyde found in many household paper products.
English Ivy
4.Red-Edged Dracaena. This evergreen can get large in the right conditions (8-15′ tall and 3-6′ wide), but is relatively easy to care for. It tolerates sun or shade but prefers relief from a hot afternoon sun. It is fairly drought tolerant, doing well with moderate water, and handles almost any soil conditions. It removes toxins that seep indoors from lacquers, varnishes and gasoline.
Red-edged dracena
5. Aloe Vera. A sunny, kitchen window is all this succulent plant needs (bright, natural light, from a southern or western exposure). Little water, it propagates easily to give to friends, the gel inside its leaves is great for burns, and it removes chemicals from cleaners and paints.
Aloe Vera
Other studies, done by the American Horticulture Society, are proving still more useful benefits when you add plants as part of your indoor decor. Click here for a complete list of NASA’s suggested plants Remember some of these plants are toxic to pets. Ask Jenna for more information regarding the right plants for your home.
Written by Cinthia Milner, Garden Coach and blog writer.
BB Barns serves Asheville, Western North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.
