Introduction to air purifying plant
All plants are air purifiers because they absorb toxins in the air and give the life blood of human life, oxygen. However there are a few specialist indoor and outdoor plants which significantly help purifying air around us and provide us clean air for breathing. Some plants, including the NASA list of air purifying plants, have been scientifically studied for their benefits. In outdoor air purifying plants, Tulsi (holy basil), Aloe Vera, English Ivy, and Areca Palm are noteworthy mentions. Among indoor plants, Snake plant, ZZ, Aglaonema, Money plant (Scindapsus), Philodendron and Syngonium are great additions. We shall hereinbelow focus more on indoor air purifier plants, as indoor air has a higher concentration of toxins due to lack of ventilation.
Ideal condition for air purifying plants to grow
Air purifying plants especially, the indoor ones, are less demanding in nature. Their care varies slightly from plant to plant and depends on the media they are grown in (water, soil, or cocopeat). Almost all plants like well-lit conditions even if kept indoors. Though most plants can be planted in soil with mix of some nutrition or plant feed, mixing some cocopeat helps plants maintain some moisture and aeration in their roots. Ideally any potted plant needs replenishment of nutrition every 15 to 20 days to give them the macronutrients and micronutrients they need. Finally, a preventive spray of mild insecticides and fungicides on a monthly basis creates healthy conditions for growth.
6 Caring tips for Air Purifier Plants
- Outdoor plants like Tulsi and English Ivy need full sun and daily watering.
- Outdoor air purifying plants like Aloe Vera and Areca Palm should be watered well every 2-3 days.
- Indoor plants like peace lily and spider plant need watering on alternative days, and need to placed in good light.
- Plants like Aglaonemas, Dieffenbachia, all types of money plants, philodendrons are more tolerant of shade and can survive with twice a week watering if planted in cocopeat.
- All kind of ferns are semi shade plants and need good amount of watering on alternative days. They can be placed indoors provided there is enough light.
- Plants like Snake Plants, and ZZ plants can be placed indoor as well and need watering only once a week. However, they grow better if placed in sun for few hours in 7-10 days.
All types of air purifying plants also need to be given plant feed in about 3-4 weeks and a preventive spray of insecticides once a month. Should the branches or leaves catch fungus, neem oil mixed in water should be sprayed on infected part on weekly basis. Neem cake or powder is an alternative feed that can be mixed in the soil/cocopeat for better immunity of plant. For those of you who like to put that extra effort, plant shampoo mixed in a water for a foliar spray to ensure that leaves stay clean, shining and disease free.
Conclusion
Air purifying plants are the need of the hour, but a few tips can go a long way for the health of your plant. For any more questions, feel free to reach us.