Improving Indoor Air Quality With Plants

A NASA study shows that plants can help clean indoor air quality and absorb potentially harmful gases indoors and states that “house plants can purify and rejuvenate air within our houses and workplaces, safeguarding us all from any side effects connected with prevalent toxins such as formaldehyde, ammonia and also benzene.” These side effects from homes and workplaces is commonly called the "sick building syndrome".

The top 15 plants most effective in removing Formaldehyde, Benzene, Carbon Monoxide, and Trichloroethylene from the air are listed below. Underlined plants remove all 3 toxins.

1. Pot mum-chrysanthemum

2. Gerbera Daisy

3.`Massangeana'-cornstalk dracaena

4. Hedera helix, English ivy

5. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

6. Janet Craig dracaena

7. Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii', Warneck dracaena

8. Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)

9. Epipiremnum aureum, golden pothos

10. Peace Lily
11. Philodendron selloum, selloum philodendron

12. Chinese evergreen

13. Bamboo or reed palm 

14. Snake plant 

15. Dracaena marginata , red-edged dracaena

Formaldehyde is in almost every household and can be harmful. It can be found in:

• foam insulation/particle board
• grocery bags, tissues, and paper towels
• many common household cleaning products
• carpet backings and adhesive binders and glues
• water repellants and wrinkle resisters

For more information on air cleaning plants and the NASA study, visit:
http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/Spinoff2007/ps_3.html
http://www.zone10.com/nasa-study-house-plants-clean-air.html
Photo from: <p><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net">Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net</a></p>