If you read our previous article on the five sources of indoor air pollution, you know that without the proper precautions your family could be breathing in harmful pollutants. They can be coming from your carpet loaded dander or your gas stove letting off carbon monoxide. Either way, these pollutants can be dangerous to those who constantly are breathing them in.

There are many ways you can purify the air circulating through your home and our specialists at Tower are here to help if you are looking for a permanent solution – click here to read our last article on these products. But if you are looking for a way to start out small, incorporating indoor plants around your home could be the solution for you. While houseplants may not seem like they do a lot, they are actually silent fighters that keep your home healthy.

According to NASA’s clean air study, houseplants can absorb harmful toxins from the air especially in enclosed areas with little air flow. They recommend two or three plants in 8-10 inch pots for every 100 square feet and your family will benefit the most when you include a variety of plants in a room as each plant removes different chemicals.

Not sure what plants would be best for your home? Here are Nasa’s top ten picks for air purifying plants!

1. Chrysanthemums – Also known as mum’s, these plants are ranked the highest for air purification as they are the most efficient at removing all common toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and ammonia. With simple care (just keeping the soil moist) these flowers keep your air fresh as long as they are bloomed (about six weeks). Although they are pretty, keep in mind mum’s can be toxic to both cats and dogs.
2. Golden Pothos – Considered one of the most effective indoor air purifiers along with mum’s, Golden Pothos can remove formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, benzene, carbon monoxide, and more from the air in your home. While this plant is very easy to care for (water when soil is dry) it is best to keep it out of reach for cats and dogs as it can cause negative reactions if consumed.
3. Peace Lilies – This beautiful blooming plant is number three on NASA’s list for removing common household toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, ammonia, and more. They are not recommended for households with children, cats, and dogs as they can be toxic. With enough sun and keeping the soil slightly moist this plant could be the right on for you.
4. Spider Plant – Also known as air plants, grow quickly and require little maintenance. They eliminate formaldehyde and xylene from the air in your home and this plant is pet-friendly. So if you are looking for an easy to manage plant this one might be the choice for you.
5. Dracaenas – This plant is perfect for people who are forgetful as it needs little water, in fact to much water will be harmful to it. Dracaenas eliminate chemicals such as formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, benzene and trichloroethylene from the air inside your home. Although if you have pets this may not be the choice for you as it can cause cats and dogs to vomit, salivate, and dilate their pupils if ingested.
6. Areca Palms – Although they thrive better outdoors, if this plant is placed in a sunny spot and fed a lot of water it will do just fine indoors. This plant is non-toxic making it a good fit for pet owners and it eliminates many chemicals such as benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and more.
7. Bamboo Palms – While Bamboo is pretty, this toxin eliminating plant can be quite particular on the way it must be cared for making it hard to keep alive. Keep the soil moist and place bamboo palms where air circulates freely while misting occasionally to prevent spider mites. If you have a green thumb this might be the choice for ou as they are pet safe and they eliminate formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, xylene, chloroform, and more from the air.
8. English Ivy –  Known mostly for thriving outside, English Ivy can be brought into your home to eliminate benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and more from the air. While easy to take care of, it can be toxic to animals and humans.
9. Rubber Plants – With roots growing upward around the plant’s trunk rubber plants can be a statement piece for your home while also being functional. Removing carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and more from your air in your home these plants are beautiful. Although these plants are toxic to cats and dogs so they may not be the right fit for everyone.
10.  Chinese Evergreen – Although they are not the easiest air filtering plant to keep they are very effective, cleaning out chemicals such as benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and more.  Chinese evergreens are toxic to dogs and require moderate watering and high humidity making them not the perfect fit for all but they are still very efficient.

For more information on how you can purify the air in your home contact Tower Equipment Company today at: