Indoor Plants for Oxygen: Top 10 NASA Recommended Plants to Improve Air Quality
“Plants give us oxygen for the lungs and for the soul.” — Terri Guillemets
The quality of the air is getting worse every day as a result of the growing pollution levels. This raises the risk of illnesses including bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, and many other breathing conditions. The only area that can shield us from all dangerous illnesses, including sunshine, contagious illnesses, strong winds, pollution, etc. is our home. We cherish our house because we believe it to be the safest place to live.
However, the truth is that when there is inadequate ventilation, indoor air can occasionally have toxic concentrations that are much higher than those in the outside air. We are all aware that plants are essential to human existence on earth and are one of the main sources of oxygen. Even if pollution and breathing dangerous chemicals cannot be avoided, indoor plants can assist maintain an adequate supply of clean air and oxygen.
There is something inexplicably relaxing or enjoyable about being surrounded by greenery, but some plants can actually help you breathe better by generating more oxygen. In addition to improving air quality, having plants indoors may also help with your mental health and peace of mind.
An essential right is the right to clean air. However, especially in cities, we rarely have exposure to pure air to breathe. The only viable option at this point seems to purchase an air purifier to purify our ambient air. However, air purifiers are costly. What then should one do?
Sources of Indoor Pollution
1.Burning Of Traditional Fuels
According to the World Health Organization, home air pollution causes the deaths of almost 4.3 million people each year. Are you serious? Burning traditional fuels for cooking, such as firewood, charcoal, and cow dung (which releases dioxins), is the major cause of this pollution. Chemicals/pollutants they produce include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, particulate matter, CO, NO2, and SO2.
2.Organic Resources
Burning organic resources, such as wood, coal, and petroleum products (like kerosene), also releases toxins into the air in our homes. These organic resources are utilised for many reasons, including water heating, even in metropolitan settings.
They release benzene, xylene, and toluene as chemicals.
3.Tobacco
It is well recognised that smoking tobacco is bad for our health. It destroys the environment as well as our health. More than 7000 compounds, which are harmful to both people and the environment, are found in tobacco smoke. 70 of these 7000 substances have been linked to human cancer.
They release benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde as chemicals.
4.Dry Cleaning
Dry cleaning uses a lot of chemical-based solvents, yet it may increase the lifetime of your clothes. Chemical residues from clothing leak into the atmosphere and contaminate it.
5.Household Products
Many chemicals are used to make products including dishwashing liquid, detergents, insecticides, carpets, insect repellents, air fresheners, deodorants, electric appliances, and wooden furniture, and some of these chemicals are released into the air and cause pollution.
They release volatile organic molecules as chemicals (VOC).
Some other indoor pollutants
Paper bags, waxed papers, tissues, paper towels, plywood panelling, and synthetic materials all contain formaldehyde.
Benzene is a chemical that is used to create polymers, resins, lubricants, detergents, and pharmaceuticals. It is also present in glue, furniture wax, and tobacco smoke.
Rubber, leather, cigarette smoke, and car exhaust all contain xylene.
Window cleaners, floor waxes, smelling salts, and fertilisers all include ammonia.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) is a dangerous gas that is created when fuel is burned in industries and by cars. It is concentrated heavily in areas that are clogged with traffic and cars.
These are some of the air pollution sources, and this is how our inside air becomes contaminated. We must safeguard ourselves from these dangerous compounds in our homes. Chemically prepared sprays and products cannot be used continuously and may cause additional problems, so using them to lower concentrations is not a long-term fix. The most truthful answer to this issue is to grow indoor air-purifying plants. Some indoor plants may clean the air, much as how trees purify the air outside.
These plants aid in the removal of dangerous airborne particles (chemicals, contaminants). NASA did a research on plants in 1980 with the goal of enhancing the air quality inside a vacuum-sealed spacecraft, and they came to the conclusion that houseplant roots and soil decreased airborne volatile organic compounds.
What Does the NASA Clean Air Study Entail?
The Clean Air Study was created and carried out to investigate safe and efficient techniques to filter the air in compact, closed-off areas like space stations. However, people who resided and worked in these structures began to complain of irritants and odd symptoms throughout the day, such as rashes and sleepiness. According to experts, it was vital to breathe clean air to prevent these symptoms.
Everyone is aware that plants use photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, but NASA hypothesised that plants would be able to take things a step further and take harmful pollutants directly away from the environment.
The efficacy of several houseplants, including English ivy, spider plants, and chrysanthemums, was examined in the NASA houseplant research when exposed to formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, ammonia, and trichloroethylene.
The top NASA clean air research plants for each room are listed below
Plants For Your Living Room That Have NASA Approval
Areca Palm
The Areca Palm is not only a highly attractive plant, but it also produces a lot of oxygen and eliminates many of the poisons that NASA studied. The Areca Palm is organically designed to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, much like all other plants. What distinguishes the Areca Palm? However, is its capacity to eliminate harmful toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the environment it is placed in.
For plant maintenance, each person need four shoulder-high plants, and we must clean the leaves daily in Delhi, and maybe once every week in cities with cleaner air. It has to be fertilised around every two weeks and watered every two to three days. The Areca Palm does best in filtered light and requires frequent watering. They needed to be grown in vermi dung which uses hydroponics or is sterile, and take them outside in every three to four months
A Dragon Tree for your living room is another option.
Make careful to keep these slow-growing, tree-like plants in a place with high ceilings, such as your living space, since they may grow to be over two metres tall! When the topsoil gets dry, which often happens once a week, water your dragon tree.
This prickly, slow-growing plant fights contaminants including trichloroethylene and xylene. The vibrant red accent on the leaves gives your decor a pop of brightness.
According to clean air research conducted by NASA, this plant cleans the air by absorbing formaldehyde, nitrogen oxide, xylene, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
Plants That NASA Has Approved For Your Home Office
Money Plant
Money plants are among the greatest indoor plants for cleaning the air, making them an excellent choice. One of the most popular home plants in India is the money plant. It is thought to bring success and fortune into our house. It looks nice either way, so you can grow it as a hanging plant or a climber. Additionally, it is a beneficial plant for air purification that, when growing nearby, aids in eliminating contaminants from the air.
The Money Plant, highlighted by NASA, is well known for its capacity to eliminate chemicals and other air pollutants, including benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. Despite the advantage of its fast purifying rate, this plant is deadly if its leaves are swallowed by cats, dogs, or young children.
If your workspace just has a little window, don't panic; it also does well in indirect light.
Plants For Your Children's Playroom That Have NASA Approval
Spider Plant
Spider plants are an excellent option for purifying the air in your kids' playroom because they are non-toxic to people (and dogs and cats, too). Of course, you should still take precautions to keep the plant out of your child's reach since you don't want to lose it because your youngster thought the leaves were a nice snack.
Spider plants are excellent at removing xylene from the air and can even aid in lowering the harmful chemical carbon monoxide. Once a week is generally right for watering your spider plant, and don't worry if you overwater it because they are usually pretty thirsty!
Formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene may all be removed by a spider plant. The hardy spider plant is a great option for those of you who are new to growing houseplants.
Plants for your bedroom that has NASA Approval
Take precaution while keeping plants in your bedroom. In contrast to what you want, many plants halt photosynthesis at night and instead produce carbon dioxide. The following plants, however, continue to create a significant amount of oxygen even after dusk, allowing you to breathe cleaner air and awaken feeling rejuvenated.
Snake Plant
The Snake Plant, which is amusingly called Mother-In-Law’s tongue functions best at night.
While you sleep, it works to eliminate toxins and create oxygen, making you feel much more rested and prepared to take on the day when you awaken.
Don't overwater it; snake plants don't tolerate excessive moisture well and are susceptible to rot.
You may also give the Gerbera Daisy a shot.
These plants, which have green leaves and red blossoms and can easily fit into any upscale bedroom, are also quite good at constantly cleansing the air. At night, gerbera daisies continue to generate a lot of oxygen and purge the air of benzene, trichloroethylene, and other pollutants.
Place your Gerbera Daisy near a window in the spring, summer, or fall so it may enjoy the strong light. It prefers to recharge in indirect light throughout the winter. About once a week, water your Gerbera Daisy and make sure the soil is maintained wet.
Plants That NASA Has Approved For Your Bathroom
Lady Palm
The Lady Palm makes a great bathroom plant, according to NASA. You undoubtedly use cleaning products that contain ammonia in your bathroom, and keeping this plant can help eliminate the toxic gas from the air.
There's no need to fear if you enjoy taking lengthy, steamy showers because this plant also enjoys humidity. However, keep in mind that if your lady palm is in the bathroom, the natural moisture will provide it with some hydration, so you won't need to water it as frequently.
The Best Flowering Plants For Your Home
While houseplants are fantastic, there's nothing like a gorgeous arrangement of flowers to make your home seem cheerier!
Try some vibrant Chrysanthemums if you're seeking for flowers with all the advantages we've listed above.
These lovely blossoms, which come in orange, yellow, red, and pink hues, can cheer up even the darkest of days. Chrysanthemums function to remove ammonia and benzene from the air, providing you with clean, fresh air to breathe.
Other NASA Approved Plants
Weeping Fig
A little but gorgeous plant with full, thick, and glossy leaves is the weeping fig, commonly known as the ficus tree. The weeping fig can raise oxygen levels, according to study. Additionally, it has the ability to filter out harmful VOCs including formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
Aloe Vera
The advantages of aloe vera are widely established. On the other hand, many people might not be familiar with its air-cleaning and oxygen-increasing qualities. The ability of the aloe vera plant to remove airborne pollutants like benzene and aldehydes is well known. It differs from other plants in that it also releases oxygen at night, which makes it a great choice for beds and other small places.
Peace Lily
White blossoms are unique and distinctive on peace lilies. They are a sign of prosperity, charm, and good fortune. They need little maintenance and are a wonderful way to increase indoor oxygen levels. In addition to being attractive, peace lilies may help your house by providing clean, oxygen-rich air. Peace lilies are very good at eliminating airborne impurities. Peace lilies are effective in removing benzene and trichloroethylene, according to NASA tests. These two pollutants are commonplace in both residences and workplaces.
What Advantages Does Filtered Air Offer?
Houseplants may be particularly good for our physical and mental health, as well as preventing symptoms and diseases like those brought on by the chemicals described above. In order to simulate "fresh air," houseplants produce oxygen.
As they emit water vapour, they also make the air more humid. This can avoid the dryness that many individuals suffer around their lips and nose during chilly winters or after spending too much time inside. Having indoor plants has significant advantages for the mind as well.
COVID has observed that we are spending an increasing amount of time at home, which has proven particularly challenging for individuals who live in flats. But plants enable us to bring nature indoors.
They can improve our mood, serve as a reminder of nature's curative power, and give us a sense of stability and focus.
These are a few of the plants that filter the air to improve indoor air quality by removing harmful pollutants. Some of these plants are poisonous to people and animals (only when they are ingested). Therefore, keep your dogs and children away from these plants. Another crucial thing to keep in mind is that overwatering causes nutrients to leak out of plants, which in turn causes issues like yellowing and rotting. Don't overwater your plants, therefore. In addition to cultivating these plants that purify the air, we need also take certain precautions to lessen the emissions of toxic pollutants.
These are the greatest houseplants for creating oxygen, according to several studies, and growing them inside may boost your indoor oxygen levels as well as your mental clarity, immunity, and energy levels.
How many do you intend to bring home with you?
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