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What are the best plants for indoor air quality?

Houseplants can make a room look more cheerful and complement a range of decor styles. But did you know that they can also help improve your home’s indoor air quality? Believe it or not, some plants have actually been shown to help filter air and leave you with cleaner and purer air for your home. Keep reading to learn which plants in Palm Desert you may want to consider adding to your space.

Peace Lily

Peace lilies were identified by NASA as one of the most effective indoor plants to purify air. They are able to break down carbon monoxide, benzene, formaldehyde and other toxic gases. After breaking them down, the peace lily will neutralize these toxic substances, leaving your air cleaner and safer to breath. Peace lilies are gorgeous plants that could make a nice addition to any room in your home. They do best with indirect sunlight, so you won’t want to put them right in front of a window. If you see any yellow leaves on your peace lily, it’s a sign that the plant is getting too much sunlight and should be moved to a different area in the home. If you have pets in your home, you should choose a different plant since peace lilies are toxic to animals.

Bamboo Palm

Bamboo palms are tall floor plants that will also help remove toxins from the air, such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. Another benefit of having bamboo palms is that they add some moisture back into the air. This can be especially beneficial during the winter when the air is so dry. Bamboo palms are pretty easy to care for. You’ll just need to keep their soil moist, and place them in a space where they will get little to average amounts of sunlight. Bamboo palm is not toxic to animals, so it is a pet-friendly option as well.

Spider Plant

Spider plants are another good option to consider. They are quick growers and look nice in a hanging basket. One big benefit of spider plants is that you don’t have to have a green thumb to keep them alive. They are still able to thrive even when their owners forget about them at times. Spider plants can remove xylene and formaldehyde from the air. They are also non-toxic and safe in a home with pets or children. Spider plants need indirect sunlight and moist soil for ideal growth.

Golden Pothos

Also known as the money plant, hunters robe and devil’s ivy, golden pothos can help improve your home’s air quality. It is able to remove toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide from the air. Golden pothos is another great choice for inexperienced gardeners as it grows quickly and is difficult to accidentally kill. Golden pothos should be kept in a space with indirect sunlight and doesn’t need to be watered until the surface of the soil is dry again. Golden pothos is toxic to animals, so it is not an ideal choice for a home with pets.

English Ivy

English ivy can remove carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene and other toxins from your air. There are a few different varieties of English ivy available, but all of them could be an attractive addition to your space. Many people choose to plant English ivy in a hanging basket or place it on top of a bookshelf where it can grow down the sides of the shelf. English ivy grows quickly and is pretty easy to keep alive. It needs medium to bright indirect sunlight for optimal growth. English ivy can be toxic if eaten, so it is best to keep it away from children or pets.

Snake Plant

Snake plants can filter out formaldehyde and other toxins. Their leaves absorb the toxins, and they then release clean oxygen back into the space. Snake plants are very easy to keep alive and are often a popular choice for people who travel and are away from their home for long stretches of time. They do well with indirect sunlight and don’t need to be watered until the soil is dry again. If eaten, this plant is toxic, so you may want to choose a different option if you have young children or pets.

Looking for more ways to improve your home’s indoor air quality? Breeze Air Conditioning is here to help! Whether you’re looking for a whole-home air purifier, a new, more efficient HVAC system or you simply need a tune-up to keep your current system operating at peak levels, contact us today. We offer heating, cooling and indoor air quality services. We’ve been the trusted choice for Palm Desert and the surrounding area for 40 years.