Why Do You Need Air Purifying Plants in Your Home & Office Space?
Clean and fresh air is a necessity and a right for each person. However, people have increasingly expressed concerns about indoor air pollution due to increased exposure to chemicals, synthetic materials, and poor indoor ventilation.
As you know, the breathing process of a human being requires them to exhale CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) and inhale O2 (Oxygen). If your indoor space contains CO2, it will not be a safer place to breathe. You need air-purifying plants as they cleanse the indoor space from harmful elements that affect breathing and provide a better & safer environment indoors.
However, this is not the only benefit; they offer plenty. After reading this blog, you will know the importance of these plants, especially for indoor spaces.
In this blog, you’ll get to know about:
- The Scientific Reason to Keep an Air Purifying Plant
- Key Benefits of Keeping them in your Home & Office Space
- Top Air-Purifying Plants to Consider
- Tips to Maintain These Plants
So, let’s get into that.
The Science Behind Air Purifying Plants
Plants are necessary for breathing is a known fact by everyone, but NASA, a scientific and research-based organisation, conducted a study in 1989. It is known as the Clean Air Study to find a way to clean indoor air without a technical adoption.
What they learned is that some species of plants have a speciality of eliminating toxic chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and ammonia. Interestingly, these pollutants are common in furniture, carpets, cleaning products, and office appliances.
Air-purifying plants cleanse the air through:
- Absorbing Toxins: Absorb these pollutants through leaves and roots.
- Photosynthesis: Converts CO2 into O2 to improve air quality.
- Microbial Activity: Microbes in soil also break down these pollutants.
The American Society of Horticultural Science conducted a follow-up study to confirm that air-purifying plants reduce volatile organic compounds by 75% in just 24 Hours.
Significant Benefits of Placing Air Purifying Plants Indoors
Here are the advantages of air-purifying plants in indoor spaces:
Eliminates Harmful Air Pollutants
You fill the indoor space with furniture and use wall paint to decorate your bedroom and living area. However, this could be the reason for an increase in air pollutants inside your house that can affect your breathing. Air purifying plants such as Snake Plants and Peace Lily help filter out the elements, such as:
- Formaldehyde (Plywood, carpets, and adhesives)
- Benzene (Plastics, Synthetic fibres and detergents)
- Trichlorothylene (Printing inks and varnishes)
Boosts Oxygen Levels & Humidity
Plants perform the photosynthesis process, which acts as a medium for their survival and continuity. This process exhales oxygen that helps with cognitive function and breathing prowess for humans. Some air plant online, like the Areca Palm, are known as natural humidifiers, reducing room dryness caused by frequent use of air conditioners and heaters.
Reduces Mental Stress & Promotes Well-Being
“Cause & Effect” is a universally applicable principle, and it is so common that you see it without noticing it. It is the basis of every action, decision, and undertaking. But how does it relate to plants? Well, indoor plants promote enhanced mental well-being. Cause is the plant, and Effect is mental well-being. Many scientific studies in this area have accepted that offices with indoor plants do reduce mental stress and strain.
Neutralise Mold Spores and Airborne Bacterial Pollutants
A study conducted by the University of Sydney found that indoor plants can reduce airborne mould and bacteria up to 60% within 24 hours. Air purifying plants not only filter these pollutants but also eliminate them through:
- Phytoremediation: Breaks down pathogens using its roots and soil microbes
- Transpiration: Increase indoor humidity to suppress airborne microbes
- Leaf Surface Action: Traps airborne pollutants and moulds on its leaves.
Helps with Enhanced Sleep Quality
You may question that putting a plant in a bedroom is good until the day because they reverse the process of inhaling and exhaling. However, to your surprise, some species perform the process in the same manner even at night.
Species like Crassulacean Acid Metabolism perform the function of inhaling CO2 and exhaling O2 during the night as well. This makes them a suitable choice for your bedroom, ensuring quality sleep for you and your family.
Operates as a Natural Air Freshener
Commercial air fresheners are often found in every household and office. However, many reports suggest that they are the reason for headaches and hormonal disruptions. Due to this fact, air purifying plants are widely accepted as an alternative to air fresheners.
These plants offer a safe option by:
- Releasing naturally made essential oils
- Masks odor with a floral or citrusy scent
Top Air Purifying Plants You Can Add to Your Home & Office
Here’s a list of indoor plants you can add to experience a wave of elegance:
| General Term | Botanical Term | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Snake Plant | Sansevieria Trifasciata | Filters formaldehyde, benzene, & xylene; releases oxygen at night. |
| Peace Lily | Spathiphyllum Wallisii | Removes ammonia, benzene & mould spores; improves indoor humidity. |
| Areca Palm | Dypsis Lutescens | Humidifies air; removes formaldehyde & xylene. |
| Spider Plant | Chlorophytum Comosum | Filters benzene, formaldehyde, & carbon monoxide; pet-friendly plant. |
| ZZ Plant | Zamioculcas Zamiifolia | Performs well in low light; removes toluene & xylene. |
| Rubber Plant | Ficus Elastica | Eliminates formaldehyde; enhances indoor aesthetics. |
| Aloe Vera | Aloe Barbadensis Miller | Clears formaldehyde & benzene; contains healing properties. |
Final Thoughts
The air pressure inside your house and offices differs from the outdoor surroundings. This hampers the air indoors, and people spending many hours in these areas experience issues with breathing and other health issues.
The presence of air purifying plants helps avoid such problems, but where can you find them? PlantsHub is a platform that offers a variety of plants that not only elevate your indoor beauty but also benefit your health. So, buy these plants today from PlantsHub!
