Raising plants indoors is a home-healthy move because of their ability to clean the air of carbon dioxide, but their benefits don't stop there. According to several studies, the average houseplant can remove formaldehyde, benzene, and a host of other toxins that plague typical indoor air. While researching the ability of plants to cleanse air in space stations, NASA made some fascinating and important discoveries concerning the role that houseplants play here on Earth. They tested the ability of a variety of plants to remove common volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. The toxins tested include: In the NASA testing, flowering plants, such as chrysanthemums and gerbera daisies, effectively removed benzene from the chamber's atmosphere. Golden pothos, spider plants and philodendron were the most effective in removing formaldehyde molecules. Other top performers were red-edged dracaena and the Peace Lilly. The rest of the plants tested, with the exception of Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum), were effective at removing at least one of the chemicals from the air.

NASA researchers found that plants absorb airborne substances through tiny openings in their leaves, but roots and soil bacteria are also part of the purification process. The study concluded that in an 1,800-square-foot house, occupants should incorporate 15 to 18 houseplants in 6- to 8-inch diameter containers to improve air quality. clean laptop using compressed airThe larger and more vigorously they grow, the better.duct mounted air cleaner The government of India published the results of a groundbreaking study in September of 2008 that analyzed the effects of certain species of plants on indoor air quality. best charcoal air purifierThree plant species –- areca palm, pothos (known as Mother-in-Law's Tongue), and the Money Plant -– were tested for 15 years at the Paharpur Business Centre and Software Technology Incubator Park in New Delhi.

The building was 20 years old and 50,000 square feet, and it housed more than 1,200 plants for 300 workers. The study found that the building had the healthiest indoor air in the city. Specifically, compared to other buildings in New Delhi, the building showed reductions of: International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants More inspection articles like thisThe best houseplants to clean the air in your home, as recommended by NASA Easy to care for, resilient, and a quick way to inject some nature into your living room - no wonder houseplants have recently made a comeback. But did you know they also clean the air in your home? A NASA study found that a plethora of plants neutralise the chemicals found in furniture, household products, and decorating materials. So before you start looking for the perfect copper pot to plonk your dream ficus into, read our handy guide to find out which plants are best for your home - and which rooms they'll thrive in. Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)

This red-edged, spiky plant is one of the most effective at removing pollutants, including formaldehyde (found in paints, wallpaper, and smoke from fireplaces) and benzene (found in dyes and synthetic fibres). It may be slow-growing, but it can reach up to 8ft in height - so pop it in a living room with high ceilings and moderate sunlight. A photo posted by Sarah (@jugglinginheels) on Jan 16, 2016 at 1:13pm PST Snake plants - also known as Mother-in-law's tongue - give out oxygen at night; place one in your bedroom and you'll breathe better while you sleep. They also combat xylene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, toluene, and benzene from the air. Barberton daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) This colourful flowering houseplant battles trichloroethylene (a chemical used in dry cleaning), which makes it best suited to laundry rooms and bedrooms. Keep it in direct sunlight with well-drained soil for tall flowers in red, yellow, orange, or pink. Broadleaf Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)

The Broadleaf Lady Palm is one of the few houseplants to filter out ammonia, a chemical found in cleaning products. As they're also good with humidity and thrive in low light, they're best placed in the bathroom. A photo posted by Lyne clover (@lyneclover) on May 4, 2016 at 9:06am PDT This succulent fights benzene (found in detergents and plastics) and formaldehyde (found in varnishes and floor finishes). As the gel inside also treats burns, keep this sun-loving plant on your kitchen windowsill. This bright flowering plant battles a whole host of chemicals, including xylene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, toluene, and benzene. Keep it in the living room (in bright sunlight) so its anti-polluting superpowers can be best put to use. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) A photo posted by Hazel Clarke (@meandmackie) on Apr 28, 2016 at 9:09pm PDT The resilient spider plant combats carbon monoxide, xylene (found in petrol and rust preventers) and formaldehyde (emitted with vehicle exhausts), making them the ideal choice for garages and sheds.

They work best in cool temperatures and indirect sunlight. As well as filtering out the formaldehyde found in cosmetic products, English ivy reduces airborne fecal-matter particles - making it the ideal plant for bathrooms and toilets. Keep the soil moist and give the plant at least four hours of direct sunlight daily for flourishing ivy. Orchidsgive off oxygen at night - as well as snake plants - so are a great addition to the bedroom; the moth orchid also combats toluene, which is found is shoe polish. A photo posted by Audra Viehland (@audraviehland) on Feb 1, 2016 at 2:59pm PST This tropical plant thrives in low light and humidity; it also fights benzene (found in detergents), and the formaldehyde in cosmetic products, making it perfect for bathrooms. If the air is too dry, the tips of the leaves turn brown, so be sure occasionally mist its leaves. Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) Weeping figs fight formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene, found in furniture, fireplace smoke, and common household products.