Meet The Woman Who Purifies The Air With Plants

Looking to reduce toxins in your home? Since we currently spend most of our time indoors, healthy air quality should be a top priority. The right to clean air is a fundamental right. Yet we rarely ever get to breathe clean air, especially in cities. Living in an energy-efficient, modern buildings can have unintended side effects. One of these side effects is less airflow. Lack of airflow allows for indoor air pollution to build up and cause health issues like asthma or sick building syndrome.

Now, buying an air purifier to clean our ambient air seems like the only wise option.
But air-purifiers are expensive. So, what does one do? Invest in houseplants. Air-purifying plants are natural wonders—these plants actually clean toxins from the air in your home. According to the Environmental Protective Agency, a growing body of scientific evidence shows that the air in our homes “can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities,” which means we need these plants now more than ever.

Plants are also known to:

  • increase mood and productivity
  • enhance concentration and memory
  • reduce stress and fatigue

Different plants are better at fighting different types of indoor air pollution, so your best bet is to cultivate a variety of these plants so they can work together to fight all types of toxins. Growing With Alice shares various gardening techniques that can be used indoor and outdoor. In she shares some great indoor plant options that purify your air naturally.

Safety concerns before you buy a plant

You may want to reconsider air-purifying plants if you have pets such as cats and dogs. Remember: some plants and plant parts can be toxic. Keep them out of the reach of children and pets. Ask the staff at your local greenhouse about pet-safe and allergy-safe options. You can also lookup which plants are toxic to animals on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants page.