The most cost effective way to improve the air quality inside of your own home: Any kind of houseplants — whether you buy them full grown, plant the seeds, or something in between — make it much easier to breathe indoors.
Source: Sunset
Plants not only emit oxygen but also absorb toxins from the air, and they do it without emitting greenhouse gases like electronic air filters and ventillation systems do. The plants absorb and offset indoor polution emitted by appliances and synethetics in your home.
While oxygen production is common to all plants some species of plants are more productive than others.
And while all plants absorb carbon dioxide in order to create oxygen, some species also absorb additional toxins from the air like ammonia and formaldehyde.
All it takes to feel an improvment is placing about one plant every 100 square feet in your home, in pots that are six to eight inches deep, according to research by NASA.
Houseplants That Help You Breathe Easier
Below is a list of the species that produce the most oxygen and are relatively easy to maintain compared to other varieties.
Aloe vera: In addition to being easy to take care of, this plant has extra health benefits — inside of the leaves, a clear liquid full of nutrients can heal wounds, treat inflammation and even act as an antibacterial.
Bamboo palm: Thriving in bright light, this plant can grow up to 12 feet tall and is pet friendly.
Boston fern: Make sure this plant’s soil is always moist and place it in indirect light, and this plant is easy to grow.
Ficus: Also low maintenance — as long as your remember to let the soil dry out between waterings — it can actually grow up to 10-feet tall indoors, and can even go outdoors during summer months.
Garden mum: NASA research found that this flowering plant has the strongest air purification abilities of any other. It remove sammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene from indoor air.
Snake plant/mother-in-law’s tongue: This might be the hardest plant to kill out of any on this list, as it needs somewhat less frequent watering.
Spider plant: One of the easiest to grow on this list, the spider plant is ideal for beginners and forgetful types, and does best in bright, indirect light.
Love the Indoors Again
The abundant benefits of these plants make them pretty popular and thus easier to find at garden supply stores. You might find that once you add more greenery to your home, it will feel better to be indoors.
Jackie Cohen is an award winning financial journalist turned turned financial advisor obsessed with climate change risk, data and business. Jackie holds a B.A. Degree from Macalester College and an M.A. in English from Claremont Graduate University.