Houseplants That Clean the Air

People are starting to take notice of their indoor air quality. For years, pollution was only linked to the quality of air outside the home, but that’s starting to change with the green revolution. There has been an abundance of research conducted in the past few years that concluded green indoor plants can have a significant benefit to people’s overall health – especially for those who suffer from asthma.

Plants use a process called phytoremediation to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. When NASA was coming up with ways to improve the air quality for astronauts aboard the International Space Station in the late 1980s and 1990s, they learned and documented how green plants removed compounds and chemicals like formaldehyde, ammonia, and benzene from the air.

These cancer-causing chemicals are absorbed by the leaves of green plants. Once inside the leaves of the plants, the chemicals are transported to the roots of the plant – where microbes within the soil can break them down to their base elements and use them for food.

But which plants are the best? Luckily for you, we don’t just know heating and cooling – we know plants, too! For 20 years, Iceberg Heating & Cooling has been Monroe County’s premiere HVAC specialist, and today, we’re going talk about 5 houseplants that clean the air.

1. English Ivy.

English Ivies are prized for their air cleaning abilities. One of the best air cleaning plants you can buy, English ivies are hearty and next to impossible to kill. They grow up to 50-feet in length, and they love to climb. In fact, you will need to find an area in the home where these plants can stretch their legs. Consider planting them near a staircase or a trellis.

2. Rubber Plant.

Not only do rubber plants do a great job of eliminating VOCs from the air, but they look good while they’re doing it. These plants thrive in light that is indirect and not too hot. Rubber plants are perfect for home offices and brightly lit rooms.

3. Peace Lily.

The peace lily is one of our favorites. On top of cleaning your indoor air, these plants release tremendous amounts of moisture into the air – increasing the home’s relative humidity and making it more comfortable during winter. These beautiful lilies are easy to care for and will grow well in most areas of the home. They do, however, prefer shaded areas to light areas.

4. Kimberly Queen Fern.

Kimberly queen ferns are easy to care for, which makes them perfect for the family on the go. There’s no stressing over these little guys. They like bright indirect light but love direct morning sun. These plants are prized not only for their ability to clean the air but also their aesthetics, making them one of the most popular indoor plants in America.

5. Bamboo Palm.

Every home needs a bamboo palm. These plants are one of the few tropical plants that don’t need bright indirect light. Bamboo palms will thrive in just about any place you put them. The more light they’re exposed to, the taller they’ll grow, so if you have a two-story home and want a tall plant, just make sure it gets plenty of light. These plants go great with a sugar-rimmed Mai Tai.

While these houseplants are sure to make your indoor air cleaner, the best way to ensure the air you’re breathing is clean and free of cancer-causing VOCs is with regular maintenance checkups. At Iceberg Heating & Cooling, we offer a variety of options to improve the quality of your indoor air with our Comfort Club™ membership program. Comfort Club™ provides you with regular system checks, bi-annual checkups, and service. This will ensure your HVAC unit is operating at its best and will meet manufacturer requirements for extended warranties.