A NASA-lead study found that there are certain plants that are effective air purifiers. By filtering out certain chemicals, these plants are recommended to have in our homes to neutralize and maintain healthy breathing air.

Air Purifying Indoor Plants.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

This tropical shade-loving plant helps cleanse the air we breathe. Use it to remove trichloroethylene, benzene, acetone, and alcohols from the air.

Light: Peace lilies prefer light partial shade, and can tolerate fluorescent lights. Yellowing leaves indicate that the light is too strong, and brown leaves or streaks indicate scorching from direct sunlight. Consider placing the plant six to eight feet away from a north- or west-facing window

Water: Wait for the plant to droop slightly before watering- great that it tells you its’ thirsty by drooping. In general, water at least once a week and keep the soil moist. Throughout the summer growing season, spritz the leaves with. Water your plant less often in winter.Even if you you forgot to water for a while and find your plant completely depleted with fronds flat over the pot edge, water and spritz right away. The Peace Lily can easily be revived.

Temperatures: The peace lily makes a great house plant because it thrives in the indoor temperatures most people enjoy. It prefers a temperature range of 18 C to 30 C and humid climates. Keep them away from drafts or any heating or cooling home appliances.

Toxicity: Warning: they are poisonous to both cats and dogs alike because they contain calcium oxalate. Peace lilies should be kept away from animals and small children.

Replant in larger container as your Peace Lily grows larger.

Rubber Plants (Ficus Elastica)

Rubber plants' large leaves can absorb airborne chemicals and break them down, rendering them harmless. They absorb exhaled carbon dioxide and convert it to breathable oxygen. Rubber plants also eliminate bacteria and mold spores in the air. Rubber plants can eventually reach 8 feet tall if given the right conditions, so should be planted where there is space for them to grow.

Light: Rubber Plants like bright light and a lot of it, but not direct sunlight. You can tell if your Rubber Plant needs more light if it becomes leggy, its leaves lose their luster, and lower leaves fall off.

Watering: Rubber Plants' water needs vary according to season: In the growing season (summer), the plant should be kept moist. This includes wiping the leaves with a damp cloth or even misting them. During the dormant season, your plant may only need water once or twice a month. Watch for droopy leaves, which indicate a need for more water. Leaves that turn yellow and brown and drop signal over-watering. Best to use lukewarm water. Mist during any season if they air is too dry, especially heated dry air like that which might occur during winter indoors. They should be allowed to dry out between watering. Rubber plants handle under-watering better than over-watering.

Fertilize during the growing season only.

Replant in larger container as your Rubber Plan grows larger.

Snake Plants (Sansevieria Trifasciata)

The Snake Plant is unique in that it sucks in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen during the night. Many people chose to keep it in their bedroom or carpeted living room. It’s simple to take care of and prevents the formaldehyde that leaks from your carpet and wood furniture from sticking around the air.

Water, Light, and Food: Snake plants do well when you almost forget about them. Allow soil to dry between waterings and take extra special care not to over water in winter. Try to avoid getting leaves wet when you water. Place your snake plants in indirect light (although they are tolerant of a variety of light conditions) and fertilize during the growing season with an all-purpose plant food.

Propagating Snake Plants: Snake plants produce rhizomes and are easily divided. Although this can be done any time, spring is best. Your newly propagated plants will also grow faster as summer is growing season

Toxicity: Warning: they are poisonous to both cats and dogs alike because they contain calcium oxalate. Snake Plants should be kept away from animals.

Replant in larger container as your Snake Plant grows larger.

Spider Plants (Chlorophytum Comosum)

Spider Plants removes pollutants they remove include formaldehyde and xylene.

LIGHT: requires natural light but not direct sunlight.

WATER: Water them well but do not allow the plants to become too soggy, which can lead to root rot. Spider Plants prefer to dry out some between waterings.

If you begin to notice spider plant leaves browning, there’s no need for worry. Browning of leaf tips is quite normal and will not harm the plant. This is often the result of fluoride found in water, which causes salt buildup in the soil. It may help to use distilled water or filtered or rain water.

Replant in larger container as your Snake Plant grows larger.

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A NASA-lead study found that there are certain plants that are effective air purifiers. By filtering out certain chemicals, these plants are recommended to have in our homes to neutralize and maintain healthy breathing air.

Air Purifying Indoor Plants.

Light: Rubber Plants like bright light and a lot of it, but not direct sunlight. You can tell if your Rubber Plant needs more light if it becomes leggy, its leaves lose their luster, and lower leaves fall off.