Purifying Plants: NASA Guide to Air-Filtering Houseplants

pollution houseplant guide

Plant life in your home can do far more than brighten up the space, filtering toxins and pollutants from the air your breath everyday – this infographic draws on NASA data to help guide you toward the best options for your home. For best results, buy and place one plant per 100 square feet of interior space. Fortunately, many of these are also quite common species you can pick up pre-potted at your local flower or gardening shop.

pollution guidei nforgraphic air

As the Clean Air Study shows (graphic by Love The Garden), not all plants are as useful when it comes to cleaning your air. Indeed, different plants have varied strengths and weaknesses when it comes to particular particulates and other pollution. “The NASA Clean Air Study has been led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in association with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA). Its results suggest that certain common indoor plants may provide a natural way of removing toxic agents such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air, helping neutralize the effects of sick building syndrome.” 

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See more in Earth & Nature or under Science. June, 2015.