You don't need to give us the hard sell on houseplants. Placing some leafy greens onto a coffee table or shelf is a great way to add some texture and breathe a little life into a room. But that's not the only reason to keep them around; as it turns out, they just might breath a little life into you, too.Concerned by the air pollution caused by an ever-more industrialized society, NASA (yes, the one with actual rocket scientists) took a close look at houseplants' ability to reduce indoor air pollutants. They hoped the research might help mitigate the chemicals modern synthetic building materials and furniture can "off-gas" into the air, but they were also looking for ways to maintain air quality inside potential space stations.NASA tested how well houseplants diffuse chemicals like formaldehyde (found in particle board and many other synthetic home items) and benzene (found in cigarette smoke, but also in some paints and glues). Their findings were originally published in 1989, but still ring true today, and were recently resurfaced as an easy-to-read graphic from Love The Garden.Consider NASA's picks next time you're shopping for a container garden.

Some of them, like the Chinese evergreen, are even hard to kill, so you don't need a green thumb to reap the benefits.Here's what the study found:More: 5 Plants That Help Keep Mosquitoes Away Your 3-Step Guide to Building a Raised Garden Bed The Best Flowers to Plant for Your Astrological Sign 14 Easy Landscaping Ideas for Your Front Yard How to Make a Carnivorous Bog Planter 6 Ways to Revive a Nearly Dead Houseplant How to Make a Mounted Driftwood Planter Get Your Deck Ready for Summer With a Fresh Coat of Stain 40 Ways to Maximize a Small Garden 7 Pretty Plants That Are Actually Ruining Your Garden The Nifty Trick That Will Keep Your Tulips UprightHouseplants provide beauty and interest, bringing a bit of leafy, green, outdoorsy ambiance to the indoor environment. However, plants play an even more important role by helping to improve air quality in your home. Research by a team of NASA scientists indicates that these helpful houseplant air purifiers clean the air during the natural process of photosynthesis.

The pollutants, absorbed by the leaves, are eventually broken down by microbes in the soil. Although all plants are believed to be beneficial, researchers discovered that some plants are especially effective at removing dangerous pollutants. Air purifying houseplants include several familiar, inexpensive, easy-to-grow houseplants. For example, golden pothos and philodendron are superior air purifiers when it comes to removing formaldehyde, a colorless gas released by glues and resins in particle board and other wood products. Formaldehyde is also emitted by cigarette smoke and fingernail polish, as well as foam insulation, some draperies, synthetic carpeting and household furnishings. Spider plants are powerhouses that remove formaldehyde, as well as carbon monoxide and common pollutants like benzene and xylene. These low-maintenance plants are easy to propagate by planting the small, attached plantlets, or “spiders.” Place spider plants in rooms where carbon monoxide is likely to concentrate, such as rooms with fireplaces or kitchens equipped with gas stoves.

Blooming plants, such as peace lilies and chrysanthemums, help remove Tetrachloroethylene, also known as PCE or PERC, a chemical used in paint removers, water repellents, glues and dry cleaning solvents.air purifier india review Indoor palm trees, like lady palm, bamboo palm and dwarf date palm, are good all-around air cleaners. air duct cleaning trailerAreca palms provide an additional benefit by increasing the level of humidity in the air.what air purifier do hospitals use Other general-purpose air purifying houseplants include: Most types of dracaena and ficus, along with succulents such as aloe vera and sansevieria (snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue), help purify the air as well. The attractive, all-purpose plants are helpful anywhere in the home, but do the most good in rooms with new furniture, paint, paneling or carpeting.

NASA studies indicate that 15 to 18 healthy, vigorous plants in medium-size pots can effectively improve air quality in an average home.No matter how clean your house is, there is always some presence of invisible indoor air pollutants which may be affecting your health and mental well being. In fact, many cleaning products actually release harmful compounds into the air such as ammonia, formaldehyde, benzene, ethylene, and more. These compounds can have negative impacts on your health and well being. Fortunately, there’s an excellent and easy way to remove these toxins from your home: plants! The following is a list of 6 indoor plants that are scientifically proven to be efficient and removing toxins from the air in your home. Tip: You should have 1 medium sized plant for every 100 square feet in a room. For large rooms, group plants together instead of spacing them out - this will produce the best air purification effect! 1. The Bamboo Palm If you’re looking for a large plant, you’ll love the Bamboo Palm.

This beautiful plant will grow between 3 and 6 feet tall and adds moisture to the room - great for dry winters! What it eliminates: formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, xylene, chloroform, and more Care information: It will need lots of indirect sunlight, the soil should be kept moist, and occasional misting can help. Keeping it in a place where air can circulate will help this plant stay even healthier. This plant is not only elegant with its snow white blossom, but has been tested by NASA as being one the best air purifying plants. But be careful, this plant can be toxic to your pets if eaten. What it eliminates: formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, ammonia, chloroform, and more Care information: This plant can thrive in low or bright light, however the white flower will only emerge in bright light conditions. Make sure to feed it fertilizer once a month in the summer months and keep the soil slightly moist. Everyone knows this plant for its healing gel for those pesky summer sunburns, but it’s also great at purifying your house!

What it eliminates: formaldehyde, and benzene. Care information: This plant makes a great addition to window ledges because it needs plenty of sunlight. Water it deeply but let the soil dry before rewatering. Water it less in winter months. This plant can add a splash of purple to your home while removing those unwanted invisible pollutants. What it eliminates: formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, ammonia. Care information: The Lilyturf thrives best in bright light, but can manage in less than ideal lighting indoors. It’s subtropical, so it will need plenty of water, but don’t overdo it in the winter. If the tips of the leaves turn brown, you know you need to water it more. It only needs fertilization once per year in the spring. 5. Corn Cane (Dracaena massangeana) If you need a plant that loves low lighting, get the Corn Cane. This tall and large leaved plant is excellent at removing toxins from the air and requires little care. If you take good care of it, in a few years it will reward with you white flower blossoms!