The Best Houseplants for a Healthy Home

Research suggests that reducing pollutants in our homes can be as simple as purchasing a few houseplants. Plants provide a natural, cost effective way to clean indoor air and combat "sick-building syndrome". For example, in a 24-hour period, a spider plant can remove 80% of formaldehyde pollutants from an enclosed room.

A Little Botany

Virtually all plants are powerful air cleaners. Carbon dioxide enters the leaves, through complex chemical reactions the process of photosynthesis takes place, and oxygen is released into the air.

More simply put, the plant acts as a filter by removing pollutants from the air and replacing the air with oxygen in a more pure form. When airborne pollutants interfere with the exchange of gases, symptoms such as burning eyes, itchy throat or other respiratory problems begin to appear.

The Pollutants and Their Antidotes

The three harmful pollutants commonly found in today's homes are benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene (TCE). It is estimated that 15 to 20 houseplants can purify the interior of an 1,800 square foot house.

Here's the lowdown on these pollutants and the plants that combat them:

Benzene:

Benzene is a commonly-used solvent and is found in tobacco smoke, gasoline, inks, oils, paint, plastic, and rubber. It's also used in the manufacture of detergents, pharmaceuticals, and dyes. Exposure to benzene can cause dizziness, nervousness, headaches, and anemia; and it irritates both the eyes and skin.

Plants that remove benzene are: Gerbera Daisy, Chrysanthemum, Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily), Chamaedorea sefritzii (Bamboo Palm), Dracaena 'Warneckei', Hedera helix (English ivy), and Sansevieria (Snake Plant).

Formaldehyde:

Formaldehyde is found in virtually in all indoor environments. Major sources include insulation, particleboard, and paper products. Many cleaning products also contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde irritates the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory system and can increase risk of asthma.

Plants that remove formaldehyde are: Chamaedorea sefritzii (Bamboo Palm), Dracaena 'Janet Craig', Sansevieria (Snake Plant), Dracaena Marginata, Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily), Chlorophytum (Spider Plant), Epipiremnum aureum (Golden Pothos), and Philodendron scandens `oxycardium' (Heartleaf Philodendron).

Trichloroethylene (TCE):

Trichloroethylene has a wide variety of industrial uses. It is used in inks, paints, varnishes, and adhesives.

Plants that remove trichloroethylene are: Gerbera daisy, Chrysanthemum, Dracaena Marginata, Spathiphyllum (Peace lily), Dracaena 'Janet Craig', and Chamaedorea (Bamboo Palm).

Purifying Plants

Most of the plants listed below evolved in tropical or sub-tropical forests, where they received only light filtered through the taller trees. Over time these air-cleaning plants adapted to lower light conditions, so most of them are perfectly suited to the light conditions we can offer them in our homes.

Aglaonema modestum (Chinese evergreen)

• One of the easiest houseplants to grow and tolerates low light
• Water thoroughly and let the soil dry out between watering

Chamaedorea sefritzii (Bamboo Palm)

• Thrives in medium to bright light and likes average room temperatures with lots of humidity
• From Spring to Fall, water well and then moderately during Winter

Chrysanthemum

• Keep them cool and moist
• If in bud, fertilize every two weeks

Chlorophytum comosum (Spider Plant)

• Likes average temperatures with bright light, but can tolerate medium light
• Water thoroughly and let the soil dry out between watering

Dracaena 'Janet Craig' (Corn Plant), Dracaena `Warneckii' (Striped Dracaena)

• Prefers bright light, but not direct sun
• Water thoroughly Spring through Winter and let the soil dry out between watering

Dracaena marginata (Red-edged Dracaena)

• Easy to grow in bright to medium light, average home temperatures

Epipiremnum aureum (Golden Pothos)

• Climbing or trailing vine
• An excellent choice for less than optimum conditions because it tolerates low light and infrequent watering

Gerbera Daisy

• Indoors requires bright light to flower
• Keep soil slightly moist

Hedera helix (English Ivy)

• Prefers temperatures from 18.5°C in the day to 7°C at night
• Water thoroughly and let the soil dry out between watering

Philodendron scandens 'oxycardium' (Heartleaf Philodendron)

• Easy to grow, happy in home temperatures and humidity
• Good for low light situations
• Let soil dry out between watering

Sansevieria trifasciata (Snake Plant)

• This plant tolerates almost any amount of neglect, but with a little attention can be lovely
• Does well in all light situations
• Do not over-water

Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily)

• Easy to grow
• Tolerates low light conditions and blooms in medium light conditions
• Keep soil slightly moist