Chandana Banerjee
9 Plants that Purify Indoor Air
The smog season is just around the corner. If you live in Delhi, then you already know how suffocating toxic-filled air can be. If you’re in any other city, then it’s imperative to know that the air we breathe – even the air inside our homes, has enough toxins to cause ill-health. While investing in an air purifier and activated charcoal bags are good stuff, marching in a green army of indoor plants is a great ways to purify the indoor air, while adding serenity and beauty to your home.

How does indoor air get polluted? From cleaning products to upholstery to the building materials used in creating our abodes, indoor air gets polluted by a variety of toxins. And add to that the exhaust and fumes that enter through the window as well as a plethora of pollen and molds. While all kinds of greenery freshen up the air that we breathe, certain indoor plants are more efficient in absorbing toxic particulates and infusing oxygen into our homes.
Here are 9 plants that are part of my cleaning crew and can be yours too.
Garden Mum: NASA declared this popular plant as an air-purifying champion because of its superpowers to remove chemicals like xylene, formaldehyde, benzene and ammonia.
Spider Plant: If you’re beginner when it comes to growing potted plants, then start with this one. Keep them in indirect sunlight and watch them send out shoots with flowers. The spider plant cleans up xylene and formaldehyde.
Dracaena: Choose from over 40 different kinds of Dracaena plants. these plants with wide leaves and lines of red, cream or wite are known to snuff out xylene, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and benzene. However, these are toxic for cats and dogs, so keep them away from your pets.

Ficus: This hardy plant grows anywhere between two feet and 10. A low-maintainance fellow, keep it in brigt and indirect sunlight and let the soil dry out between watering. Ficus promises to swap out those deadly toxins like trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and benzene.
Peace Lily: These pretty little plants pack in a solid punch when it comes to purifying your indoor air. All they need is moist soil and a shady spot to work their magic on trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene and ammonia.
Boston Fern: Indirect sunlight and a cool spot sans humidity gets these champs going. These are known to remove xylene and formaldehyde.

Mother-in-law’s Tongue or Snake Plant: Even if you’re not a green thumb, you can easily bring home this plant and let it zap xylene, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and benzene.
Bamboo Palm: This rockstar palm thrives in bright light and grows really tall, up to 12-feet high and can purify a whole lot of indoor air. these palms remove trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and benzene.

Aloe Vera: Chocfull of healing properties, this plant will do double duty cleaning formaldehyde and acting as a balm for your inflamed skin.
What kind of air-purifying plants do you keep indoors?
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