Get rid of harmful toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from your home with these three stunning house plants that not only look great – but are easy to look after and maintain
Keep the dust at bay with these natural air purifiers that will spruce up your home.
House plants are a great way to improve an otherwise bland and boring interior. But it turns out they don’t just look pretty, and actually hold some pretty amazing benefits to your health thanks to their ability to suck dust and toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the air; all of which can have damage our health.
Even if you don’t have respiratory problems or allergies, getting rid of these harmful gases is still important. TikTok channel Root Growings, which has amassed a whopping 267,000 followers online, has revealed the top three houseplants you should pick up to purify your home.
Pgymy date palm
“This is a small palm with feathery fronts that can catch dust with their tiny hairs,” the video states. “It also absorbs some harmful gases like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.” These are often given off by building materials, synthetic fabrics, and some paints and varnishes, meaning the pygmy (Phoenix roebelenii) is ideal if you’ve just moved in and decorated.
These stunning plants thrive in bright, indirect light – but can handle a bit of shade if necessary. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight to avoid scorching the leaves, and water the soil when dry to the touch. In summer, it’s also worth misting the plant every now and then.
Rubber plant
This large plant (Ficus elastica) is distinctive by its glossy leaves, and it is this sheeny look that actually helps it attract dust and remove toxins like benzene from the home. “It needs bright light, watering when dry, monthly fertilising and pruning,” Root Growings added. While this indoor beauty is great for air purifying and reducing dust, it is toxic if ingested. So, if you have little ones or pets – you might want to place your rubber plant on a high shelve out of reach.
Spider plant
One of the most popular but effective houseplants when it comes to absorbing dust and moisture has to be the humble Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum). They’re relatively low-maintenance, can thrive in ‘various light conditions’ and only need watering occasionally. Many Brits pop their spider plant in the bathroom to help prevent condensation and mould. But Steve Chilton, a gardening ace over at LeisureBench, says the stunning bloom is also ‘excellent at removing dust and other airborne toxins, including formaldehyde, from the air’.
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