Do you want to have the freshest house in the neighborhood? Swap out those toxic, sneezing-inducing, runny-nose-causing sprays for a 100% natural solution! Scientific research by NASA has shown that certain plants can absorb household toxins, thus purifying the air in your home. They also produce vital oxygen, making a double contribution to maintaining a naturally clean home. Before you think that these plants require special care, let us reassure you that each of the six plants below is very forgiving and easy to care for. So much so that some can even survive several weeks of neglect before they start to show signs of wilting.
Room runner
The goldenrod, botanically known as Epipremnum aureum, is a great houseplant to keep as a houseplant because it helps to clean the air of pollutants such as benzene, a compound found in paints, tobacco smoke and household cleaners. The goldenrod is extremely hardy and can thrive in most environments, making it a perfect indoor plant. So much so that some say that this perennial is harder to eradicate than to keep alive.
The room lily can grow up to 5-10 meters long and can be a special decoration of our home if planted in hanging baskets, thus creating a real green waterfall. The plant, blessed with showy, heart-shaped leaves, can be planted in the right place and even climbed up a trellis or column, thus "transforming" it into a decorative creeper.
Sailflower
The triangular flowers of the Spathiphyllum, or sail plant, resemble tiny white flags or sails – hence the name. Originally a tropical plant, the peace lily tolerates indoor conditions well as long as it is not exposed to cold drafts. Although it can grow in low light, this Southeast Asian perennial rarely blooms without sunlight.
So, if the sail lily also serves a decorative function in addition to air purification, it is worth placing it near a window where it receives a sufficient amount of sunlight. The peace lily shows clearly when it is thirsty: its leaves droop, but quickly, even overnight, recover if it receives water.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera, which grows wild in many tropical climates around the world, is an excellent natural remedy for sunburn. The sticky, jelly-like substance found in the plant's leaves contains powerful antioxidant compounds that can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, making it suitable for use on even minor cuts and scrapes.
In addition to its many beneficial health properties, aloe vera can also lend an exciting tropical atmosphere to our home. Being a desert plant, it likes rare but abundant watering. Feel free to let its soil dry for a few weeks, then water it thoroughly. However, it is worth making sure that the water does not stand in the pot, as constant moisture will rot the roots. In summer, it can even be taken out to the terrace, where you can choose a sunnier place for it.
Mother tongue
This exotic succulent is originally native to West Africa, but has become popular in Europe thanks to its exciting, tropical foliage and forgiving nature.
According to NASA, Sansevieria trifasciata, also known as the indoor tiger leaf, is one of the best choices if you're looking for an air-purifying plant, as it absorbs many harmful substances found in the air, such as formaldehyde, nitric oxide, xylene, and trichloroethylene. You don't have to worry if you spend a lot of time away from home, as the mother-in-law's tongue can survive for weeks without water. However, it's worth making sure to plant it in a good quality soil specifically designed for cacti.
Amber
Ivy is a rather divisive plant, considered by many to be a pest, as it creeps into cracks and between loose bricks, damaging the walls of a house and allowing unwanted moisture to enter. Its Greek name, Hedera helix , hints at its winding nature, but if you grow it in a pot or hanging basket, it won't have the chance to wreak any havoc. Ivy's attractive white-and-green leaves not only add aesthetic appeal to your home, but they also filter formaldehyde and benzene from the air. Ivy also removes mold particles from the air, which can cause inflammation of the airways and other respiratory problems.
