Not only do plants somehow liven and brighten up the space they occupy, but certain plants can actually help keep your home clean by purifying the air that you and your family breathe every day. This in turn improves your general wellness and vitality.
First is a list of common houseplants; most of them are easy to maintain, and second is a short detailed explanation of the toxins they fight against.
Which houseplants should you choose?
Peace Lily – Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’
The peace lily doesn’t need loads of light or water to survive. Its large leaves and white flowers are mildly toxic to humans and animals if ingested so keep that in mind when considering its cleansing properties.
- Benzene
- Formaldehyde
- Trichloroethylene
- Xylene
- Ammonia
Florist’s Chrysanthemum – Chrysanthemum morifolium
Better known as the garden mum, this perennial can survive being waters only a few times a week, but it prone to catching various plant diseases like leaf spots, rust, mildew, and rot. Luckily she’s worth the trouble, cleaning everything below from the air in your home.
- Benzene
- Formaldehyde
- Trichloroethylene
- Xylene
- Ammonia
English Ivy – Hedera helix
This clingy vine is easy to grow and loves to climb. Because of its invasive nature, English ivy is banned from sell or import in Oregon. Even though this rampant and often overbearing plant doesn’t get much love, it’s still responsible for removing these hazards from your air.
- Benzene
- Formaldehyde
- Trichloroethylene
- Xylene
Snake Plant – Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’
The perfect plant for the bathroom as this guy will thrive in the humid and steam-filled climate. Low light is not an issue either. Also known as the mother-in-law’s tongue, this plant has tall stiff leaves that grow vertically. Thriving on neglect, this plant cleans the following from your air.
- Carbon Dioxide
- Formaldehyde
- Benzene
Spider Plant – Chlorophytum comosum
This plant is hardy and resilient, with tiny white flowers and long narrow leaves. This plant is also called hens and chickens because the flowers initially occur in clusters along the long stems. This house plant will battle the follow-
- Benzene
- Formaldehyde
- Carbon monoxide
- Xylene
What are these toxins?
So above we have talked about the toxins the houseplants can remove, but where to do these toxins come from? Here is some more information about each of those toxins to help you understand.
Benzene
A colorless, sweet-smelling, highly flammable component of gasoline, benzene can be found in glues, paints, furniture wax, detergents, and tobacco smoke. Benzene increases cancer risks and is a notorious cause of bone marrow troubles.
Formaldehyde
Commonly used in nail hardeners or varnish, formaldehyde is known to be a human carcinogen. It’s also used in sanitary paper products, tissues, paper towels, and tampons.
Trichloroethylene
Clear, sweet-smelling, and bears a variety of trade names. Commonly used as a dry cleaning solvent in the past, but the major use was to extract vegetable oils from plants. Another commonplace it’s found in drinking water.
Xylene
Found in nail polish, paints, wood stains, and rubber and plastic cement, Xylene causes a number of gastrointestinal problems, among many other things.
Ammonia
One of the most widely produced chemicals in the US, the most common form of exposure is from breathing in gas or vapours. It can be found in cleaning products, but it does exist naturally as well. Ammonia is corrosive, and the severity of the toll it can take on you and your family will depend entirely upon exposure.
