Daily Detox: Indoor Plants for Cleaner Air
February 23, 2008 by Ali
Filed under Green Living
Houseplants are a simple, inexpensive way to help boost indoor air quality. They help clear pollutants and toxins from the air and moderate humidity indoors. Here’s a list of the most effective plants for removing indoor air pollutants, from a study by NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA):
Philodendron scandens `oxycardium’, heartleaf philodendron
Philodendron domesticum, elephant ear philodendron
Dracaena fragrans `Massangeana’, cornstalk dracaena
Hedera helix, English ivy
Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant
Dracaena deremensis `Janet Craig’, Janet Craig dracaena
Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii’, Warneck dracaena
Ficus benjamina, weeping fig
Epipiremnum aureum, golden pothos
Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa’, peace lily
Philodendron selloum, selloum philodendron
Aglaonema modestum, Chinese evergreen
Chamaedorea sefritzii, bamboo or reed palm
Sansevieria trifasciata, snake plant
Dracaena marginata , red-edged dracaena
*If you’ve got pets, keep them safe from toxic plants by checking the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center to see which plants to avoid.
You can read the full study here (PDF).
Having plants around is a mental detox for me. Coming home to a house filled with lush green gives me that “away from it all” moment as soon as I walk through the door. And now I know my plants are helping me physically detox as well! I just received a newsletter on this very subject (natural detox) that is worth a read for even more detox tips as well as a list of common toxins (more than you think) and how to avoid them…. Purging the poisons: how to support natural body detoxification