Whenever the outdoor air in highly polluted, the first thing that people run for are masks, whether it be simple cloth or doctor ones to the more precise N95 ones to make sure they are well protected against all toxins and dust particles. Alternatively, people start to take a step back and stay at home thinking that, staying at home will help them reduce the exposure to the deadly pollutants in the air. What one doesn’t comprehend is that, staying indoors isn’t the solution. The truth is that indoor air quality can be very deceiving. Because, primarily you can’t stay indoors forever and secondly, the air you breathe inside your home is not as clean as you think it to be. Therefore, a more realistic approach that is long-term and environment-friendly is, to bring home tubs of air purifying plants that work towards cleansing the air.
Yes, such plants do exist and they’re easily available too in very good nurseries like the Mumbai-based nurseries like Root Bridges. You can improve the breathing area in your home by adopting green house plants in your bedroom or living room. These air purifying plants for bedroom and living room are particularly effective in getting rid of pollutants and toxins from the air, thereby increasing oxygen levels. To set up your healthier breathing ground you don’t necessarily need a huge terrace or balcony. Instead, all you need is a little space right inside your home for these attractive yet beneficial green plants. Find below the best indoor plants for air purification India.
The air inside your home is no fresher than outside. Bringing in these 12 Air-purifying plants or anti-pollution plants India, will purify the air, add freshness and colour to your home. So, without further delay, bring one of these homes now!
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is beneficial plant as it not only cleanses the air of benzene and formaldehyde but also absorbs carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. It is a great plant to keep at home as it is short, easy to grow and maintain. Moist soil and mild sunlight help to easily propagate a single plant into multiple plants in a short period. An added benefit is that aloe vera gel contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties and helps maintain a great complexion.
2. Peace Lily
Peace Lily is one of NASA’s best-known cleansing plants for removing common household toxins. It Like aloe vera, this plant too cleanses the air of benzene and formaldehyde, thereby cleaning up our breathing space. An easy to grow plant with white flowers, it’s amongst the super air purifying indoor plants and cleanser that can effectively remove indoor pollutants emitted by electronics, furniture and other household items.
3. Golden Pothos
Out of all the air purifying plants India, Golden Pothos is one of the most effective air purifiers to combat toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, carbon monoxide, benzene and more. It does not require much maintenance as it grows easily and remains green even when kept in the dark.
4. English Ivy
These evergreen air purifying indoor plants helps to lower airborne faecal matter particles and filters out formaldehyde prevalent in the air. This plant requires maintenance as it attracts pests on not receiving enough light. Further, it needs care while watering as the plant, in general, does not like standing water. Nonetheless, despite it being a high maintenance plant, it is still one of the most useful air purifying plants or anti-pollution plant, as it can remove over 55 percent of the toxins in the air.
5. Weeping Fig
A long lasting, low- maintenance leafy plant, weeping fig is known to combat pollutants generated by household items such as furniture, carpets and curtains. It is one of the hardiest air purifying indoor plants which needs to be placed in bright indirect light. It takes a while to grow in the initial stages, but thereafter it grows into a big plant significantly improving the air quality and rendering amazing air cleaning results.
6. Warneck Dracaena
These foliage air purifying plants for bedrooms and living room filters the air from pollutants such as xylene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. As far as its maintenance is concerned, it does not need direct sunlight. The soil this plant thrives in should be damp but not soggy since overwatering might turn the leaves yellow. The plant can grow as tall as 12 feet and therefore may require periodic pruning.
7. Azalea (Rhododendron Simsii)
Azaleas in bloom in varied colours are a pretty sight to behold. If planted in a group, it is sure to add colour and freshness to your living spaces. This lovely dual-purpose plant not only acts as an air purifier but also adorns us indoors with its attractive blooms. This beautiful flowering air purifying indoor plants grows well in bright but cool areas which do not get direct sunlight as bright sunlight tends to burn the leaves. It helps to counter the ill effects of formaldehyde from plywood and foam insulation. To maintain the plant’s shape, you can trim it when the blooming period has expired.
8. Bamboo Palm
The bamboo plant, also known as the Butterfly Palm or Areca Palm is one of the best air purifying plants India. A hardy plant, it filters benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. It needs moist soil and placement in an area with good air circulation. As an added benefit beyond air purification, it is also a natural humidifier making it even more useful during the dry winter. Areca palms thrive in areas with bright but not direct sunlight. The plant requires regular pruning as it grows rapidly. Since it is non-toxic it is safe for pets.
9. Green Spider Plant
Spider plants are useful air-purifying indoor plants for bedroom grows easily and requires minimal care. It needs well-drained soil and watered two-three times a week. Also known as an air purifying plant, it eliminates xylene and formaldehyde present indoors. This plant is very safe and non-toxic for pets and small children. It needs bright indirect sunlight to thrive. One plant is apparently enough to clean the air in a 200 sq. m space.
10. Snake Plant
Snake plant or Mother – in – Law’s Tongue is a hardy, easy to grow and propagate plant requiring minimal attention. The only thing to remember is that they need to be planted in free draining soil. These air purifying plants are one of the top air purifying plants for bedrooms and living rooms as identified by NASA. It is best suited for bathrooms as it can survive in low light and humid conditions. It filters out formaldehyde which is commonly found in personal care products.
11. Indian Basil
Basil commonly known as Tulsi, this plant requires little-to-no maintenance. It is one of the best air purifying plants India or anti-pollution plants India with medicinal properties. The tulsi plant requires regular sunlight so the best place to keep this plant would be near a window. And, yes, don’t forget to water this air purifying plants, regularly.
12. Money Plant
Money plants are powerful air purifying plants India or anti-pollution plants that will clean the air inside your house effectively. It requires regular watering and thrives in indirect sunlight. These plants propagate rapidly, therefore, they need to be pruned regularly. Be warned, the leaves of a money plant are toxic for dogs, cats or small children if ingested.
Other Air Purifying Plants Include
- Heart-leaf Philodendron
- Chinese Evergreen
- Gerber Daisy
When it comes to having air purifying plants in bedrooms, the rule of thumb is, the more the better. Each plant pumps out loads of fresh oxygen and cleans toxins out of the air just how nature intends. If you are ready to go all in and upgrade your indoor air quality, adopt the above-mentioned air purifying plants in India also commonly known as Anti-Pollution Plants in India. I hope this gives you a good list of the best indoor plants for air purification India. For more details, you can look at air purifies at Root Bridges.
Mudita Khanna (mudita.khanna@gmail.com) has contributed to this article.