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Having indoor plants is an excellent way to improve the quality of air in your home or office. If you are looking for ways to improve the air quality and oxygen levels within your indoor spaces, keep reading. This article lists plants that can improve indoor air quality by removing harmful toxins and pollutants while providing ample oxygen levels.
Let’s look at 18 plants that not only add aesthetics but are natural air purifiers that clean air to boost the oxygen levels in your indoor spaces.
How Polluted is Indoor Air?
Most often we don’t think about it, but the fact remains that oxygen is one of the most essential elements required for the sustenance of life. It’s a gas that we breathe in to power our body’s cells, converts food into energy, and perform various biological functions. Science points out how critical oxygen is for cellular respiration, metabolism, and energy production in living organisms.
Unfortunately, the air we breathe indoors can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside, as indoor air can be contaminated by dust, mold, bacteria, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can negatively impact our health. This can lead to various respiratory problems, allergies, and other health issues such as headaches and allergies. This makes clean air essential for human health and well-being. Clean air ensures we breathe in only the purest form of oxygen, free from harmful pollutants and contaminants.
One of the most effective ways to have clean air that boosts oxygen is to have indoor plants that not only add aesthetics to your indoor spaces but can naturally improve air quality and increase oxygen levels inside our homes and offices.
Choosing the right plants that can absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants from the air is becoming a popular way to ensure clean air indoors. The right plants can release oxygen during photosynthesis, improving air quality and purifying the air we breathe.
Let’s take a look at 18 best indoor plants that are highly effective for cleaning air and boosting oxygen.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Also known as “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue,” this plant is highly effective at removing formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and trichloroethylene from the air. It releases oxygen at night, making it ideal for the bedroom.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
This hardy plant is easy to grow and highly effective at removing formaldehyde and xylene from the air. It also releases oxygen and improves humidity levels.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
This beautiful plant not only removes pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene but also removes mold spores from the air. It releases oxygen and increases humidity levels, making it ideal for the bedroom.
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
This succulent plant is easy to care for and highly effective at removing formaldehyde and benzene from the air. It is also popular for releasing oxygen during the night.
Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
This trailing vine is highly effective at removing formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from the air. It’s also easy to grow and makes an attractive addition to any space.
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
This palm tree is highly effective at removing indoor air pollutants and toxins. It releases moisture into the air, making it ideal for dry indoor environments.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
This fern is highly effective at removing formaldehyde and xylene from the air. It releases moisture and oxygen into the air, making it ideal for improving indoor air quality.
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastic)
This low-maintenance plant is highly effective at removing formaldehyde from the air. It’s also a natural air humidifier and releases oxygen during the day.
Dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
This plant is highly effective at removing chemicals and toxins from the air. It releases oxygen and is an excellent natural air purifier.
Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
This palm tree is highly effective at removing indoor air pollutants and it releases moisture into the air, making it ideal for dry indoor environments.
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Ivy also removes benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene from indoor air spaces making it an excellent choice for improving indoor air quality.
Tillandsia (Air Plants)
These unique plants require no soil and absorb nutrients and moisture through their leaves. They are well known for their air-purifying qualities.
String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
This plant is a type of succulent and has cascading strands of small, bead-like leaves. It promotes clean air by removing pollutants from indoor air.
Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes)
This plant is not only an air purifier that is great to boost oxygen in indoor spaces but it is also a carnivorous plant that can purify indoor air by trapping and digesting insects.
Red-Edged Dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
This plant is a dramatic houseplant which has long, narrow leaves with a red border. It’s known for its air purifying qualities.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
This plant has green leaves with white or silver markings and is a popular houseplant that is grown to promote clean air.
Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa)
This plant has shiny, waxy leaves and produces fragrant, delicate flowers. They are known for their ability to purify the air and remove harmful pollutants. Like many other indoor plants, wax plants clean the air through a process known as phytoremediation.
Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana): This plant has long, thin leaves and produces small, colorful flowers. Like many other indoor plants, spiderwort is effective at cleaning the air through a process known as phytoremediation.
FAQs about Plants that Boost Oxygen in Indoor Spaces
Some plants that are good at boosting oxygen levels in indoor spaces include snake plants, peace lilies, spider plants, golden pothos, rubber plants, bamboo palms, dracaenas, aloe vera, philodendrons, and ferns.
Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air during photosynthesis and release oxygen as a byproduct. This process helps to increase oxygen levels in indoor spaces.
The number of plants needed to increase oxygen levels in a room depends on the size of the room and the type of plant. As a general rule, having one medium-sized plant per 100 square feet can help to increase oxygen levels.
While plants are generally considered safe, some plants can be toxic to humans and pets. It is important to do research before bringing a new plant into your home to ensure it is safe.
Most indoor plants need at least six hours of sunlight per day to thrive. If you don’t have access to natural light, you can use artificial grow lights to provide the necessary light for your plants.
The frequency of watering your indoor plants depends on the type of plant and the conditions in your home. In general, it is better to underwater than overwater, as overwatering can lead to root rot.
Yes, plants are known to be effective at removing indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide.
Yes, plants need nutrients to grow and thrive. Fertilizing your plants with a balanced fertilizer can help to provide the nutrients they need.
Healthy plants have vibrant leaves, stems, and flowers. They are free from pests and diseases and are growing at a steady rate.
Indoor plants can be incorporated into your home decor by using them as focal points in a room, grouping them together to create a living wall, or placing them in decorative containers.
Wrap Up
Overall, indoor plants are not only visually appealing, but they also help to purify the air we breathe and increase oxygen levels, which can have significant health benefits. They are a simple and natural way to improve indoor air quality, and the above-listed plants are some of the most effective at doing so.
With 18 best indoor plants to choose from, why not select a few to clean the air to boost the levels of oxygen in your home and office spaces.
