Air, Toxins, & House Plants

The air inside our homes can be up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air, containing pollutants such as mold, smoke, out-gaping chemicals, pollen, pet dander, bacteria and viruses. There are many portable HEPA and carbon air filter options available at different price points that will help remove contaminants.

According to a 1989 Clean Air Study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, common houseplants can remove organic pollutants from indoor air and, when combined with activated carbon air filters, they are more effective. This was a groundbreaking research initiative aimed at exploring the potential of common houseplants in improving indoor air quality. The study was led by Dr. B.C. Wolverton, an environmental engineer, and his team. The primary focus was to identify plants that could effectively make indoor spaces healthier.

This study found that houseplants could play a crucial role in reducing levels of organic pollutants commonly found in indoor environments. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene, which can be emitted by various common household items like furniture, carpets, and cleaning products.

Examples of recommended plants that are efficient in removing pollutants include the Boston Fern, Spider Plant, Variegated Snake Plant, Peace Lily, English Ivy, Cornstalk Dracaena and many other inexpensive varietals.

The findings of the 1989 Clean Air Study contributed to the popularization of using houseplants as a natural and aesthetically pleasing way to enhance air quality in homes and indoor spaces. While subsequent research has refined some aspects of these findings, the general idea that certain plants can contribute to cleaner indoor air remains widely accepted in the realm of environmental science and indoor air quality management.