Purify the Air with Plants

Best plants to use for improving indoor air quality: effective in removing

formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air that you breath.

“Green” your Workplace

English IvyBest Plants for Improving Indoor Air Quality

English ivy is an evergreen climbing plant native to most of Europe and western Asia. It is the most common of all ivy species with many different versions.

English Ivy is a very versatile plant that grows well as a ground cover, a climbing plant, or in a container. This plant is also tolerant of air pollution and grows well in shaded areas without direct sunlight.

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Best Plants for Improving Indoor Air Quality

Peace Lily

The Peace Lily is native to the tropical regions of north and south America, as well as, southeastern Asia. It is one of the most popular house plants because of its ability to grow well with little sunlight and water.

In the 1990’s, the peace lily gained popularity as a water plant growing in a glass jar along with a beta fish.

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Best Plants for Improving Indoor Air Quality

Bamboo PalmThe Bamboo Palm, or Reed Palm is a smaller species of Palms with slender, cane-like stems. In their natural habitat, they are found in the understory of rainforests.

This specie of palm generally grows to about 7 feet. Its size makes it an ideal choice for large rooms/offices with very little natural sunlight.

These plants gained their popularity as a houseplant during the victorian era. They are one of the easiest houseplants to care for, requiring minimal maintenance.

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Best Plants for Improving Indoor Air Quality

Chinese EvergreenThe Chinese Evergreen is a versatile, recognizable and widely used indoor plant. It is primarily grown for indoor use and does not typically do well as an outdoor plant.

These plants are highly sensitive to cold temperatures and should be sheltered indoors where they are exposed to suitable temperatures.

Chinese Evergreens are commonly used as an ornamental plant in offices, homes and shopping malls. They grow best when exposed to an environment of indirect sunlight and partial shade.

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Best Plants for Improving Indoor Air Quality

Pot MumThe Pot Mum is a perennial flowering plant native to Asia and Northeastern Europe. The flowers on these plants come in a variety of forms to suit almost any taste,. The flowers can be daisy-like, decorative, pompons or buttons. Traditionally the Pot Mum has yellow flowers, but other colors are available, including white, purple and red.Photograph provided courtesy of CreativeCommons.org

Best Plants for Improving Indoor Air Quality

Gerbera DaisyGerbera is a genius of ornamental plants from the sunflower family. Gerbera is widely popular as a decorative garden plant, or as cut flowers.

They very greatly in size, shape and color. Colors include: white, yellow, orange, red and pink. One little known fact of the gerbera daisy is that often, the same flower can have petals of several different colors.

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Best Plants for Improving Indoor Air Quality

Janet CraigThe Janet Craig is a tropical shrub of the Dracaena genus. It grows as an 8-12 foot unbranched rosette of evergreen leaves. For those who are looking for a smaller plant, The Janet Craig also comes in a “compacta” version which only grows to about 1 foot tall and has small leaves held tight to the stalk.

This particular specie of Dracaena is a popular indoor plant due to its ability to grow in low light and tolerate considerable dryness.

This plant is comfortable at 75 degrees Fahrenheit and requires little water. However, because of the width of its broad leaves, it is more likely to accumulate dust.

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Best Plants for Improving Indoor Air Quality

MarginataThe Marginata is another popular indoor plant, closely related to the Janet Craig. However, make sure that you have plenty of room for this one – it can grow up to 15 feet tall with a long, slender trunk or cane.

Uniquely, these plants can either be grown straight to produce a tall plant with a narrow base, or they can be trained to curve. Several dracaena canes are often planted in the same pot to give the plant a “fuller” look.

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Best Plants for Improving Indoor Air Quality

Corn PlantYet another specie of the Dracaena genus that is particularly well-suited for use indoors is the Corn Plant. This specie can either be grown as a low shrub or as a tree.

Like others in the Dracaena genus, these plants require little sunlight and water, but their broad leaves tend to collect dust and must be wiped down regularly.

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Best Plants for Improving Indoor Air Quality

Mother-in-law’s Tongue

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This plant, also commonly called a “snake plant” is native to tropical west Africa. It is an evergreen perennial plant. In Japan, this plant is also called “Tiger’s Tail.”

In Africa, this plant is used in rituals as a protective charm against evil or bewitchment.

Its popularity as a houseplant has grown due to its tolerance of low light levels and irregular watering. During the winter months, it only requires watering once every couple of months.