Chinese Evergreen
The first thing we bought for our new baby’s room was an air purifier, even before we got a crib. Only later we learned that we could have saved a few hundred dollars plus monthly electrical charges if only we knew what our ancestors used for centuries. Many houseplants (list below) will do a great job at air filtration for free (and look great at the same time). What better way to start going green than using plants that purify the air.
Based on NASA research (via Zone 10) the following plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, as all plants do, but they also eliminate significant amounts of benzene, formaldehyde and/or tricholoroethylene from the air.
Top 10 plants that purify the air:
- Bamboo Palm
- Chinese Evergreen
- English Ivy
- Gerbera Daisy
- Janet Craig
- Marginata
- Mass cane/Corn Plant
- Mother-in-Law’s Tongue
- Pot Mum
- Peace Lily
English Ivy
Peace Lily
Gerbera Daisy
Other great air-purifying plants:
- Warneckii
- Philodendron
- Aloe Vera
- Golden Pothos
- Rubber plant (Ficus Elastica)
- Ficus benjamina
- Boston Fern
Philodendron
To prevent babies and young children from eating these plants and causing possible allergic reaction or poisoning, always keep them out of their reach.
Sources and resources
Colorado State University houseplants guide, Environmental Graffiti
