During the cold winter months, it’s only natural to lock the house up air tight, start (or turn on) the fireplace, and hibernate for a while. The good thing about this is that it’s comforting, the bad thing is that it traps all of that air in the house, without new fresh air circulating in. With all of the off-gasing products and finishes in your home, indoor air can be up to 10 times more toxic than outdoor air – yuck. If you don’t want to waste your heat or freeze your buns off and open the windows for a little bit, what is a girl supposed to do? You can try a plug in air purifier, or you can try getting yourself a few indoor plants to purify the air. There are actually quite a few indoor plants to purify the air that are common and easy to find and incorporate into your home décor. And, who doesn’t love a little green in their home to make you feel like spring is at least somewhere on the horizon.
My Picks for the Best Indoor Plants to Purify the Air
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These are the indoor plants that I like to have around. They are relatively easy to find and I haven’t managed to kill them…yet. J
Boston Fern
Ferns are a pretty common and well-known house plant. They are easy to find at most home improvement stores and garden centers. They do a great job at removing formaldehyde from the air, but they do require a bit of maintenance. You will have to water and feed frequently, and mist the leaves so they don’t turn brown.
Rubber Plants
If you want something a little less finicky, try a rubber plant. They are interesting looking and are great for office environments that don’t get a lot of natural sunlight. They do grow slower than most, but they also do a wonderful job removing formaldehyde from the air.
Peace Lily
Not just for the Easter season, peace lilies are a pretty option if you would prefer something that blooms, but yet looks elegant. It will bloom indoors and add much needed humidity to the air during the colder months. It also removes benzene, VOC’s and formaldehyde from the air. The leaves can be poisonous to kids and/or pets, so be careful where you place it.
Palm Trees
For a more tropical flare, consider different varieties of palm trees. One of the more common options are bamboo palms. They also remove formaldehyde and benzene, while also keeping the air moist. You can also look at Dwarf Date Palm, Areca Palm, Parlor Palms, or Lady Palms. Most palms are also easy to care for.
Flowering
If you want something a little showier with pretty color, consider Mums, Gerbera Daisies or Tulips. Flowering plants will require more work, with regular, careful watering and feeding, while also trimming away wilting flowers. These flowering plants are also good at removing formaldehyde and you can even try to transplant them outside once the winter is over.
English Ivy
If you are looking for a plant that is easy to grow and hard to kill, English Ivy is your best bet. You will usually see English Ivy outside climbing up houses. It is actually an invasive species that grows easily and can even wreak havoc on your property if it is not kept in check. If you bring it indoors, however, it is an excellent formaldehyde remover that can be grown into decorative topiaries or let to grow along shelves or the tops of cabinets. Give it some sun from time to time and water it regularity and it will be good to go. This one can also be poisonous to kids and pets, so keep it out of reach.
Getting one or two indoor plants to purify the air is an easy step in making your home just a little bit healthier. With all of the nasty bugs that go around during the winter months, I like to think every little bit counts. And, it looks good, so why not!
If you want to do a little more research, there are a zillions books on the market that can help, or contact your local garden center for advice. If you want to make your indoor air smell better, check out my post 10 Natural Air Freshener Hacks for Your Home.
