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Did you know that NASA commissioned a two-year study regarding how to clean the air in space stations with house plants?

NASA discovered that some house plants not only absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, but they also eliminate significant amounts of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and other chemicals from the air. We’ll talk about which indoor plants to consider for purifying the home, a little about the chemicals they remove and the importance of good ventilation overall with fresh air and filters.

Chemicals These House Plants Remove From Air

NASA spent two years testing house plants for formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene removal properties. Another indoor plant study by Dr. B.C. Wolverton researched ammonia, xylene and toulene so we’ll mention both.

Formaldehyde

Unfortunately, formaldehyde (in small amounts) is everywhere in the home from building materials to household products. A short list of where it can be found includes insulation, glues and adhesives, pressed wood products like particleboard (a material used in a lot of furniture, decorative plywood paneling, wrinkle removers, gas stoves and fire retardants. On the extreme, formaldehyde is thought to cause cancer while moderate exposure leads to allergic reactions. Either way, it’s not ideal to have around.

Benzene

Human exposure to benzene occurs through inhalation, with cigarette smoke as a major offender as well as exposure to benzene-containing petroleum products. For example, WHO says that homes with attached garages have higher levels of benzene than those with detached garages. Other sources of benzene include smog (especially near industrial areas), building materials like paint and glues, paint stripper, detergents, rubber and inks. Benzene is an irritant and a well-known cause of cancer in cases of chronic exposure. There’s a long list of other health problems associated with benzene.

Trichloroethylene

Trichloroethylene is an organic compound primarily found in building materials and industrial solvents that are used to remove grease. Unfortunately, it’s also found in water. Sources of trichloroethylene include rug cleaners, spot removal fluids, typewriter correction fluid, adhesives and paint remover. Trichloroethylene damages the central nervous system causing fatigue, blurred vision as well as cancer and birth defects in cases of chronic exposure.

Xylene And Toulene

Exposure to xylene and toulene happens through inhalation, swallowing or touching these compounds. Sources include fingernail polish, glues and adhesives, lacquer, paints, paint thinners, wood stains, rubber and plastic cements. Xylene and toulene are irritants that affect the nervous system, gastrointestinal system, kidneys and more.

Ammonia

We all probably know what ammonia smells like due to ammonia-based cleaners. Sources of ammonia include household cleaners, animal feces, fertilizers, wood fires and fuels. Low levels of ammonia in the home aren’t problematic but increased exposure leads to nausea and headaches. People with allergies and asthma are particularly sensitive to ammonia in the air.

10 Plants That Help Clean Air

So, now let’s talk about plants that help clean these nasty chemicals out of the air. Interestingly enough, a lot of these plants might be toxic to cats and dogs (or even kids) if eaten, so do some research if you think there’s a risk.

1. Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue (really, could they have thought of a better nickname?) is a very popular house plant that can be used outdoors in areas without direct sunlight. It’s native to to West Africa and, with it’s upright leaves, has a lot of architectural interest making it a popular choice for contemporary homes. Snake plant is a very effective indoor air cleaner against formaldehyde,  benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene and toulene.

2. Peace lily (spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’)

Peace lily helps clean the air of all the offending chemicals listed above. In addition, it helps get rid of acetone, a chemical released by electronics and certain cleaners. Peace lilies require shade and frequent watering. Keep dust of the leaves as well.

3. Boston fern (nephrolepis exaltata bostoniensis)

Indirect light and moderate, Southern California warmth keep Boston ferns happy. They’re easy to find, inexpensive and can take some neglect. Boston ferns are some of the best  filterers of formaldehyde, though they also clean small amounts of xylene and toulene.

4. Gerbera Daisy or Barberton daisy (gerbera jamesonii)

Three cheers for color! Gorgeous Gerbera daisies not only cheer up your home, but do it some good too. Gerbera daisies are rare plants in that they also release oxygen during the night, so keep them in the bedroom for restful sleep. They need sun and water as soon as the dirt in the pot dries out. Gerbera daisies rid the air of benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.

5. Red-edged dracaena (dracaena marginata)

I bought my first red-edged dracaena at Home Depot for about $2. The leaves had a red edge that can add a pop of color to an indoor arrangement. However, these can grow very tall so remember that as you decide to increase pot size. Red-edged dracaena filters formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene and toulene.

6. Pot mum (chrysanthemum morifolium)

Chrysanthemums like sun and water as soon as the soil is dry an inch or so from the top. Inexpensive to buy at even grocery stores, this chrysanthemum not only has excellent feng shui properties, but it cleans all chemicals listed above from the air, especially benzene.

7. Aloe

Though not a part of the NASA study, aloe is extremely good at filtering our formaldehyde. It loves sun so is the perfect plant to keep near a kitchen window. Break off a leaf to heal accidental burns and wounds as well–it’s dual purpose!

8. Lady palm (rhapis excelsa)

These gorgeous palm trees with their finger-like leaves do well inside the house without direct exposure to sunlight. Be careful not to soak the roots. Lady palms remove formaldehyde, xylene and toulene, but is an extremely efficient ammonia cleaner.

9. Golden pothos (epipremnum aureum)

Golden pothos is a fast-growing vine that looks great in hanging pots or wherever it has the ability to cascade or climb. Consider placing golden pothos near the garage as it has an acute ability to clean benzene out of the air as well as carbon monoxide. Formaldehyde,  trichloroethylene, xylene and toulene are other chemicals the plant targets.

10. Philodendrons (philodendron oxycardium, philodendron bipinnatifidum, philodendron domesticum)

Philodrendrons are known specifically for removing formaldehyde from the air. With big, decorative leaves, they make for stunning container gardens indoors and out.

NASA recommends that you use 15-18 house plants (that live in 6-8 inch containers) in an 1800 square-foot home.

The Importance Of Good Ventilation

Though filling your home with gorgeous house plants helps the family breathe well, letting in fresh air and re-circulating it in a healthy manner is also extremely important.

Plants On Walls Vertical Garden & Living Wall Gallery
Vertical garden designer Chris Bribach creates luxurious living walls for his clients using Florafelt vertical garden planters.



San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers

A dazzling array of exotic tropicals cover a wall at the entrance to San Francisco's Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. Guadalupe Cota, Senior Nursery Specialist, selects and places each plant as they become available, and the Florafelt Vertical Garden system gives her the flexibility to slowly build the perfect garden. After 6 months, nearly 2/3rds of the pockets have been filled, and the plants have shown significant growth . The planters are hung from steel struts by s-hooks and are watered and fed by a digital hose timer and pressure feeder. The Florafelt Vertical Garden Planters were donated to this San Francisco institution by Chris Bribach of Plants On Walls. it is located in the front entrance, and offers visitors a welcome bursting with color and intrigue.




CBRE Towers, 100 Pine Street, Downtown San Francisco

After 6 months, the vertical garden at 100 Pine Street in Downtown San Francisco has developed rich colors and textured depth. The blue star ferns have emerged, while the bird nest, mother, and leather ferns push to the front of the ficus decora, giving 3-dimensional structure to the composition. Designed by Chris Bribach of Plants On Walls for CBRE office towers.




Beverly Hills Vertical Garden

Chris Bribach worked closely with the client's designer to make this huge vertical garden ease the transition from a gleaming and minimalist Beverly Hills interior to a dramatic garden and pool area, sculpted with geometric foliage and trimmed with fountains of water and fire. This living wall covers the entire south end of a stunning loggia, facing a carved waterfall fountain. The living wall needed to maintain the sense of order while bringing a touch of untamed wildlife, a hint of jungle. The architect used dramatic up-lighting to highlight floating orchids amidst a tangle of tropical flora, all vividly displayed against the black frame and felt that recede from view. Waves of bright-light loving plants flow naturally, with Chinese evergreen and near-black ficus exploding from the base and flowing into the red undersides of calathea, perfectly paired with the fiery bromeliads. Ferns drop from the ceiling above floating orchids and the occasional spray of lipstick vine.




San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2012

Davis Dalbok of Living Green asked Chris Bribach to install Floraflet Vertical Garden Planters beside the main entry of San Francisco's prestigious annual Decorator Showcase. 504 pockets allow visitors to transition from a welcome of vivid, light-loving succulents to the comfort of shady ferns in the portico. The living wall was a temporary display and pipe clamps were used to attach to the existing historic structure, leaving no marks behind. Drip trays at the base drained to existing pipes, leaving the walkway dry.




Los Altos Hills Private Residence

PlantsOnWalls created a fern paradise for this private residence in California's Los Altos Hills. Two massive Floraframe Living Wall Kits were mounted to the existing masonry walls to create a lavish indoor garden of 504 ferns. The remaining landscape was planted by San Francisco's Living Green Landscape Design. This open atrium has bright indirect light, the perfect environment for ferns.




Fork Cafe, San Francisco

Chris Bribach, designer for PlantsOnWalls, created a wall of philodendrons for Fork Cafe on Castro Street in San Francisco. The towering jungle created an instantly distinctive environment for the newly opened restaurant, where customers dine with indoor comfort and outdoor style. Visit Fork Cafe at 469 Castro Street near Market.




Urban Bistro, Burlingame, California

Visit Urban Bistro in Burlingame, California to view their luscious living fern wall designed and installed by PlantsOnWalls. Like other restaurants that incorporate living walls into their design, customers often prefer the comfort of dining indoors with so much nature nearby. Urban Bistro, 270 Lorton Ave, Burlingame, CA 94010




Population Hair Salon

Population Hair Salon in San Francisco welcomes customers with a living, growing work of art that has become a focus for the business and a conversation piece for everyone who visits. A small copper pipe funnels water to an outside drain. Visit Population Hair Salon at 537 Divisadero Street in San Francisco NOPA district.




Fern Garden for a San Francisco Home






Tropical Jungle for a San Francisco Live/Work Space

This San Francisco resident wanted new life inside her industrial design home. The living walls have brought an exciting new feel to her live/work space. After two months, the custom installation by PlantsOnWalls shows vigorous new growth. The two living walls are home to 492 tropical plants that conjures images of the jungle.

reprinted from: http://www.plantsonwalls.com