Which are the best air purifying plants? We spend a lot of time indoors in the winter. I want houseplants that can handle less light.
Lena Johnson, St. Paul, MN
I’m happy to hear that you want to know more about air purifying plants. They are a smart choice for making the indoor air cleaner. And there are plenty of houseplants that don’t need a lot of sunlight to stay healthy. I’ll tell you about some of them now.
The first is the Warneck Dracaena with green and yellow striped leaves. It absorbs volatile chemicals released by varnish and oil paints. In exchange, it lives up a corner of the room and produces fresh oxygen.
The second is the snake plant, also known as Sansevieria trifasciata. This green and white banded houseplant is a top choice for office spaces around the world. That’s because it’s hardy in low light. Furthermore, it gets rid of formaldehyde, a very common toxin found in homes.
The third is the bamboo palm, also called Chamaedorea sefritzii. It cleans benzene and trichloroethylene from the air. Homeowners are likely to place the bamboo palm in a bathroom because it likes high humidity.
The fourth is the peace lily or Spathiphyllum. If it’s watered once a week and placed in the shade, it still blooms. Moreover, it cleanses a host of toxins like formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
The fifth is the Boston fern, known as Nephrolepis exaltata. It’s the master of removing formaldehyde as well as benzene and xylene. And it’s another plant that prefers humid spaces.
Dry soil is what causes gnats around the office, as they congregate in arid spaces. Be sure to supply your office plants with adequate water to keep these pests at bay.
Now, if you want to see even more plants that purify room air, check out this page: https://www.tipsbulletin.com/plants-that-clean-the-air/ It lists several more beautiful houseplants including ones that bloom. While some require more light than the ones I listed, sometimes bright indirect light is enough.