Indoor plants are a great way to purify the air from dust allergies in your home. The cleansing properties of some plants have been confirmed by NASA scientists who have long been engaged in natural ways to clean air in space orbital stations. There are the best indoor plants for dust allergy.
In some experiments, scientists were able to reduce the amount of pollutants by up to 82 percent during the day.
While not a substitute for an air purifier, there are some plants that are better at absorbing chemicals, Allergies, and pollutants in the air.
What are substances that you found at home?
Air pollution is a serious problem for civilization, given that we spend most of our life indoors. Even well-kept apartments contain harmful compounds in the air, which are released from:
- Surrounding equipment;
- Furniture;
- Wall and floor coverings;
- Chemical cleaning agents used;
- Paper towels and handkerchiefs.
Inhaled air may contain:
- Formaldehyde;
- Trichlorethylene;
- Benzene;
- Xylene;
- Ammonia
and other toxic compounds.
Formaldehyde is often found in cosmetics (hairspray, nails, deodorants). Prolonged contact can lead to respiratory system diseases.
Xylene is a component of varnishes, impregnations and other wood products. It can cause a number of diseases, including cancer.
Benzene is one of the most harmful compounds found in adhesives and varnishes.
Each of these substances has a different effect on the body. As a rule, they do not immediately lead to unpleasant health consequences. However, accumulating, in the long term, threaten serious diseases, including:
- Allergy;
- Nervous system disorders;
- Oncology.
If we add to this the harm of radiation from electronic devices, it turns out that a person is not safe even in his own apartment.
Radiation from electrical devices or electromagnetic smog, reduces:
- Concentration of attention;
- The body’s resistance.
Increases the risk of cancer.
Houseplants are able to eliminate toxic substances. Even partially.
Check also Beneficial Plants For Home.
best indoor plants for dust allergy
In addition to using environmental cleaners and frequent ventilation, growing the best indoor plants for dust allergy can reduce the amount of harmful compounds and dust allergy in the air.
Green has been shown to act as a natural filter, deactivating toxic compounds invisible to the naked eye (even tobacco smoke) and waves of electronic devices and plants that cure allergies.
In addition, indoor flowers reduce the harmful effects of microorganisms and allergens. The strength of the impact varies. Almost any plant has a positive effect.
However, some houseplants are better at absorbing toxic compounds. The favorites include the palm family. The presence of at least one representative of this species in the apartment is recommended.
Aloe ver
Aloe is one of the best indoor plants for dust allergy. It is an unpretentious plant that even a beginner can handle growing. A succulent plant that does not require frequent watering.
Eliminates harmful chemicals found in household cleaners, paints such as formaldehyde and benzene.
In addition, it is used as a medicinal and cosmetic plant. Aloe Vera gel accelerates the healing of cuts and burns. Nourishes and moisturizes the skin.
Ivy
A popular vine that absorbs formaldehyde. Easy to grow in a hanging planter or pot. Doesn’t need bright sunlight. Suitable for shaded rooms.
Useful for people with asthma, allergies. The only negative is the poisonous leaves. Be careful if there are small children in the house.
See also How To Care For Houseplants While On Vacation?
Sansevieria
Sansevieria or mother-in-law’s tongue, unlike most plants, which absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during the day, does it at night.
Suitable for dark rooms, does not require frequent watering.
Philodendron
Another attractive, easy-to-grow plant for beginner growers. Known for its ability to absorb formaldehyde.
Do not expose to strong sunlight. It tolerates partial shade and temperatures of 18-24 degrees better.
However, it should not be grown in apartments and houses where there are small children or animals. Produces substances that irritate the mucous membranes, which can lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea or vomiting, and can even be fatal to cats.
Check out Plants for very small pots.
Chlorophytum
With narrow green long leaves. Growing rapidly. Doesn’t require close maintenance. Prefers a bright, but not sunny place.
Chlorophytum absorbs harmful compounds such as formaldehyde and benzene.
Areca
Areca from the palm family. Easy to care for. It owes its attractive appearance to the cane-like stems ending in green feathery leaves.
Place in bright apartments and rooms, but avoid direct sunlight and protect from drafts. The temperature of the content is 18-24 degrees.
It should also be remembered that the soil in the pot must be constantly moist.
Cleans the air from xylene, formaldehyde and toluene, which are often used in the production of:
- Gels;
- Varnishes;
- Sprays;
- Hair dyes.
Suitable for hairdressing and beauty salons.
Spathiphyllum
A flowering houseplant purifies the air of all types of volatile organic compounds, especially benzene and acetone. Benzene can be found in wood waxes, varnishes and paints, while acetone can be found in cleaning products, nail polish removers, or even emitted by electronic devices.
Grows in shady places. Not recommended if there are small children or animals in the house.
Rapis
Looks great in a Scandinavian interior. This palm tree requires keeping in large pots, as it grows to an impressive size.
Cleans the air of high molecular weight compounds, including ammonia, which is often found in cleaning products, dyes, and dyed fabrics.
Take a loot leafy indoor plants.
Fern
Scientifically, nephrolepis is a beautiful, easy-care indoor plant with feathery leaves. Fern, like ivy, removes formaldehyde.
The main thing in growing ferns is regular watering and spraying. Drying of the roots causes the leaves to fall off.
Doesn’t like a transplant. Looks great in wicker baskets hanging from the ceiling.
Dracaena
By purchasing dracaena, purify the air from compounds such as:
- Xylene;
- Trichlorethylene;
- Formaldehyde
which are found in most solvents, paints, sealants.
The plant can grow up to 2 meters in height, but with proper care and planting in a smaller pot, it will not reach such a large size.
Vary in size, leaf shape, and color. Prefers bright, diffused light. Therefore, it should be placed near windows. Small specimens can grow on the windowsills of the north, east and west windows. Species or varieties with colorful leaves are more demanding on lighting.
When growing, regular feeding is important: from spring to autumn. Plants often (every 2-4 years) need to be replaced with larger pots.
Epipremnum golden
Cleans from formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide. Looks great in the interior. The long vine is capable of climbing surfaces, lying along shelves, or hanging from hanging pots. Also one of the easiest to clean. Doesn’t like too much moisture.
Aglaonema
A plant that is not demanding to grow with leaves decorated with original bright patterns and spots. Inhabitant of tropical forests, grows well in indoor conditions, removing xylene and formaldehyde.
Likes bright, but not with direct sunlight, places, temperatures of 20-24 degrees, moist earth and air. In the summer, it is important to remember to water and spray the leaves regularly.
You also need to remember that it contains a highly toxic juice that irritates the mucous membrane, and after entering the body can negatively affect the nervous system, disrupt the work of the heart.
Therefore, gloves should be used when leaving. Do not keep in a home with small children and animals.
Hamedorea graceful
Long-lived palm tree. Removes trichlorethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and carbon monoxide from the air.
Grows in shade or partial shade. Requires regular watering and spraying.
Ficuses
Its attractive appearance, the ability to shape by pruning, and its beneficial cleaning properties make ficus a popular home plant.
Cleans harmful xylenes, formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia and octane.
It’s pretty easy to grow. Requires a place that is not too sunny or too shaded. Does not tolerate temperature extremes. Unfortunately, it cannot be grown in homes with small children and animals. Benjamin’s ficus is especially poisonous.
See also All About Drainage For Houseplants.
Asparagus
A somewhat forgotten houseplant. Removes toxic compounds from the air such as formaldehyde, xylenes, toluene, benzene and trichlorethylene.
Requires bright, but not in direct sunlight, locations.
Hoya
A capricious houseplant from tropical countries with flowers that look like inverted parasols made of wax.
Removes toxic compounds of formaldehyde, benzene and toluene. It blooms when kept in bright light, but not too sunny and without drafts. Spray the leaves gently from time to time.
Tradescantia
Once a favorite plant, today it is not so often found. Unpretentious in cultivation and care. Can stand anywhere. Suitable for bright and shaded areas. Growing rapidly. Shoots can be cut to length as needed.
Date palm
Prized for its exotic tropical look and healthier air. Removes xylene and formaldehyde.
Prefers sunny, but protected from the bright sun places. In summer, you can keep it outdoors, on a balcony, on a terrace. In winter, you need a lighted and warm place where the temperature does not drop below 16 degrees.
Chrysanthemum
Not really an indoor flower. Low-growing varieties are successfully grown on windowsills and balconies.
Chrysanthemum cleans the air from many toxic compounds that are found in city apartments:
- Trichlorethylene;
- Xylene;
- Thulen;
- Formaldehyde;
- Benzene;
- Ammonia.
With proper care, flowering can last up to eight weeks. Water should be regularly watered to keep the soil moist but not too spilled, and set higher so that children or animals cannot reach it.
Azalea
Although azaleas are whimsical to grow, they can be a good choice in the fight for clean air. Absorb chemicals used in the production of furniture materials, during repairs.
Gerbera
Gerberas are familiar with flower bouquets. Bright, with a wide range of color options, they will decorate any room. Grown from seed. Copes with the removal of trichloroethylene.
Begonia
Quite demanding to grow. Loves warm and sunny places, as well as regular feeding and watering. Recommended for those who have time to take care of their plants. In addition to beautiful flowers, it cleans the air from benzene and toluene.
how many plants do you need to purify air?
Apartments and offices in which we spend most of the day emit various kinds of harmful substances. Plants can be trusted to remove these harmful fumes.
In addition, due to the evaporation of water from the leaves and the ground, they help to humidify the air. The green color also soothes and restores the eyes.
For plants to work to improve indoor air, they must be healthy and well cared for.
The effectiveness of the air purification process will depend on the number of plants in the room. It is impossible to say exactly how many pots need to be placed per square meter.
Of course, the larger the plant, the more oxygen it can release. It is assumed that for a room of up to 30 m2, 2 – 3 plants in pots with a minimum diameter of 17 cm are needed.
According to the findings of scientists, 3 large or 6 small indoor plants can reduce the concentration of harmful substances in the room.
