Plants are not only a beautiful addition to any home, but can also be used to take away unwanted toxins.
"There's an array of plants with an array of different chemicals and toxins that they attack, from tobacco to coal to benzene, which you find in paints to formaldehyde," explained Chelsea Garden Center Owner David Protell.
Through their leaves, certain plants absorb vapors – bringing them down into the roots, where they are expelled into the soil.
To clear smoke from the air, you may want to purchase a cast iron plant.
"In Eduarda, England the Aspidistra plant, which is also known as a cast iron plant, was used to filter coal and tobacco smoke out of the house," said Protell. "To this day, it is a wonderful house plant, because it grows with almost no direct light and is a very easy to care for."
One of the most common houseplants is the Boston Fern, which is useful because it absorbs formaldehyde often found in new carpets.
To rid the air of the chemicals released by cleaning products, you may want to try a lady palm.
"The lady palm is also known as Rhapis Excelsa. It's a low-light palm and it has the ability to remove ammonia from the air, which means if you spend the day cleaning the house, this is a wonderful plant to have," said Protell.
If you like flowering plants, the peace lily and the gerber daisy are great for absorbing benzene, which is found in everything from cleaners to plastics to paint.
Then, there are some that are general air purifiers that remove multiple toxins.
"Other great plants that are easily recognized are the great leaf ivy, both the green leave and variegated. The snake plant will live in absolute darkness and only takes watering once a week," said Protell. "The philodendron and, of course, the dracaena marginata will both work to filter the air and improve the quality of the life in your homes."
Where you put the plant can also make a difference. It may look best in the corner of your living room, but you want to make sure you actually have the plant where you live and work. Protell advises putting a small one next to your bed or on your desk, this way it's sure to purify the air where you are.
- Jill Scott
August 11, 2008
Plants Can Serve As Attractive Air Purifiers
Jill Scott
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