Tag Archives: indoor plants

Breathing Fresh: NASA’s Top 12 Air-Purifying Plants for Cleaner Indoor Spaces

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In 1989, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) partnered with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) to conduct a Clean Air Study. Led by Dr. B. C. Wolverton, the study provided a comprehensive list of plants that are highly effective at purifying indoor air. The research demonstrated that plants have the ability to filter pollutants such as benzene, ammonia, and formaldehyde, which helps mitigate the effects of Sick Building Syndrome. Certain tropical houseplants were found to be particularly efficient in removing formaldehyde, trichloroethane, benzene, and other harmful substances from the air, replacing them with oxygen. According to the report, it is recommended to have at least one plant for every hundred square feet of indoor space, be it at home or in the office.

Designer: Ugly Duckling ID

Common Indoor Pollutants

Trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, ammonia, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and suspended particulate matter (SPM) are harmful substances found in various products and environments.

• Trichloroethylene, present in inks and pa2ints, can lead to symptoms such as dizziness and coma.
• Benzene, used in plastics and tobacco smoke, may result in drowsiness and unconsciousness.
• Formaldehyde, commonly found in paper products and fabrics, can cause irritation and swelling in the respiratory system.
• Ammonia, found in cleaning products, can cause eye irritation and sore throat.
• Xylene, present in rubber and vehicle exhaust, can lead to liver and kidney damage.
• NO2 and SO2, emitted by vehicles and factories, can harm the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
• SPM, small particles in the air, can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract and contribute to long-term health issues like asthma and cardiovascular problems.

Top 12 Air-Purifying Plants

1. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

Image courtesy of: Spaces

The Areca palm, native to Madagascar, is a popular foliage houseplant known for its ability to purify the air by removing formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. As a houseplant, it thrives indoors and can tolerate both shade and bright light. It requires less frequent watering and prefers temperatures ranging from 15 to 35 degrees Celsius and it adds beauty and charm to any indoor space.

2. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

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Sansevieria, commonly known as Mother-in-law’s tongue or Snake plant, is an incredibly resilient indoor plant that thrives even in low light conditions. It is a perfect choice for those seeking a low-maintenance plant as it requires infrequent watering. Moreover, Sansevieria has been recognized as one of the most effective air-purifying plants, capable of eliminating benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene from the surrounding air. It can adapt to various temperature ranges, from 5 to 45 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for different climates.

3. Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum)

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The money plant, belonging to the Araceae plant family, is a popular houseplant found in French Polynesia. It is highly adaptable and can thrive in various indoor environments. It has the ability to effectively purify the air by removing benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene. As a houseplant, its growing habits and characteristics are as follows: it prefers indoor locations, tolerates shade and artificial light, requires less frequent watering, and can withstand temperatures ranging from 15 to 45 degrees Celsius.

4. English ivy (Hedera helix)

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English Ivy, a flowering plant from the Araliaceous family, is a highly popular vine plant in Europe. It is native to most of Europe and Western Asia. Notably, English Ivy has been identified as one of the most efficient plants in removing benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene from the air. As a houseplant, its growing habits and characteristics include indoor location preference, tolerance to shade and artificial light, less frequent watering requirements, and a temperature range of 5 to 30 degrees Celsius.

5. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Image courtesy of: Elisall

The peace lily, belonging to the Araceae plant family, is a well-known indoor plant. It has been identified as one of the most efficient plants in eliminating benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, ammonia, xylene, toluene, and other pollutants from the air. As a houseplant, it thrives indoors and can tolerate both shade and artificial light. It requires less frequent watering and prefers temperatures ranging from 16 to 32 degrees Celsius.

6. Barberton Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

Image courtesy of: natanavo

Gerbera, a genus of flowering plants in the Asteraceae family, is renowned for its vibrant and lustrous flowers. It is a popular choice due to its ability to withstand adverse weather conditions and thrive in bright light. Notably, Gerbera is effective in purifying the air by eliminating benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. As a houseplant, it flourishes indoors, tolerating both shade and bright light. It requires less frequent watering and prefers temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius.

7. Chinese Evergreens (Aglaonema Modestum)

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Aglaonema, a member of the Araceae family, is a popular indoor plant originating from tropical and subtropical regions of South Asia. With over 100 popular varieties, it is both visually appealing and low-maintenance. Notably, Aglaonema is known for its ability to cleanse the air by removing benzene and formaldehyde. As a houseplant, it thrives in indoor locations, tolerates shade and artificial light, requires less frequent watering, and prefers temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius.

8. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Image courtesy of: araleboy

Chlorophytum comosum, a member of the Asparagaceae plant family, originates from southern Africa. This popular houseplant, known as the spider plant, is not only elegant and fast-growing but also easy to care for. A report by the university’s Cooperative Extension Service highlighted the spider plant as one of the top varieties for effectively removing VOCs. It has been found to cleanse the air by eliminating formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. As a houseplant, the spider plant thrives indoors, tolerating shade and artificial light, requiring less frequent watering, and favoring temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius.

9. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis mill)

Image courtesy of: Olivier_Le_Moal

Aloe vera, a succulent plant belonging to the Asphodelaceae family, is a remarkable plant known for its numerous benefits and medicinal uses since ancient times. It can withstand adverse weather conditions and thrives in bright light, making it suitable for deserts. Aloe vera is also effective in purifying the air by eliminating benzene and formaldehyde. As a houseplant, it prefers indoor locations, tolerates both shade and bright light, requires less frequent watering, and can thrive in temperatures ranging from 15 to 45 degrees Celsius.

10. Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)

Image courtesy of: andriymedvediuk

The Rubber Plant, classified under the genus Ficus in the Moraceae plant family, is native to South Asia. This houseplant has been discovered to effectively eliminate formaldehyde from the air. As a houseplant, it thrives indoors, tolerating both shade and artificial light. It requires less frequent watering and prefers temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius.

11. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Image courtesy of: MargJohnsonVA

The Boston fern, belonging to the Nephrolepidaceae family and the Nephrolepis genus, is native to humid forests and swamps. It is known for its ability to effectively eliminate formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, airborne germs, molds, and bacteria from indoor air. As a houseplant, it thrives in indoor locations, tolerating both shade and artificial light. It requires frequent watering and prefers temperatures ranging from 15 to 35 degrees Celsius.

12. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizi)

Image courtesy of: Natabuena

The Bamboo palm, part of the Chamaedorea genus in the Aceraceae plant family, is one of the 107 species within its genus. This plant thrives in shady and humid conditions, often found growing under trees in rainforests. It is known for its ability to effectively remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene from the air. As a houseplant, it prefers indoor locations and can tolerate shade and artificial light. It requires frequent watering and thrives in temperatures ranging from 10 to 35 degrees Celsius.

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Glow-in-the-dark petunias could usher in a new trend in indoor gardening

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Indoor gardening and plants gained momentum around 2-3 years ago as people sought ways to cope with boredom and insanity while cooped up at home. Since then, it has become fashionable to raise greens inside homes, whether for food, aesthetics, or both. But as captivating as green living things may look during the day, their aesthetic value drops completely when you can no longer see them at night or in the dark. Of course, you could buy one of those hi-tech planters that have built-in lights, but that costs money not just for the product but also for the electricity it consumes. It would definitely be enchanting and magical if the plants could glow on their own, and that’s exactly the marvel that these glowing petunias are bringing to the table, literally.

Designer: Light Bio

There are some things that naturally glow in the dark, and, no, we’re not just talking fireflies and some iridescent rocks. Bioluminescent plants actually occur more often in nature, except they aren’t exactly the type of plants that you’d proudly display in a pot on your shelf or coffee table. But what if you could have that same magical ability on indoor plants and flowers? You’d probably be the talk of your friends and the town for as long as the plant is alive.

The Firefly Petunia is exactly that, a new and regulation-approved breed of the popular garden flower that, if you haven’t caught on yet, glows in the dark. This isn’t the first attempt to breed a bioluminescent houseplant, but it seems to be on track to being to most successful to date. Unlike previous experiments, this first mixed the genes of a glowing mushroom with a tobacco plant to great success. Of course, you wouldn’t want to grow that inside your home, so it’s a good thing that petunias are a close and, more importantly, compatible cousin.

What makes the Firefly Petunia even more special is that it requires no extra care or steps to make it glow since it’s all part of the plant’s growing process. Simply make sure that it gets enough sunlight during the day, which is something you should be doing anyway, and then watch it light up in the dark of night. The bioluminescence can even be an indicator of the plant’s health, because parts that are growing faster, like flower buds, also glow the brightest. When the plant starts to dim, it’s time to check its condition or prune dead parts.

This glow-in-the-dark flower is just the first step in the company’s grand plan, which includes making the petunias glow in more colors other than plain white. Research is also underway to extend the capabilities outside of this species, so it might only be a matter of time before we see all kinds of plants and flowers glowing in the dark, turning your home into a magical garden every night.

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Aesthetic air purifier concept also doubles as a stylish plant pot

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Recent events have made people more concerned about the quality of the air inside their homes, leading to a rise in interest and sales of air purifiers. These appliances, however, haven’t seen much design iteration in the past, which is why many of them look so dated and out of place in modern homes and interiors. Thankfully, that status quo has changed and a new trend is beginning that transforms these cold, impersonal devices into something that looks more at home in your home. Some disguise themselves as pieces of furniture or art objects, while this particular concept functions as a place to grow short plants and flowers, giving a splash of green as it keeps your indoor air green as well.

Designer: Sukchand Saren

In order to maximize airflow and performance, most air purifiers are tall, white boxes or cylinders placed in conspicuous locations, often at the center of a room. This often makes them an eyesore and an obstacle to movement, so some homeowners might end up just storing them away, allowing low-quality air to circulate and put themselves and their families at risk. There isn’t really a need to compromise between function and aesthetics, as this concept tries to prove by fusing air purification with botanical elegance.

FloraPur is technically two separate products designed as one. It is primarily an air purifier, of course, albeit one that is designed for smaller rooms or at least to work in tandem with other similar units spread across the space. Unclean air is sucked into the circular base where it passes through four purification levels, including HEPA, activated carbon, and UV light, before the clean air is blown out of the top half. Given the size of the device, it won’t be effective in large rooms so placing a few of these in strategic locations would be a better idea.

What makes FloraPur different from the majority of air purifiers is its focus on visual appeal without compromising functionality. In addition to this colorful powder-coated metal finish, the container that makes up the bulk of the purifier’s form serves as a convenient pot for growing plants and flowers indoors. The design combines two of the trends that rose during the pandemic, cleaning the air inside while adding natural beauty as well.

Granted, the design also has some shortcomings, not including how it would struggle to cover a very large room on its own. The connection between FloraPur’s two functions is completely superficial, with the plants playing no role in cleaning the air despite being nature’s own air purifiers. And despite having smart features that can monitor air quality around it, the device has no function to monitor the state of the plant growing inside it. The latter shouldn’t be too hard to implement with the right sensors and software algorithms, and a larger air purifier that can house more plants and use those plants to keep the air clean is also possible. All it takes is some creative thinking and ambition to breathe new life and fresh air into an old and tried appliance design.

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