So why do we need to purify our air in the first place? Modern indoor spaces like your home or office often suffer from a lack of airflow, while building materials, synthetic home furnishings, cleaning products and more can all release harmful chemicals into the air.
This means the air inside can become stagnant and indoor air pollution can build up, potentially worsening symptoms of respiratory conditions such as asthma, exacerbating skin problems or causing Sick Building Syndrome.
Plug-in air purifiers might be effective, however, they are unsustainable, impractically creating yet more pollution as they guzzle energy to remove pollution.
Luckily for us, there’s an amazing natural alternative: the humble houseplant. Air purifying plants can help to increase oxygen levels, remove toxins, increase humidity and more, all while transforming your home into a chic urban jungle.
Like all green plants, air purifying indoor plants cleanse the air through photosynthesis. This is the process by which plants convert sunlight into food (and is necessary for life on earth!).
During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air, transforming it into energy to store for themselves and oxygen which they release back into the air. While taking in carbon dioxide, plants also absorb airborne toxins, cleansing the air of harmful chemicals like xylene, ammonia and benzene.
Plants’ ability to convert sunlight into energy depends on small organelles called chloroplasts. These contain the pigment chlorophyll which gives plants their green colour. The more chlorophyll a plant contains (eg. the greener and leafier it is), the more efficient it is at photosynthesising.
Investing in air purifying plants comes with plenty of wellness benefits. Your indoor oasis may help to...
- Boost your immunity.
- Reduce the occurence of headaches.
- Relieve symptoms of respiratory conditions.
- Relieve allergy symptoms.
- Reduce fatigue, make you feel more alert and improve focus.
- Boost your skin health.
While all green plants offer some level of air purifying service, there are some that are more efficient than others. Here are some of our favourite outstanding oxygenators which will work wonders for your interior aesthetic, your instagram feed and, most importantly, the air you breathe.
With their curling green fronds and trailing tendrils, ferns are some of the most popular indoor plants around. They are also some of the best air purifying plants available. From luscious Boston Ferns to wild, spiky Asparagus Emerald Ferns, we’ve got a diverse collection of these humidity-loving natural air filters to enhance your interiors and cleanse your air.
Calatheas are the queens of the indoor plant world. Voluptuous, bold and striking with beautifully patterned leaves, calatheas will make a stylish statement in any interior. Plus, their abundant foliage and large leaves means that these botanical beauties are super efficient photosynthesizers and cleanse the air of toxins. We are proud to offer a uniquely diverse range of calatheas, from stunning, purple edged Calathea Elgergrass and Calathea Medallion, to vivid and verdant Calathea Bluegrass and Calathea Network.
One of NASA’s top scorers, philodendrons have large leaves that are bursting with that detoxifying expert - chlorophyll. As tropical plants, philodendrons love moisture and will also increase the humidity levels and improve air quality. Take care of them and they will reward you with a fresh, pure and clean indoor atmosphere that makes you feel clear-headed and calm. Choose Philodendron Ruby for a rosy-tinted showstopper, or Silver Sword Philodendron for something calmer and cooler.
Check out our full range of purifying plant pals in our carefully curated Air Purifying Plants section.
For more fascinating information on indoor plants and air quality, check out what the Royal Horticultural Society has to say about houseplants and how they support human health here.
FAQ
NASA recommends having at least two or three plants in 20 to 10-inch pots for every 9 square metres of indoor space. Other studies say 5 or more will deliver even better results. Here at Bloombox Club, we say the more the merrier!
Houseplants are great cleaning buddies - trapping the dust that would otherwise remain airborne and helping to relieve allergy symptoms. However, this means the leaves of your air purifying plant could end up looking pretty dusty. Regularly wiping away the dust with a damp cloth will restore your plant to its former glossy glory, and will allow it to photosynthesize more efficiently.
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