The air inside our homes is much less clean than we imagine. Beyond bad smells, which are evident to our sense of smell, there are many harmful substances present in the air that we inhale every day.
These substances are released from paints, appliances and even furniture, and the most frequent are benzene, formaldehyde and xylene.
Luckily, there are houseplants that help purify the air in your home and are also excellent for mitigating bad odors. Below we list the best ones.
- Rhapis umilis
Although they require a lot of water during the spring and summer, these plants are very resistant to insects. It is an effective filter against most pollutants found in closed spaces. It can reach three meters in height.
- Common ivy
Very effective in purifying the air at home, it is especially useful in smokers’ homes.
- Pothos
It is one of the most widespread houseplants. It absorbs pollutants such as carbon monoxide and formaldehyde, and can be grown both in pots and in vertical gardens.
- Boston Fern
It’s perfect if you need a natural air humidifier. It also helps purify the air in your home and eliminate bad odors.
- Log of happiness
Its scientific name is Dracaena fragrans. It needs little light to grow and helps eliminate trichlorethylene present in solvents and paints.
- Dracaena marginata
In addition to being very decorative, it helps purify the air in your home by absorbing xylene released by cigarettes or paints.
- Phalanx
Especially effective against carbon monoxide, it grows quickly and needs water every 15 days.
- Areca
A real air filter, effective against benzene and trichlorethylene. It also acts as a natural humidifier and reduces bad odors in the home.
- Sansevieria
It is the perfect plant for those without a green thumb: it is extremely resistant and helps eliminate formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and toluene.