Introduction
Bringing plants indoors has long been known to purify air, uplift energy, and promote the principles of feng shui. The idea that plants can filter toxins and provide clean, healthy air dates back centuries in ancient Hindu, Egyptian, and Chinese traditions. Modern science has confirmed these ancient beliefs.
In the 1980s, NASA conducted studies to find ways to purify air for extended space missions. They tested how effectively certain plants could remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from sealed test chambers. The studies found many common houseplants efficiently filter and metabolize air pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.
Beyond cleansing the air, plants bring the energy and life force of nature into living and work spaces. Flowing greens and bursts of colorful flowers enliven any indoor environment. The wood and water elements also help balance spaces in feng shui. Thoughtfully arranging plants can promote positive chi and create a sense of tranquility in a home or office.
Plants Improve Indoor Air Quality
Research by NASA in the 1980s demonstrated how effectively houseplants can purify the air in indoor spaces. NASA scientists found that certain plants are able to remove toxic agents such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air through a process called phytoremediation. This involves the plants absorbing these pollutants through their leaves and roots.
Having these types of plants in your home or office helps bring nature indoors. Plants breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen through photosynthesis. This process of air purification helps create cleaner, fresher indoor air. The presence of plants can also have a calming effect and improve mood and concentration by connecting us to living things and the natural world. With their lush greenery and vital energy, plants are a simple way to bring more positive chi into a space according to feng shui principles.
Top Air-Purifying Plants
According to feng shui principles, certain plants are believed to purify and circulate air energy. Here are some of the top air-purifying plants to consider:
Pothos
Pothos, also known as devil’s ivy, is one of the easiest houseplants to grow. It requires medium light and only occasional watering. The thick, heart-shaped leaves of pothos help remove formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants from indoor air. Trailing vines can be trained to climb or allowed to cascade from shelves or hanging baskets.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant has waxy, oval-shaped leaves that are nearly impossible to kill. It tolerates low light and infrequent watering, making it an ideal choice for beginners or frequent travelers. The ZZ plant helps filter out benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from indoor spaces. Place it in a corner or display its shiny foliage in a decorative pot.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
A popular instagram plant, the fiddle leaf fig features large, vibrant leaves in the shape of a violin. It thrives in bright, indirect light and moist soil. The fiddle leaf fig is excellent at removing common VOCs like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from indoor air. Its broad leaves act like green lungs, purifying the air while adding style with dramatic fronds.
Snake Plant
One of the top plants for improving indoor air quality, the snake plant (or mother-in-law’s tongue) is nearly impossible to kill and adapts to low light conditions. It helps filter out nasty toxins like formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and benzene. The snake plant has stiff, pointed leaves with yellow borders that can grow quite tall. Use it as a floor plant or tabletop accent.
Gerbera Daisy
Known for their bright, cheerful flowers, gerbera daisies also happen to be champion air-purifiers. They help remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and ammonia from indoor spaces. Gerbera daisies need several hours of direct sunlight per day. Display their colorful blooms in sunny windows or grow them on porches and patios. Replace plants regularly, as older gerbera daisies are less effective at purifying air.
More Top Air-Purifying Plants
Rubber Plant
The rubber plant, also known as the rubber tree, is an evergreen tree native to tropical regions of Asia. It gets its name from the latex that oozes from cuts in the bark. The rubber plant has large, glossy leaves that can help filter indoor air. It thrives in bright, indirect light and moderately moist soil. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. The rubber plant prefers average room temperatures around 65-75°F.
Moth Orchid
The moth orchid is an easy-to-grow houseplant with colorful flowers that bloom once or twice a year. Native to tropical Asia, this epiphytic orchid grows on other plants and objects in nature. The moth orchid removes xylene, a common indoor pollutant, from the air. It thrives in bright, indirect light. Water 1-2 times per week, allowing the potting mix to almost completely dry out between waterings. Ideal temperatures are 65-85°F.
Spider Plant
The spider plant is a classic houseplant with long, blade-like leaves that form a mound. Spider plants are excellent at removing formaldehyde, xylene, carbon monoxide and other pollutants from indoor air. Native to tropical and southern Africa, spider plants thrive in average room temperatures and bright, indirect light. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Brown tips indicate overwatering. Spider plants propagate easily from plantlets that form on flowering stems.
Swiss Cheese Plant
The Swiss cheese plant, also called split-leaf philodendron, has large, heart-shaped leaves with distinctive splits. The splits allow more surface area for absorbing air pollutants like formaldehyde. Provide bright, indirect light. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Mist the leaves regularly to increase humidity. Ideal temperatures are 60-75°F. Protect from cold drafts.
Peace Lily
The peace lily is a popular houseplant known for its ability to purify indoor air. It removes pollutants like trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde. Peace lilies thrive in medium to bright, indirect light. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Drooping leaves indicate under-watering. Ideal temperatures are 65-75°F. Avoid cold drafts. The peace lily produces flowers in the spring and summer.
Caring for Air-Purifying Plants
While air-purifying plants can help create a healthy indoor environment, they do require some care and attention to thrive. Most air-purifying plants need a few basic things:
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Moist, well-drained soil – Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings, then water thoroughly until it drains out the bottom. The soil should not be constantly wet or soggy. Well-draining potting soil rich in organic matter is ideal.
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Bright, filtered light – Most air-purifying plants do best in bright, indirect sunlight. Direct hot sunlight can scorch their leaves. Near an east or west facing window is often a good spot.
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Moderate watering – Take cues from the plant and soil when watering. Water whenever the top of the soil feels dry to the touch. The frequency depends on factors like sunlight, temperature, humidity, plant size, and pot material. Most indoor plants need watering about once a week.
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Good drainage – Make sure pots have drainage holes so excess water can easily drain out. Saucers can catch drainage and protect surfaces. Avoid leaving plants sitting in water.
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Adequate humidity – Many tropical plants prefer 40-50% humidity, which can be increased with pebble trays or humidifiers. Mist leaves occasionally if the air is very dry.
With the right care and conditions, air-purifying plants can thrive indoors for many years while improving air quality!
Pothos Care
Native to the tropics, the pothos plant thrives in warm indoor temperatures. Pothos grows best in bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves.
Water pothos when the top inch of soil feels dry. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. The thick, waxy leaves store water so the plant can tolerate some drought. But prolonged dryness will cause yellowing leaves.
Pothos enjoys high humidity. Mist the leaves or use a pebble tray to provide moisture. Too much water will lead to root rot. Allow excess water to drain from the pot.
As a climbing vine, pothos looks stunning trailing from a hanging basket or climbing a moss pole. Prune back any leggy stems or cuttings to propagate new plants. Wipe broad pothos leaves with a damp cloth to keep them dust-free.
ZZ Plant Care
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is one of the best low-maintenance air-purifying plants. It thrives in low light conditions and only needs infrequent watering. Here are some tips for caring for ZZ plants:
Light Requirements
The ZZ plant is extremely tolerant of low-light conditions. It can survive in shady spots and even dark corners of a room. Bright, indirect light is ideal, but ZZ plants can adapt to less than perfect lighting.
Watering
Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. ZZ plants prefer a drying out period in between waterings. The tubers store water, so overwatering is a bigger concern than underwatering. Only water when the top inch or two of soil becomes dry.
Overwatering
ZZ plants are prone to root rot if overwatered. Water less frequently in winter when growth slows. If overwatered, allow the plant to dry out completely before watering again. Yellow leaves often indicate overwatering.
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Fiddle Leaf Fig Care
Fiddle leaf figs are among the most popular houseplants due to their large, gorgeous leaves. Native to tropical rainforests, they appreciate warm temperatures and high humidity.
Fiddle leaf figs need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive indoors. Place them near an east or west facing window where they’ll get plenty of light without full sun exposure. Direct sun can scorch their leaves.
Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Water less frequently in winter when growth slows. The leaves will start to droop when the plant needs a drink. Always water thoroughly until it runs out the drainage holes to soak the entire root zone.
Mist the fiddle leaf fig regularly or use a pebble tray to provide humidity. The leaves can brown along the edges when the air is too dry. Group other houseplants nearby to raise the ambient humidity around your fiddle leaf fig.
Snake Plant Care
The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is one of the most popular and hardy indoor plants. Native to tropical West Africa, it thrives on neglect and adapts well to low light conditions. Here are some care tips for keeping your snake plant healthy:
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Light: Snake plants tolerate low light conditions better than most houseplants. They can thrive in bright indirect light or even in rooms with minimal natural light. Avoid direct sunlight which may scorch their leaves.
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Water: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. The most common cause of death for snake plants is overwatering. Always check to make sure the soil is dry before adding any more water. When watering, thoroughly soak the soil until water runs out the drainage holes at the bottom.
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Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix, adding in sand or perlite if needed to improve drainage. Make sure the pot has holes at the bottom to prevent soggy soil.
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Temperature & Humidity: Snake plants prefer warm temperatures between 60-80°F and do best in average home humidity. Avoid cold drafts.
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Fertilizer: Fertilize a few times during the active growing season in spring and summer using a balanced houseplant fertilizer. Reduce feeding in fall and winter months.
With proper care, the snake plant is an easy, resilient, and low-maintenance air-purifying plant for any home. Just be sure not to overwater and allow plenty of time between waterings for the soil to dry out.
Conclusion
Indoor air quality is an important aspect of health and wellness that is often overlooked. As discussed, certain plants have natural air-purifying abilities that can remove toxins and pollutants from the air. Adding these plants to your home or office can provide cleaner, fresher air as well as an aesthetic boost.
The top air-purifying plants recommended were pothos, ZZ plant, fiddle leaf fig, snake plant, peace lily and others. These plants filter out harmful VOCs, benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and more through their leaves and soil. Their different sizes and care needs make them suitable for a range of indoor spaces.
Incorporating more plants into your environment creates a living ecosystem with benefits beyond air purification. Plants boost mood, reduce stress, increase creativity and productivity. Their natural beauty enhances any decor. With proper light, water and drainage, air-purifying plants thrive indoors while enhancing health and quality of life. A few simple plants can make a big difference in air purity.
