Air Purifying Plants

Hey there eco-friendos! Let me  put on my green thumb hat and tell you something really freaking cool.

Did you know that you can use houseplants to totally transform the air quality in your home or office space? I know, isn't that the coolest thing ever? And I'm not talking about just having a couple of pretty plants sitting around. I'm talking about strategically placing specific plants around your space to literally purify the air you breathe. How cool is that?

Okay, so here's the deal. We spend a ridiculous amount of time indoors these days, right? And the air inside our homes and offices can be loaded with all sorts of nasty stuff like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful chemicals. It's a serious problem, but luckily, there's a totally natural and incredibly effective solution: houseplants!

These amazing green wonders act as living air purifiers, not only making your space look awesome but also improving the quality of the air you breathe. It's a win-win situation!

So, let's dive into the science behind this plant-powered air purification. Plants are like these magical beings that absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through this process called photosynthesis. But that's not all they do. Certain plants are also incredibly skilled at absorbing pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene, which are commonly found in household products and furnishings.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "What the heck are these VOCs you keep talking about?" Well, let me break it down for you. The specific VOCs you should be most concerned about in your home are:

1. Formaldehyde: This nasty stuff is found in pressed-wood products, household cleaners, and tobacco smoke. It can cause respiratory issues and skin irritation. Not cool.
2. Benzene: This chemical is present in paints, plastics, and cigarette smoke. Exposure to benzene can lead to dizziness and headaches. No thanks.
3. Trichloroethylene: Used in dry cleaning and metal degreasing, this chemical is a known carcinogen. Definitely not something you want to be breathing in.
4. Xylene: Found in paints, adhesives, and cleaning products, xylene can cause headaches, dizziness, and respiratory issues. Talk about a triple threat.
5. Toluene: Also present in paints, adhesives, and cleaning products, toluene can cause similar issues like headaches, dizziness, and respiratory problems.

These VOCs can come from all sorts of sources in your home, like furniture and building materials, household cleaning products, paints and adhesives, tobacco smoke, and even dry cleaning and metal degreasing products. It's crazy how many places these things can hide!

Air Purifiying Plants Proven To Work

But fear not, my eco-conscious friends, because I've got a list of some seriously effective plants that will help you purify the air in your space like a boss. Check these out:

1. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.): These beauties are known for their elegant white flowers and their ability to remove toxins like ammonia and trichloroethylene. They thrive in low-light conditions, so they're perfect for various indoor environments.
2. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): With its cool arching leaves, the spider plant is a formaldehyde-fighting machine. It's super easy to care for and even produces these cute little plantlets that you can propagate. How awesome is that?
3. Snake Plant (Sansevieria spp.): These tough guys have tall, upright leaves and are excellent at filtering out formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene. They don't need a lot of light or water, which makes them perfect for all you busy folks out there.
4. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata): Boston ferns are like the superheroes of removing formaldehyde and xylene. Their lush, green foliage will add some serious jungle vibes to your space while improving the air quality.
5. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): This trailing vine is a formaldehyde and carbon monoxide-busting champion. Its cascading vines look amazing in hanging baskets, and it's super easy to care for.
6. Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii): Not only do these guys have insanely vibrant blooms, but they also remove trichloroethylene from the air. They like bright, indirect light and moderate watering.
7. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica): With their large, glossy leaves, rubber plants are formaldehyde-fighting champs. They love bright, indirect light and need moderate watering.

NASA Study of Indoor Air Purifying Plants

Now, you might be thinking, this all sounds great, but is there any real science to back this up?" Well, let me tell you about this groundbreaking study that NASA did back in the 1980s. They wanted to find out which plants were the best at purifying air in sealed environments, so they could use them in space stations and stuff.

The study was led by this brilliant scientist named Dr. Bill Wolverton, and they tested 19 different plants to see how well they could remove VOCs and other pollutants from the air. They did the research at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, and the results were mind-blowing!

They put the plants in these sealed chambers and exposed them to various VOCs like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. And guess what? Some of these plants were like air-purifying ninjas! For example, the peace lily removed up to 79% of benzene and 61% of trichloroethylene from the air in just 24 hours. How insane is that?

The study also found that other plants like the spider plant, snake plant, and Boston fern were super effective at removing VOCs. They were able to remove all sorts of pollutants like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene using air purifying plants.

Here are some of the key findings from the NASA study:

• The peace lily was one of the most effective plants at removing VOCs, especially benzene and trichloroethylene.
• The spider plant kicked butt at removing formaldehyde and xylene from the air.
• The snake plant was a total boss at removing formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
• The Boston fern was like a formaldehyde and xylene-eliminating machine.
• The study found that having just one plant per 100 square feet can make a huge difference in air quality.

So, what does this all mean for you? Well, the NASA study shows that plants are an incredibly effective and totally natural way to remove VOCs and other pollutants from the air. This is a big deal, especially in indoor environments where these nasty chemicals can build up and cause all sorts of health problems.

By adding plants to your indoor spaces, you can create a healthier environment and reduce the risk of health issues caused by VOCs. The study also shows how important it is to choose the right plants for your space, since different plants are better at removing different pollutants.

The really cool thing is that the NASA study has been used in all sorts of real-life settings, like office buildings, homes, and even hospitals. There was this one case study in an office building where they added a bunch of plants, and it actually reduced the symptoms of "sick building syndrome," like headaches and respiratory issues. The employees even said they felt better and were more productive. How cool is that?

What Does This Mean For Us

At your home, you can use plants to improve air quality and create a healthier environment. By picking the right plants and putting them in the right spots, you can basically create your own natural air-purifying system that takes out VOCs and other pollutants from the air.

So, if you want to get the most out of your air-purifying plants, here are some tips for putting them in your space:

Strategic Placement

To really maximize the air purification, put plants in high-traffic areas like living rooms and bedrooms. Also, think about spaces where there might be more pollutants, like kitchens and rooms with carpeting.

Light Requirements 

Different plants have different light needs. Some do great in low light, while others need direct sunlight. Make sure you put your plants in the right spots based on their light requirements, and if you need to, you can always use artificial grow lights.

Quantity of Plants

Based on what NASA found, having at least one plant per 100 square feet can make a big difference in air quality. But if you have a bigger space or more pollutants, you might need even more plants.

Does This Really Work? 

Now, let me share some real-life success stories with you. There was this one office building that added a bunch of plants, and they saw a huge reduction in "sick building syndrome" symptoms like headaches and respiratory issues. The employees even said they felt better and were more productive!

And in homes, people who added a variety of houseplants reported some seriously impressive improvements in air quality and even a reduction in allergy symptoms. By putting plants in strategic spots, they were able to maximize the benefits and enjoy fresher, cleaner air.

So, my green-loving friends, houseplants are like these incredible tools in the fight against indoor air pollution. By strategically placing a variety of plants throughout your home, you can create a healthier environment and enjoy the added perks of having some natural beauty around. As we keep learning more about how plants and air quality work together, it's becoming crystal clear just how important these green buddies are.

Why not start your own indoor garden today and breathe in all the benefits of nature's air purifiers? By putting these tips and tricks into action in your indoor spaces, you're not just improving air quality, but you're also contributing to a more sustainable and harmonious living environment. Whether you're a total plant pro or just starting out, the journey to a cleaner, greener home is totally doable.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there, get some plants, and start purifying that air like a boss! Trust me, your lungs (and your green thumb) will thank you.