So Long, Air Pollutants

We all love to have way more plants than we need scattered around the house, because they're pretty nice to look at. From baby succulents to huge palms, houseplants are an ongoing obsession. Good news: this can actually be very beneficial! Many typical houseplants provide you with your own air-freshening service by absorbing air pollutants into their leaves, leaving you with cleaner oxygen. We've gone ahead and compiled a list of our top 10 favorite air-purifying plants, just for you. 

Here's a quick list of the pollutants* mentioned below:

Trichloroethylene is found in paints/inks and can cause nausea and headaches.

Xylene is found in car exhaust/smoke fumes and can cause dizziness and headaches.

Ammonia is found in cleaners/waxes and can cause throat/eye irritation.

Benzene is found in detergents/pesticides and can cause drowsiness and confusion.

Formaldehyde is found in paper towels/bags and can cause nose/throat irritation.

*These symptoms refer to the consequences of being exposed for a short amount of time. If you experience anything severe, please contact a doctor or medical professional.

Our Top 10 Houseplants

1. Dragon Tree

The Dragon Tree removes trichloroethylene and xylene from the air. To care for it, do your best to keep the plant in a humid part of your house. Water when the top of the soil gets dry, but don't worry about missing a day or so.

2. Spider Plant

The Spider Plant removes formaldehyde and xylene from the air. To care for this little guy, keep it in direct sunlight if possible, and don't water it too much. If you prefer, feel free to let it dry out a bit between watering sessions, since too much water can damage its roots. 

3. Peace Lily

Out of these 10 plants, the Peace Lily is the best air purifier; it removes formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, trichloroethylene, and ammonia from the air. To care for Miss Lily, keep her in a very humid location, as they thrive off of high humidity. Interestingly enough, this plant has a reaction to certain chemicals found in tap water, so try your best to water it with filtered, clean water.

4. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera removes formaldehyde from the air. In addition to its air-purifying qualities, aloe vera can be used as a sunburn remedy, among other healing properties. To care for it, water once every three weeks. They need very little water, so don't use too much.

5. Boston Fern

The Boston Fern removes formaldehyde and xylene from the air. To care for this fern, keep it in a warm and humid location, but make sure you water it frequently to prevent it from drying out.

6. English Ivy

English Ivy removes formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air. To care for this ivy, water it frequently so it remains moist, especially in the winter. Humid locations help with the moisture containment.

7. Bamboo Palm

The Bamboo Palm removes formaldehyde and xylene from the air. To care for this big guy, do the same as you would for the Spider Plant. Let it dry out between waterings, and make sure to not water it too much.

8. Pineapple Plant

Pineapple plants don't actually remove toxins from the air, but they do pump out more oxygen than the average plant. To care for this cool guy, use a spray bottle and mist the leaves at the top, just enough to keep it hydrated.

9. Azalea

Azaleas remove formaldehyde from the air. To care for this pretty plant, use mulch, instead of soil, in your pot. Make sure to water it often, as azaleas tend to dry out quickly.

10. Barberton Daisy

The Barberton Daisy removes formaldehyde, xylene, and trichloroethylene from the air. To care for this daisy, keep it in a window that receives direct sunlight. Water it once a day, in the morning, so the plant has time to thoroughly absorb the water.

Once you go out and buy all 10 of these flowers, along with pots to put them in, you'll probably be too worn out to clean your home. You've Got Maids is here to clean up the soil you spilled on your way in from the car. All you have to do is click the button below to get a free cleaning estimate, and our maids will walk into your home with a smile, not leaving until every speck of soil has been cleaned up.