Houseplants that Clean the Air

By e-Rambler

House plant

Buildings especially of that designed for energy efficiency, are often tightly sealed to avoid energy loss. The pollutants trapped inside result in what is called the "Sick Building Syndrome". One of the easiest ways to clean indoor air is using plants.

Things You'll Need:

• Plants that clean indoor air (see sample list in Step 7)
• Soft natural or artificial light
• Water
• Space
• Commercial fertilizer, organic compost (optional)
• A little time and love to care for the plants

1. 
   
   
   Step1
   
   A study recommends using a variety of at least fifteen plants for every 2,000sq/ft to help improve air quality. Following are some plants best for indoor air cleaning.
   
   
   
   
2. 
   
   
   Step2
   
   Draceana - - It likes medium-low light. Best to let them dry out between waterings. Has dark green leaves and grows to about one foot tall.
   
   
   
   
3. 
   
   
   Step3
   
   Arrowhead vine - - A plant with lovely green and yellow leaves. The arrowhead vine likes high humidity, medium light, and soilwith lots of organic material.
   
   
   
   
4. 
   
   
   Step4
   
   
   
   
   English ivy
   
   
   
   
   Bamboo palm - - A large sized indoor plant. It can grow up to 10 - 14 feet in height. They do best high humidity and in medium light.
   
   
   
   
5. 
   
   
   Step5
   
   
   
   
   Golden pothos
   
   
   
   
   Boston fern - - These have been used as houseplants since the Victorian era and remains popular today. They don't like high heat and low humidity. But don't let their pot soak in excess water.
   
   
   
   
6. 
   
   
   Step6
   
   English ivy: It is better more popular for use in outdoor landscaping but also works very good as an indoor plant. The plant does fine in any indirect light. It will grow well under artificial light conditions also.
   
   
   
   
7. 
   
   
   Step7
   
   Some other plants to consider are: Areca palm, Lady palm, Rubber plant, Corn plant, Golden pothos, Weeping fig, Schlefflera, Spathiphyllum, Snake plant, Spider plant, Chinese evergreen, Cornstalk dracaena, Peace lily, Janet Craig dracaena and Elephant ear philodendron. These can be found easily in nurseries and gardening centers.
   
   
   
   
8. 
   
   
   Step8
   
   
   
   
   Rubber plant
   
   
   
   
   Experiments by NASA show that many houseplants are excellent at purifying indoor air and at neutralizing pollutants and chemicals from the air. Scientists have proven the plants so effective and they may even be used aboard space stations in the future, as a part of life support systems.
   
   
   
   
9. 
   
   
   Step9
   
   Periodically wipe clean the leaves with paper towel or cloth. Dust that land on the leaves hamper breathing of the plant.