The amount of time we spend at home has significantly grown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It requires us to stay at home, and even work from home, to be safe and healthy. But is the air inside our homes genuinely healthy and clean? While we may believe that we are inhaling clean air when at home, this is not always the case. A variety of factors lead to poor indoor air quality; factors like furniture, paint, synthetic breathing materials, cleaning supplies and outside pollution that gets inside. According to studies, the average home’s air is substantially more contaminated than the air outside because of the restricted airflow.
It’s a given that trees can lower temperatures and purify the air. So, instead of buying air purifiers, why not add some air-purifying plants to your home? Air-purifying plants are particularly good at increasing oxygen levels, and removing toxins and pollutants like benzene and nitrogen dioxide from the air. So, we reached out to Supriya Patil, Environmental Expert at Grow Trees, and asked her to share her expert inputs on plants that can be placed indoors to improve air quality. Read on to know all that she shared!
1. Aloe Vera
The first plant you need to bring home is aloe vera; it will absorb carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide as well as remove benzene and formaldehyde from the air. It is easy to cultivate and maintain, and all it needs for healthy growth is moist soil and low levels of sunlight. Moreover, is there anything better than having access to fresh aloe vera pulp right at home?
2. Peace Lily
According to NASA, this plant is one of the best at eliminating typical air contaminants present in any home. Peace lilies require little maintenance, and they even droop when they need to be watered. This plant purifies the air by removing formaldehyde and benzene, improving the quality of our environment.
3. Spider Plant
This plant grows easily and requires little maintenance, making it an excellent option for novice gardeners and even forgetful people. It requires well-drained soil and watering two to three times a week. They help remove xylene and formaldehyde that are present indoors.
4. Weeping Fig
The weeping fig is a resilient and low-maintenance plant that will cleanse the air of pollutants released by furniture and other household furnishings. Allow the soil to dry up completely before watering, and keep it in direct bright sunlight. Initial growth is slow, but it eventually develops into a large plant that greatly improves air quality.
5. Snake Plant
Snake plant is hardy, easy to grow and propagate, and requires minimal attention. Although it does need to be watered occasionally, it generally prefers drier conditions. It is an easy choice for almost any room because it can handle various light intensities. It thrives in low-lit and humid environments, making bathrooms the ideal spot to keep these plants.
You don’t need a large terrace or balcony to have some greenery at home. Instead, all you need is a small area to accommodate these lovely, yet useful, green plants.
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