These 10 Plants Can Do More for Indoor Air Quality Than You Think

Many plants make a positive addition to your indoor air quality by filtering volatile organic compounds through their leaves and stems. The following are popular houseplants, with their filtering qualities.

1. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) -This extremely hardy plant produces small flowers and filters benzene, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide.
2. Golden Porthos (Scindapsus aures) – A fast growing vine that stays green in low light conditions. It also removes formaldehyde from the air, making it a good choice for the garage.
3. Chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium) –  Producing brightly colored flowers, it is effective at combating the benzene found in glues, plastics and detergents; and prefers direct sunlight, near an open window.
4. Aloe (Aloe Vera) – Loves the sun and combats formaldehyde and benzene. Aloe also heals cuts and burns.
5. Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema crispum ‘Deborah’) – Easy to care for and filters a variety of toxins. It thrives in low light environments whilst still producing blooms and red berries.
6. Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) – This can be a tricky to grow, but are long lived once you get the watering and light conditions right. They filter trichloroethylene and benzene, commonly found in furniture and carpeting.
7. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) – Requiring only weekly watering and a shaded spot, it is  NASA’s highest rated plant for filtering formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and benzene; making it an excellent addition to your home.
8. Heart leaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium) – This climbing vine is harmful if eaten so should not be considered where children and animals are present. It is extremely effective in the removal of volatile organic compound, such as formaldehyde.
9. Gerber Daisy (Gerber jamesonii) – A flowering plant that requires a well lit position. It is effective in removing trichloroethylene, and the benzene found in dry cleaning and chemical cleaners.
10. Red edged Dracaena (Dracaena marginata) – A free growing shrub with red edged leaves. It filters Xylene as well as trichloroethylene and formaldehyde.

There are many sources of voc’s and other toxic chemicals in the home and here at Rinadi’s Air Conditioning Service, we have been serving the Orlando area since 1969, so understand the importance of your indoor air quality. Please contact us for professional, friendly service.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Orlando, Florida and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Credit/Copyright Attribution: “KPG Payless2/Shutterstock”