Recommended plants to filter the air

Having plants at home is one of the most natural and ecological ways to decorate our homes. In addition to looking great indoors and on terraces, they are also a way to improve ventilation at home. How do they do it? By purifying and providing us with better air quality to breathe.

Plants ventilate homes thanks to their innate capabilities and, not only that, they are a way to reduce heat in summer. For example, if placed in front of a window, they can reduce the temperature of the air entering by up to 5%.

All this gives us strong reasons to put plants at home to improve ventilation. With them, we will breathe better, clean the environment of impurities, and even make temperatures more bearable.

However, not all plants are the same for purifying the air. At the end of the last century, the American space agency NASA conducted a study to find out which plants are most suitable to improve air quality. The idea, of course, was to have them in a closed space like that of a spacecraft. Nowadays, the organization states that the results remain valid.

To know which plants are the best for purifying the air and breathing better in our homes, we must consider which pollutants are the most common and which the plants are tasked with filtering. NASA estimates that these include benzene, xylene, trichloroethylene, ammonia, and formaldehyde, all present in common situations.

However, before knowing which plants are recommended to improve ventilation, it is important to keep in mind something reiterated by air purification experts: the main thing is to have a variety of plants, as some eliminate specific chemical substances while others focus on different pollutants.

Which plants to choose for purifying the air?

The first recommended plant for improving the air is the potus variety, also known as pothos, and whose species is called epipremnum aureum.

The origin of the potus is Southeast Asia and, in addition to its beneficial properties for cleaning the environment, it is capable of bringing life to any home. Additionally, it is very easy to find and adapts easily to many temperature ranges. It maintains well at temperatures between 17°C and 30°C, making it perfect for indoors. Furthermore, its maintenance is minimal. It only needs to be watered from time to time, when it looks drier. Its leaves are evergreen, so they do not fall in autumn.

The potus can absorb formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene. It is ideal for placement indoors, especially in low light areas. It can be placed in the bathroom.

The next plant you can use is the peace lily (spathiphyllum), also known as the peace flower or the wind candle. A species that can also survive with very little light and very little water, although it is necessary to keep it away from drafts, making it ideal for home placement.

The peace lily grows at temperatures above 18°C, so it is necessary to keep it indoors, and they are very long-lived plants. Additionally, it can reduce the levels of benzene, xylene, trichloroethylene, ammonia, and formaldehyde in the house.

The third recommended species is the plant variety raphis excelsa, more commonly known as the Chinese palm or bamboo palm.

As its name suggests, it comes from Asia and is a plant that, with enough space, can reach three meters in height. Its beneficial properties for cleaning the air are based on its ability to reduce levels of formaldehyde, xylene, and ammonia.

Due to its size characteristics, it is better to place this plant in a terrace, in a large pot. On hot days, it should be watered daily.

Another plant very beneficial for purifying the air is the mother-in-law's tongue or snake plant (sansevieria trifasciata), a variety widely used in interior decoration that also survives very well under adverse conditions. Additionally, it can withstand extreme temperatures, ranging from -5°C to 40°C, as long as these maxima and minima are not constant. Installed in our homes, it is capable of eliminating benzene, xylene, toluene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde.

The fifth species of plants to ventilate the home is the ficus robusta, also known as the rubber tree. It is an ideal plant for removing formaldehyde from the air, but it should be noted that it can grow very quickly in a few years, so it needs space. Similarly, it is very resistant to diseases and improves humidity in the home. Therefore, along with the previous ones, it is a great option to naturally ventilate our homes.