Exotic plants are more than just beautiful decorative elements in your home—they can also improve the air quality in your apartment. Many species of plants have air-purifying qualities, helping to remove toxins, increase oxygen levels, and create a healthier living environment. This is especially beneficial in urban areas where air pollution can negatively affect indoor air quality.
In this article, we’ll explore how you can use exotic plants to improve the air quality in your apartment. We’ll cover the best air-purifying plants, how they work, and how to incorporate them into your home for maximum benefit.
Why Plants Improve Air Quality
Plants are natural air purifiers. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, a process known as photosynthesis. This helps maintain a balanced oxygen-carbon dioxide ratio in the air. But plants do much more than just provide oxygen. Certain plants have the ability to absorb harmful toxins from the air and filter them out, improving indoor air quality.
Plants achieve this through a process called phytoremediation. This involves the absorption of pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air through the leaves, stems, and roots. These pollutants are then broken down and stored in the plant tissue or converted into harmless substances. In fact, NASA’s Clean Air Study identified several plants that are particularly effective at purifying indoor air.
Best Exotic Plants for Improving Air Quality
Many exotic plants are excellent at improving air quality, and some are particularly well-suited for apartment living. Let’s take a look at the best air-purifying exotic plants that can thrive indoors.
1. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
The Peace Lily is one of the most popular air-purifying plants. It is known for its ability to filter out common toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Peace Lilies are also easy to care for and thrive in low to medium light conditions, making them ideal for apartments.
In addition to purifying the air, Peace Lilies add a touch of elegance to any room with their glossy green leaves and delicate white flowers. They’re perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, or offices.
2. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
The Snake Plant, also known as Mother-in-law’s Tongue, is another highly effective air purifier. It can remove toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from the air. One of the unique qualities of the Snake Plant is that it can continue to purify the air even at night, unlike most plants that only do so during the day.
Snake Plants are low-maintenance and thrive in a variety of lighting conditions, from low light to bright, indirect light. They’re also drought-tolerant, making them an excellent choice for busy individuals who may forget to water their plants regularly.
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a well-known plant for its medicinal properties, but it also serves as a powerful air purifier. Aloe Vera helps to remove formaldehyde and benzene from the air, making it a great addition to your apartment. Its thick, fleshy leaves are filled with a gel that has soothing properties, making it useful for treating burns and cuts.
This plant is easy to care for and requires minimal attention. Aloe Vera thrives in bright, indirect light and needs occasional watering. It’s a great plant for a kitchen or living room.
4. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
The Areca Palm, also known as the Butterfly Palm, is an exotic plant that not only adds a tropical touch to your apartment but also improves the air quality. It filters out xylene, toluene, and formaldehyde from the air. The Areca Palm is a particularly good choice for larger spaces due to its tall, elegant fronds.
This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and requires regular watering. It is best placed in a corner or near a window where it can receive plenty of natural light.
5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The Spider Plant is a popular and effective air purifier, capable of removing carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and xylene from the air. It’s easy to care for and can thrive in various conditions, making it a great choice for small apartments.
The Spider Plant is known for its unique appearance, with long, arching leaves and small white flowers. It’s also a fast grower and can produce “babies,” or small offshoots, that can be repotted and grown into new plants.
6. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
The Bamboo Palm is an elegant and effective air purifier, known for its ability to filter out formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. This plant is perfect for apartments with low to medium light, making it versatile for different spaces.
Bamboo Palms are also known for their ability to increase humidity, which is beneficial for dry indoor air, especially in winter. They’re ideal for bedrooms or living rooms where you want to improve both air quality and humidity levels.
7. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
The Rubber Plant is a popular exotic plant that’s highly effective at purifying the air. It can filter out formaldehyde and other toxins, helping to improve indoor air quality. The Rubber Plant’s large, glossy leaves make it a striking addition to any room.
This plant prefers bright, indirect light and needs to be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry. The Rubber Plant’s ability to purify the air and its attractive appearance make it a great choice for living rooms or offices.
How to Incorporate Air-Purifying Plants Into Your Apartment
Once you’ve chosen your air-purifying plants, it’s important to know how to incorporate them into your apartment for maximum benefit. Here are some tips on how to position your plants and create a healthier living space.
Place Plants Near High-Traffic Areas
To make the most of the air-purifying benefits, place your plants near areas with the highest air circulation. This includes places like your living room, kitchen, or office, where you spend a lot of time. These areas are also likely to have more air pollutants, which makes them the perfect spot for your plants to clean the air.
Group Plants Together
If you have several plants, grouping them together can help increase their air-purifying efficiency. Plants naturally release oxygen and moisture, so grouping them in a well-lit area will create a more humid and oxygen-rich environment. This is especially beneficial in dry environments, where plants can help improve air quality and humidity levels.
Regular Care and Maintenance
To keep your plants healthy and working at their best, regular care and maintenance are essential. Make sure to clean the leaves periodically to remove dust and debris, as this will help the plants absorb more light and improve their air-purifying capabilities. Additionally, ensure your plants are in well-draining soil and are watered according to their specific needs.
Avoid Overcrowding
While grouping plants together is beneficial, avoid overcrowding them. Ensure that each plant has enough space to grow and that they’re not blocking each other’s access to light. Proper spacing will allow your plants to thrive and work efficiently in purifying the air.
Final Thoughts
Exotic plants are a great way to improve the air quality in your apartment while adding beauty and vibrancy to your living space. By selecting the right air-purifying plants and incorporating them into your home, you can create a healthier, more oxygen-rich environment. With a little care and attention, these plants will help clean the air and create a more relaxing and comfortable space for you to enjoy.