House plants as a living air purifier

Even if you use a HEPA air filter or an ionic air purifier, much difference can still be made by many common house plants, which act as a living air purifier. With an exception of an activated carbon filter, common indoor air filters, such as HEPA or ionizers, totally miss the toxic household gases, such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and volatile organic gases (VOG). Similar to an activated carbon filter, living house plants remove polluting gases from the indoor air by absorbing them.

The air purifying effect of the green plants was studied extensively by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, when developing life support systems for space stations. The research has shown that many common house plants can clean air from toxic gases, such as formaldehyde, benzene, volatile organic gases (VOG), and others.

For example, the spider plant and golden pothos clean air from carbon monoxide. The infamous formaldehyde, which is emitted everywhere by plastic items, particle board or pressed wood furniture, carpeting and construction materials, can be reduced by ficus, aloe vera, fig trees, spider plant, and elephant ear philodendron. VOGs can be absorbed by the banana tree.

House plants are particularly effective as a living air purifier in enclosed spaces, such as some kitchens.

Finally, note that not all plants are good as indoor air cleaners. Many house plants can actually be toxic themselves. Examples of toxic plants include nightshade, creeping charlie, foxglove, oleander, sago plant, privet, rhododendron, umbrella plant, ivy, ripple ivy, sweet pea, vinca, spider mum, and poinsettia.

Ionic air purifier and air ionizer for silent indoor air cleaning
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