Back in 1989 NASA published the first list of plants that filter air. This was part of the clean air study where they researched a way to clean air in space stations. NASA’s research suggested that there needs to be 1 plant per 100 square foot of office space.
Since then, other individuals and organisations, such as B C Wolverton, have compiled additional lists of plants that eliminate chemicals from the air. Earlier this week, we found an interesting blog from Holistic Health Naturally outlining plants that filter significant amounts of benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air. Some of our favourite plants from their list include:
Dypsis lutescens (Areca Palm) – although this plant is native to hot climates, such as Madagascar, it can be kept inside as a houseplant and is very popular in the UK. The plant was given the Royal Horticulture Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) – native to topical regions of South America and Asia, this flowering plant is an ideal plant for the office.
Sansevieria trifasciata (Snake Plant) – this evergreen plant is another not native to the cooler climates here in the UK. Despite this, the plant is happy to live inside making it a great plant to have at home or in the office.
Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig) – This plant, which is the official tree of Bangkok, is a hugely popular houseplant and thrives in bright sunny conditions.
Anthurium andraeanum (Flamingo Lily) – Anthurium andraeanum is a flowering plant species in the Araceae family. The species is native to Colombia and Ecuador. Common names for plants in the Anthurium genus include tailflower, flamingo flower, and laceleaf.
Phalaenopsis (Orchid) – known as the Moth Orchid, is an orchid genus of approximately 60 species. Phalaenopsis is one of the most popular orchids in the trade, through the development of many artificial hybrids. It is native to southern China, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia (Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc.), New Guinea, the Bismark Archipelago, and Queensland.
To see the full list of air-filtering plants, click here.
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