These days air pollution is becoming more and more of a threat. Specifically, indoor air pollution is worse yet it doesn’t receive as much attention as it should. Studies show that indoor pollutants are twice as high as outdoors. This is a cause for concern as residents are reportedly spending up to 90% of their lives holed up in air-tight buildings. As a result, urban-dwellers are more likely to develop chronic illnesses.
Pollutants found in air-tight buildings have an adverse effect on physical & mental health. There are over 400 chemical and inorganic compounds which you could be breathing daily. Residents of poor air-filtration homes who are exposed to these compounds are at bigger risk. Of those, children are most vulnerable. It is no wonder, then, that asthma is the most common respiratory illness among this age group.
How can you improve air circulation in your home?
You might think that filtration systems improve air circulation but this isn’t entirely true. A study has shown that lots of air purifiers are ineffective in reducing air pollutants. In fact, some may even be harmful as they contribute to higher levels of ozone. These reportedly exceed safety levels determined by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
The best solution: get some air-purifying houseplants.
There is no better cost-effective method than the biological-based purification of houseplants. Gas pollutants are used up as carbon source to maintain or multiply cells. While it’s uncertain how effective houseplants are, it is guaranteed to offer psychological benefits. Indeed, greening your indoors is the perfect way to gain environmental and social benefits. These include decreased CO2 concentration which improve cognitive functions, such as decision making. It may be impossible to guess how many houseplants it takes to purify your air indoors. However, it is recommended to have two medium-sized plants per 100 square feet indoors. We’ll gladly take the excuse to stock up on beautiful plants any day.
So which air-purifying plants should you get?
Rubber Plant – Ficus elastica Robusta
Deemed as one of the best air-purifying plants according to NASA, it is also extremely easy to care for. The Rubber plant absorbs harmful toxins such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. It also looks beautiful with its glossy, wide foliage that can grow up to several meters in height. Don’t worry, however, as it can be easily maintained with an occasional trim. This houseplant thrives in bright, indirect light but will also cope in less bright conditions. It requires only moderate watering and does perfectly fine in regular household temperatures.
Spider Plant – Chlorophytum comosum
You will find that the Spider plant is extremely common in office settings. This houseplant is a perfect choice for any commercial or residential environment. This little gem can thrive year-round due to its resilient nature and is therefore a great choice for beginners. Its pure green leaves cascade down into a glorious fountain of foliage, which adds a dash of sophistication to your office space. It copes well in a multitude of lighting conditions and requires proper drainage after watering.
Dragon Tree – Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’
Despite its majestic name, the Dracaena fragrans is an enchanting little houseplant that wards off evil by ridding your interiors of nasty air pollutants. Equipped with its sword-shaped leaves, this mighty shrub will protect you from harmful compounds. Deemed as one of the best plants for removing toxins by NASA, this plant is also low maintenance and disease free. Begone, foul demons!