13 Types of Aesthetic Indoor Air-Purifying Plants

By Tim Indonesia Asri

Ornamental plants provide numerous benefits for homes, both in terms of aesthetics and peace of mind. However, did you know that there are indoor air-purifying plants that can freshen up your house?

These ornamental plants are known to improve the air quality at home. Do you want to know what these types are? Read this article to the end!

List of Indoor Air-Purifying Plants

Ornamental plants offer various benefits, including relaxing the mind while enhancing the appearance of the home. Additionally, several types of indoor plants can serve as air purifiers. 

According to a journal published in the Journal of Building Engineering, there are many ways to improve indoor air quality. These include using air conditioners or heaters equipped with air filters, ensuring sufficient ventilation, adding green plants, and more.

Among these options, taking care of plants is an economical, environmentally friendly choice and has the potential to be a pretty effective method.

This is because plants photosynthesize by converting the surrounding carbon dioxide into oxygen and releasing it back. In addition to oxygen, plants also release water moisture, which affects room humidity. Ornamental plants can also serve as a means of remediation, absorbing pollutants.

However, ornamental plants cannot fully replace air purifiers. So, depending on the condition of your home, you may still need an air purifier, with ornamental plants serving as additional air cleaners.

If Warga Asri is looking for recommendations for indoor air-purifying plants, here is the list:

1. Dracaena

Dracaena

Dracaena is a long-leaved plant with soft-colored edges, such as white, cream, or red. This plant, often referred to as the lucky bamboo, can grow up to four meters tall. It is believed to absorb pollutants in the air.

However, you should keep dracaena away from cats and dogs, as it can be toxic to them. This is due to the plant containing saponin, a chemical that may trigger vomiting, diarrhea, or other risks to dogs and cats.

2. Golden Pothos

Golden Pothos

Golden pothos has become one of the favorites in ornamental plants due to its heart-shaped leaves. The leaves are also shiny because they are coated with a layer of wax. To plant it, you can place it in a jar filled with enough water.

3. Snake Plant

Snake Plant

The snake plant is also one of the popular indoor air-purifying plants. This plant is said to be capable of absorbing pollutants in the air, thus improving its quality. In fact, the snake plant is one of the indoor air-purifying plants that can thrive without sunlight, making it suitable for indoor placement.

4. English Ivy

English ivy is believed to absorb benzene, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants from the air, making it cleaner. In fact, this plant is often placed in bathrooms because it can absorb moisture, thus reducing unpleasant odors caused by overly damp rooms.

Note that this plant may not be safe for pet dogs and cats as it can be poisonous to them, so keep it away from pets or choose other indoor air-purifying plants that are more pet-friendly.

Read also: How to Grow Indoor Plants: 9 Steps to Make Them Flourish!

5. Yellow Palm

The yellow palm can grow up to 3 meters tall and is suitable as an ornamental plant in your home, both indoors and on the terrace. This plant can absorb pollutants, such as benzene and formaldehyde, making the room feel fresher. This plant is safe for pets.

6. Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum is often used as home decorations. Additionally, these flowers can also serve as air purifiers because they can remove benzene and ammonia from the room.

However, this plant is toxic to cats and dogs because it contains pyrethrins, Sesquiterpene Lactones, and essential oils. These three substances can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other effects in dogs and cats.

7. Sri Rejeki

The sri rejeki plant can absorb benzene, toluene, xylene, and formaldehyde from the air, thus improving its freshness. Like the snake plant, this plant also does not require much sunlight, making it suitable for indoor growth.

8. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is another indoor air-purifying plant that can remove benzene and formaldehyde from the air. This plant, which can be beneficial for hair health, requires plenty of sunlight, so it is best placed in a sunny spot.

9. Boston Fern

Boston fern is a small-leaved plant that can clean xylene and formaldehyde from the air. In addition, this plant also maintains humidity in the room. To care for it, you can place it in a sunny spot and water it sufficiently.

10. Spider Plant

The spider plant is an indoor air purifier that is easy to care for because it requires indirect sunlight. This plant can remove formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and xylene from the air, making it cleaner.

11. Peace Lily

Peace Lily

The peace lily is a beautiful flowering lily that usually has a white color. This plant can purify the air and maintain humidity, preventing the room from becoming easily infested with mold. This lily can also absorb ammonia, benzene, and other toxic substances from the air.

12. Palm Parlor

The palm parlor is a type of palm plant with more lush leaves. This palm is also suitable for minimalist houses because of its moderate size. You can place it in a pot that matches the color of the house walls.

13. Aglaonema

Aglaonema can also be a choice of indoor air-purifying plants. It features a unique pattern that combines red, green, and yellow colors. However, this plant is toxic to dogs, so you need to be careful in placing it in the house.

Read also: 9 Ways to Take Care of Plants, Easy and Effective!

Tips for Cleaning the Air at Home

In addition to the indoor air-purifying plants mentioned above, you can also apply the following tips to clean the air in your residence:

  • Use an air purifier or air filter.
  • Regularly sweep and mop the floor so that no dust flies around.
  • Adding ventilation holes in the house.
  • Reducing humidity in the room.
  • Avoid using air fresheners and synthetic cleaners excessively.

Thus, several recommendations for indoor air-purifying plants that you can choose from. Remember, although these plants help freshen the air, they can’t fully take the place of an air purifier.

Additionally, be sure to check the information about the plants before purchasing them to ensure they are safe for pets.

Caring for ornamental plants is indeed an environmentally friendly choice to improve air quality in your home. However, besides taking care of plants, you also need to maintain your home’s cleanliness by sorting waste before disposal and implementing a sustainable lifestyle.

If you want to adopt this lifestyle, you can join Indonesia Asri! Here, you can participate in various positive activities and exciting challenges, such as #AksiAsri.

Don’t wait any longer! Register yourself now and show your best contribution to our beloved Earth!Read also: 8 Benefits of AC Water, from Watering Plants to Washing a Car

By Tim Indonesia Asri
A campaign initiated by Chandra Asri to jointly create a more beautiful Indonesia; An Indonesia with a sustainable environmental perspective can become a legacy for future generations.
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