Disclaimer: I talk to my plants, and they seem to love it.
Hey, plant enthusiasts! So, I’ve got a green thumb, but I don’t get to do much gardening with my full-time job and writing books. I took a bit of a sabbatical in between jobs recently and got to take care of my little balcony garden. There was another reason I hadn’t done a lot of plant care. I live in one of the most polluted cities in Pakistan: Lahore. Even though it’s running behind many of the world's metropolises, Lahore has been smog-city the past few days. I haven’t been venturing out too much.
I could tell my plants missed me. There are so many health benefits to taking care of plants. It can be terribly therapeutic. But I digress. So I moved my Devil’s Ivy indoors and was googling how to care for it indoors when I got sidetracked towards how Money Plant (Devil’s Ivy or Epipremnum aureum) cleans the air. I wondered what else I could add to my house to see if I could survive Lahore’s smog better. And I thought I’d share it with those of us who live in polluted cities.
Welcome to my green revolution. Let’s try to spice up our spaces with leafy companions that jazz up the joint and work their magic on the air and our sleep. So, grab your watering can, my readers, and let’s do some planting!
5 Air-Cleansing All-Stars for The House
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
First up, we have the Peace Lily, this gorgeous drama queen of air purification; not just a showstopper, but this little wonder filters nasty toxins from the air. A flowering plant from the Araceae is native to tropical regions. It’s not just a pretty face. It’s low maintenance and prevents mold mildew and toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, ethylene, and ammonia! No wonder it’s on NASA’s top 10 list of air-cleaning plants.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Meet the Peter Parker of the plant kingdom. (Sorry, I’m a nerd too.) Puns aside, this superhero doesn’t just fight off air pollutants; it's also a pro at producing oxygen. From the Asparagaceae (no joke!) family, it is incredibly sturdy and removes toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air. It looks gorgeous anywhere, on your desk or hanging before your window. It's a must-have, for sure.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
It might not be as beautiful as the Peace Lily, but this air-purifying beast makes up for its lack of aesthetics by being a champ at cleaning the air. A brother to the spider plant (From the Asparagaceae family), it has excellent medicinal uses and removes toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene. It’s hard to kill and can survive in places with low light. Great for beginners.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera isn’t just the skincare guru of the plant world. Not only does it have magical healing properties for your skin, but it's also an excellent addition for indoor air-purifying. A succulent from the aloe family, it originated from the Arabian Peninsula and can clear the air of common chemicals in household detergents, paint, and glue. So, think spa day for your home 24/7. Even better, it makes oxygen at night! What’s not to love?
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
The Rubber Plant is easy to grow, hard to kill and has health benefits. With beautiful, dark green, glossy leaves, this plan can be your air-purifying diva. From the Moraceae filters, formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, and VOCs (volatile organic gasses – some are thought to cause cancer), from the air—another NASA favorite.
5 Must-have Bedroom Buddies
Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender is the sleepy maestro. This plan doesn’t just smell dreamy; it has a soothing and calming effect. In your bedroom, it’s sure to chase away nasty smells and lower carbon dioxide levels in the air. Here’s another fantastic benefit from the mint family: this plant repels bugs such as mosquitos, fleas, moths, and ticks. A two-for-one. What’s not to love?
Golden Cane Palm (Areca)
This palm is for the Arecaceae family and originates from humid tropical forests. Not only is this a gorgeous plant, but it also improves indoor humidity, something those of us who live in smoggy areas and suffer from congestion really need. It’s easy to care for and helps purify the air by breaking down toxins like benzene and formaldehyde. Surrounding yourself with this plant is also great positive energy, as per Feng Shui.
Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
This plant is more than just getting lucky. From the Asparagales family, this Central African plant is more than positive Feng Shui. Adding it to your bedroom will remove toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air while adding some severe esthetics. Interestingly, the scientific name dracaena means ‘female dragon’ in Greek. I don’t know about you, but my girly nerd gets off on those vibes.
Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Most green households have this gorgeous ivy somewhere. In a pot, in a vase. It’s sturdy, beautiful with its heart-shaped leaves, and incredibly powerful at purifying the air. From the Araceae family, it originated from French Polynesia. Not only is it pretty, but it removes air pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene. We also call it a money plant because it’s thought to promote luck and prosperity. Combine it with the Lucky Bamboo, and you can’t lose!
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata
Thriving in humid environments, they are best for humidifying bedrooms at night. It requires regular watering and can get pretty big if you allow it room. From the Nephrolepidaceae family, this fern is a beautiful splash of sprouting green. It is evergreen and helps eliminate toxins like formaldehyde, plastic off-gassing, and cigarette smoke.
I haven’t achieved my plant-filled haven but hope to get there slowly. I hope my research has also been helpful so that we can all get a breath of fresh air right in our homes. These green powerhouses won’t just be décor; they could be essential household members, making the air cleaner and sleep better.
Wana join me in the green vibes? Let’s make the world a little greener, one potted friend at a time! If you manage to take my advice, send me pictures or drop me a note. Let’s motivate each other to breathe easier. I’m thinking of it like a green revolution.
So, grab your watering can, my readers, and let’s do some planting!
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