Plants are not just decorative, they can also clean and purify the air in our homes, and act as anti-pollutants. Houseplants can reduce components of indoor air pollution, even volatile organic compounds such as benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene. Plants also reduce airborne microbes and increase humidity. Some indoor plants are more effective than others, so this article is dedicated to these magical house-cleaning air purifiers for your home and/or work place. Also included are illustrations of each of the miracle plants, as well as basic plant care. Researchers from NASA and other organizations recommend at least 15-18 good-sized plants for a house or apartment of 1800 square feet or 167 square meters. Spathiphyllum, also called Peace Lily, acts as a general air cleanser of many environmental pollutants, and will even filter contaminants such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. It cleans best at one plant per 10m2.The plant will even survive being neglected at times.

No direct sunlight to avoid burns. It can also handle a shadier spot. Watering approximately once per week, only when the soil is dry. Too much water, too much heating and too much light can all harm the Peace Lily. Spider plant is a popular and commonly used house plant. It grows from a central rosette and produces new shoots, branched stolons with small white flowers, as well as baby plantlets. Plant care: Very easy, thrives under nearly any conditions. The plant will even survive being neglected at times.10 inch chrome air cleaner Epipremnum aureum, also called Devils Ivy, or Golden Pathos, is an excellent air cleansing plant. best place to put your air purifierIt is however toxic when consumed, for example by pets, so care should be taken in order to avoid this. air purifier retailers

Its decorative marbled leaves and easy maintenance make it very popular amongst indoor plants. Plant care: Golden Pathos is a hardy plant which requires very little care. Should be watered only when the soil feels dry. It can stand bright light, but the best results are achieved with a medium indirect light. Syngonium podophyllum , also called Arrowhead plant, or American evergreen, is the most commonly cultivated species of the Syngonium genus. The plant, when eaten, is poisonous, so don't eat it.. Plant care: No direct sunlight, allow to dry in between waterings. Daily misting during the dry winter months, or maintain higher humidity levels in other ways. This robust plant is the ideal companion for pet owners, as it efficiently filters formaldehyde aerosols and fecal particles from the air. There are many different species of the English Ivy, differing by color, shape, and size. The plant is also poisonous. Plant care: Partial shade to bright light, but no direct sunlight.

Robust plant which grows so well and easily that is considered a weed in some countries. The two most efficient kinds of philadendron are the Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron scandens `oxycardium') and the Elephant Ear Philodendron (Philodendron domesticum). Philadendrons are excellent at removing formaldehyde, especially so at higher concentrations. It should also be noted that philadendrons are poisonous. Plant care: Philodendrons prefer a partial shade and a well drained soil. The Gerbera is a well known decorative plant or cut flower, but its air filtering properties are less known. It is most suitable for removing benzene (which is a well known carcinogen) and trichloroethylene from the air. Plant care: It prefers bright light and a well drained soil. Gerbera blooms repeatedly, from mid-spring until fall. In its natural habitat the small fruit of the Weeping Fig is the food of choice for many birds. In any indoor scenario, the Ficus benjamina will effectively filter indoor air toxins.

Plant care: The ficus can handle a partial shade, but also really likes bright sunlight. The soil should be well drained. The plant can be sensitive to changing conditions, so it doesn't much like being moved. The Dracaena marginata removes not only benzene and formaldehyde from the air, but also xylene and toluene Other air filtering Dracaenas include Warneck dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii'), Janet Craig dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig'), Cornstalk dracaena (Dracaena fragans 'Massangeana') Plant care: It really likes bright light, but under no circumstances direct sunlight. Better a little too little light than a little too much. It is similar with water. Too much water can make its root decay. It will tolerate irregular watering rhythms and dry soil much better than too much water. Well known as a decorative flower, the Chrysanthemum is an amazing plant, which has not only medicinal purposes but is also very good at filtering a variety of polluting compounds from the air.

Plant care: Not as easy as most of the other mentioned air purifiers. It likes a bright, but indirect sunlight. Watering with warm (not too cold) water. Allow the soil to dry in between waterings. Fertilizing is needed before the blooming period. Faded blooms should be removed to prolong flowering. Good air circulation is important. Other air cleaning plants include Christmas cactus, Sansevieria Laurentii (Mother-in-Law's Tongue), Philodendron selloum (selloum philodendron), Aglaonema modestum (Chinese evergreen), Chamaedorea sefritzii (bamboo or reed palm), Sansevieria trifasciata (snake plant), Saintpaulia (African Violets) and Aloe barbabensis (Aloe Vera).(Editor's Note: This article was originally published on November 11, 2010. Your comments are welcome, but please be aware that authors of previously published articles may not be able to respond to your questions.) This leaf shedding is not necessarily a sign that your ficus is sick or unhappy, but simply that it is adjusting to a change in temperature, light and humidity.

The weeping fig’s leaf drop is actually a survival mechanism in its native habitat of south and southeast Asia, where it is adapted to two seasons, dry and rainy. Ficus trees grow rapidly during the rainy season, filling out their leaf canopies. During the dry season, they survive by shedding foliage. So be patient with your weeping fig as you rake up its leaves; provide it with lots of light as it adjusts to being indoors, and it will soon recover and resume growth.LocationWhen you bring a ficus houseplant into your home, remember that it can grow quite large and shrubby, so be sure you have enough room for the plant. The ficus plant is sensitive to cold temperatures, so site it away from doorways and drafty windows. The ideal location for your weeping fig is where it will receive bright medium light or lots of indirect light throughout the day. During the dark winter months, it will appreciate full sun in a south window.Care My ficus and cats Pickles and Percy Both over- and under-watering your ficus can cause leaf drop, so aim to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

In general, the ficus requires more water during times of the year when it is receiving more light, and less water during the winter. Wiping its leaves of dust keeps the ficus looking its best and also allows it to take in the maximum amount of sunlight. Fertilize ficus during its active growing season, but forego feeding throughout the winter. During the summer months, ficus benefit from being placed outdoors in a shady spot. Just be sure to bring it indoors before nights begin to get too cold.PotsFicus trees grow rapidly and can quickly become potbound, so it’s a good idea to check the plant’s root system periodically. The root system can become so dense that water goes right through without penetrating the roots, in which case you will want to replant it in a slightly larger container. Once a ficus is in a very large pot, it can become impractical to repot. When you weeping fig reaches this stage, you can keep it healthy by top-dressing it annually in the spring or early summer.

Scrape off as much of the old potting soil as you can, replacing it with fresh. I keep the soil surface of my large ficus covered with sphagnum moss, which serves to discourage my cats from jumping into it.PruningMature plants are best pruned and shaped to control for growth in the spring. The ficus will quickly respond to pruning with new growth. Be sure to protect carpeting and clothing when you are pruning a ficus, because it releases a sticky white sap from cut branches. The weeping fig naturally assumes a vase shape, so it’s best to give the plant its head while keeping it in bounds. Remove weak and dead branches first, then any branches that cross another branch. Removing some of the inner branches will open up the canopy and allow more light in. Always prune branches back to their juncture with other branches.Ficus As An Air CleanerDid you know that your ficus is not just a beautiful houseplant, but an air purifier? A NASA research study included the weeping fig as one of 15 popular indoor plants which were discovered to be especially useful for removing the air of noxious household chemicals.