Table of Contents
Mold can creep up on you when you least expect it, and it’s not only unsightly, but it can also be a health hazard.
Luckily, there’s a natural solution to the problem: plants! Yes, you heard that right. Plants can help control mold build-up in your home by acting as natural air purifiers. They absorb harmful pollutants from the air, including mold spores, and break them down into harmless byproducts.
In this article, we will provide you with the top 10 plants that remove mold from your home. While dealing with mold at home, these plants also do an excellent job of beautifying your home and improving the ambiance.
What is Household Mold?
Mold in homes is a common problem that can occur when there’s excess moisture in the environment. It’s a type of fungus that grows on surfaces and can cause damage to materials such as wood, drywall, and fabrics. It can also pose health risks, especially for individuals with respiratory issues, allergies, or compromised immune systems.
Mold spores are present in the air all around us, and can appear as black, brown, green, or white patches on surfaces. It can emit a musty odor.
It’s important to address mold growth promptly to prevent it from spreading and causing further damage. This may involve identifying and addressing sources of moisture, cleaning and disinfecting affected surfaces, and improving ventilation and air circulation in the home.
How Does Mold Build Up in Homes?
Mold can build up in homes at any time of the year, but it is more likely to occur in warm, damp, and humid conditions. Moisture is the key factor in mold growth, and it can occur when there’s excess moisture in the air, from water leaks, or from high humidity levels.
Some common sources of moisture can include:
- Water leaks: Leaking pipes, roofs, windows, and appliances can all create moisture that can lead to mold growth.
- High humidity: Humidity levels above 60% can create a damp environment that’s conducive to mold growth. This can be particularly problematic in areas with poor ventilation, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
- Poor ventilation: Lack of ventilation can contribute to high humidity levels and create stagnant air that allows moisture to accumulate.
- Flooding: Flooding can create a significant amount of moisture in a home and increase the likelihood of mold growth if not addressed promptly.
How Do Plants Remove Mold
Plants can help remove mold from the air by absorbing and metabolizing organic compounds and pollutants, including mold spores.
Plants take in air through small pores on their leaves, which absorb gases and particles, including mold spores, from the air. These pollutants are then transported to the plant’s roots, where they are metabolized and broken down into harmless byproducts. This process is known as phytoremediation.
Some plants are more effective at removing mold and other pollutants than others. For example, plants with large, broad leaves, such as peace lilies and spider plants, are effective at removing pollutants from the air, while plants with high transpiration rates, such as English ivy, can help control humidity levels and reduce the likelihood of mold growth.
While plants can help improve indoor air quality and reduce mold growth, they are not a substitute for proper cleaning and maintenance. To effectively control mold growth, it is important to identify and address sources of moisture and clean and dry affected surfaces promptly. Plants can be used in conjunction with other strategies to help improve indoor air quality and create a healthy living environment.
English Ivy
When considering natural anti-mold plants, an English ivy would be an excellent option to consider. It’s a reliable filter for air toxins that are not only harmful to health but also encourage mold development and growth. English ivy is known to fight common varieties of mold that grow indoors such as the black and green spots that are found in corners as well as shaded areas of the house.
While having English ivy plants placed at the corners of the home eliminates mold development and growth, it also relieves the air of harmful toxins that encourages allergies.
English Ivy plants make all corners look stylish with their simple yet elegant beauty. Each vine has leaves having 3 to 5 lobes with varying colors. It loves to dwell in the shade and places away from the direct sun.
Peace Lily
Another indoor plant to fend off mold is the peace lily. Just like the other plants mentioned in this list, the peace lily also thrives in shaded areas away from direct sun exposure such as in corners of a room. It loves damp and humid areas which are common breeding grounds for mold.
Peace lily eliminates mold by filtering and absorbing mold spores in the air. Its air filtering capabilities allow it to improve the air quality by 50%, filtering formaldehyde and carbon monoxide.
Spider Plant
Now if you want a mold-killer plant that is easy to maintain then the spider plant might just be your best option. As its name suggests, the plant looks like a spider with its long-pointy leaves drooping downward as its legs. A variety of spider plants can have a dark or light shade of green depending on the amount of sun exposure.
The spider plant does an excellent job of eliminating air pollutants within the home by ridding the air of toxins and harmful bacteria that promote mold growth and development. In addition to getting rid of toxins, its leaves also absorb carbon monoxide as well as dust allergens.
Surprisingly, spider plants are quite resilient and are hard to get rid of. This is also the reason why it doesn’t require much care and maintenance. Just leave it in a pot of soil and water it at least once a week.
Snake Plant
This plant’s body is made up mostly of its thick and long leaves that resemble a snake – thus the name. With these wide and thick leaves, it has excellent absorption for airborne molds and allergens. As it absorbs allergens and toxins from the air, it excretes fresh and clean oxygen.
The snake plant is also a preferred indoor plant not only because of its simplistic beauty and great ability to eliminate mold but also because it’s easy to take care of.
Palms
A palm tree can also be a good option to consider if you want a large variety of plants to eliminate mold at home. Its large leaves with long strands have great absorption of molds and allergens from the air. The palm tree filters formaldehyde along with other pollutants which are harmful to the human body as well as to other living organisms.
Furthermore, palm leaves can keep the humidity of a room at a controlled level due to their potent moisture-absorbing properties. With their majestic size and lush leaves, palms are excellent centerpieces, especially in gardens. Palms are also easy to take care of and can even live in harsh environments where there is not enough water.
Orchids
If you prefer to get rid of mold through a hanging plant, then orchids would be a great option to take. Just like all the other plants mentioned in this list, orchids also have great absorption of allergens and toxins along with molds. Likewise, orchids help reduce the humidity of a room as they absorb moisture from the air.
Apart from using it to eliminate mold growth and development, its vibrant flowers and thick foliage make orchids a spectacular centerpiece. Each variety of orchid has a different scent and floral color. It’s easy to take care of as long as you can provide it with a good amount of sun vitamins.
Boston Fern
Another good mold killer to consider in humid or moist home environments such as the bathroom or washroom is the Boston fern. The Boston fern has potent natural absorption capabilities that balance humidity levels indoors. It’s also effective in purifying the air of formaldehyde which is a dust particle emitted from fabrics and paper products. Likewise, it absorbs allergens along with mold in the air.
Boston ferns love to thrive in moist or humid environments and with less sunlight so keep them away from direct sunlight.
Red-Edged Dracaena
Should palms be too big indoors, you can always opt for a red-edged dracaena to take care of your mold extermination needs. The red-edged dracaena cleanses the air of air pollutants, allergens as well as airborne mold. Also, it effectively absorbs airborne chemical solvents such as xylene which is emitted by printed materials as well as leather and rubber.
When mature, this plant can grow to heights of 10 feet, and it doesn’t require much sun exposure or frequent watering.
Rubber Tree Plant
If you’re into big, thick, and glossy foliage then the rubber tree plant would just be your best choice. It’s a great natural air cleaner as it rids the air of harmful toxins as well as airborne mold and allergens. Its wide and thick leaves have excellent absorption of moisture and aren’t sensitive to cold or hot temperatures.
Although the rubber tree plant can grow to massive heights, it can be restricted by means of frequent pruning.
Barberton Daisy
If you want a flowering plant to rid your home of mold, then the Barberton daisy would just be a great plant to pick on your next plant purchase. Native to Africa, the Barberton daisy is popular for its vibrant and striking flower colors. Its large foliage absorbs air pollutants, allergens, and airborne mold.
The Barberton Daisy loves direct sunlight and requires frequent watering. It grows to heights of 1 to 2 feet which makes it easy to manage indoors.
FAQs about Plants that Remove Mold
Some of the best plants for removing mold from indoor air include spider plants, snake plants, peace lilies, English ivy, and chrysanthemums.
Yes, plants can help reduce indoor mold growth by absorbing moisture and improving air quality.
Plants can be effective at removing mold from the air, but the level of effectiveness may depend on factors such as the size of the room, the type of plant, and the level of mold present.
While plants may not necessarily kill mold spores, they can help remove them from the air and reduce their overall concentration.
The number of plants needed to clean the air in a room depends on several factors, including the size of the room and the type of plant being used. As a general rule of thumb, one plant per 100 square feet is a good starting point.
To effectively remove mold, plants should be placed in areas with good air circulation and watered and fertilized regularly. Dead or dying leaves should be removed promptly to prevent mold growth on the plant itself.
While there is no foolproof way to know if a plant is actually removing mold from the air, a noticeable improvement in air quality or a reduction in mold growth may be a good indication that the plant is helping.
Yes, plants can potentially cause mold growth if they are overwatered or not properly maintained. To prevent this, it’s important to avoid overwatering and to provide adequate ventilation and air circulation.
While there are no significant health risks associated with using plants to remove mold, some individuals may be allergic to certain types of plants or the pollen they produce. It’s important to choose plants that are safe and non-toxic for pets and children.
Yes, in addition to removing existing mold, plants can also help prevent future mold growth by absorbing excess moisture and improving air quality. However, it’s important to remember that plants alone may not be sufficient to prevent mold growth and should be used in conjunction with other preventative measures such as proper ventilation and humidity control.
The Wrap Up
Basically, there are a lot of options to consider when dealing with persistent mold within the home. When making a choice of which plant to have from this list, simply consider the area or environment where you’ll be placing your plant.
Also, consider the level of care it needs, its sun and water requirements, as well as its risks to people and pets. Now that you know the top 10 plants that remove mold from your home, why not take advantage of this natural remedy to keep your home mold-free?
