Herbal Blessing: AIR PURIFYING HOUSEPLANTS

Have you thanked a green plant today?

Houseplants not only are useful as accessories in our homes, they also make people feel better, perform better and enjoy life more. All green plants use the carbon dioxide we breathe out and provide us with oxygen through photosynthesis, but some do much more. Some are also beneficial as living air purifiers removing several common pollutants of our everyday lives. In order to obtain the most benefit, use one 6” plant container for every 100 square feet of living space.

This is a list of plants that are recommended for treating the following sources of indoor air pollution:

Trichloroethylene (TCE) - primarily used in the metal degreasing and dry cleaning industries; also in printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes, adhesives.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum

Dracaena (Dracaena spp)

Benzene - a very commonly used solvent also present in many common items including inks, oils, paints, dyes, plastics, rubber, dyes, detergents, gasoline, pharmaceutical, tobacco smoke, synthetic fibers.

Dracaena (Dracaena spp)

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Formaldehyde - major sources include foam insulation and particle board or pressed wood products. Also used in consumer paper products including grocery bags, waxed papers, facial tissues and paper towels. Many common household cleaning agents contain formaldehyde. Other sources include heating and cooking fuels like natural gas, kerosene, and cigarette smoke.

Aloe (Aloe barbadensis)

Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)

Philodendron (Philodendron spp)

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Golden Pothos (Epipiremnum aureum)

Mother-in-law’s Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)

Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)