Air-purifying plants that are great for your home, skin & beauty sleep

Originating from India, rubber plants, also known as ficus elastica, are the perfect indoor plants to keep if you do not have green thumbs. They are hardy plants with leather-like leaves and enjoy filtered light and can be grown in small pots or large pots – depending on how big you would like them to grow. It absorbs xylene, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene and purifies the air.

#ProTip: Place in a spot with bright indirect sunlight and water when the soil feels dry at the top Otherwise, keep calm and carry on.

If you are looking for an indoor plant that can grow quite large and act as interior decor while purifying the air, and have got the interior real estate to accommodate it, then the bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is your best bet. Because it can grow to be about three and a half metres tall, it is also a formaldehyde-filtering machine. Bonus? They are pet friendly.

#ProTip: Unlike some of the other plants in this list, the bamboo palm requires a lot of indirect sunlight. You should water it often and keep it away from dry air. Also, if your plant manages to bear fruit, be mindful when handling it as it contains a chemical substance that can irritate the skin.

Image: Instagram @greenplantsociety

The golden pothos, otherwise colloquially known as money plant, is incredibly easy to care for. It does not require direct sunlight and it is great at removing toxins such as xylene, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air. You can leave them to sit pretty anywhere in your home really, just bear in mind to keep out of your pet’s reach as it is toxic to animals when ingested. An unexpected benefit of keeping them in your home is the fact that they are natural spider mite repellents.

#ProTip: Another great starter plant, it’s near impossible to kill one of these guys – but they aren’t invincible. Best conditions include bright indirect light and regular watering when soil is dry-ish to the touch.

Image: Instagram @urbanjunglehouse

Here is another flowering plant that is great at filtering out toxins such as ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene in the air. Chrysanthemums also double as floral arrangements, which is perfect now that we are all working from home and on video calls all day.

#ProTip: Like most flowering plants, chrysanthemums are sun lovers that thrive under direct sun. However, to ensure it continues to bloom regularly, you might have to ‘cheat’ a little as shorter lengths of direct sunlight (to replicate autumn and the coming of winter) is needed to trigger its flowering response. Ensure that the soil is fully dry between each watering.

Image: Instagram @callablossom

Yes, your favorite gerbera daisies are also exceptionally great at removing airborne formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Similar to aloe vera plants, these daisies continue to release oxygen through the night, making it a great addition to your sleeping space. Increased oxygen levels in your bedroom help falling asleep a lot easier, especially for those dealing with sleep apnea or breathing disorders.

#ProTip: Not quite as hardy as chrysanthemums, these daisies thrive in direct morning or evening light but will need protection in the afternoon. Or, keep it in a spot that gets lots of bright indirect light throughout the day and water once the soil is dry.

Image: Instagram @mamijami123

Similar to ficus elastica, the red emerald philodendron has waxy leather-like leaves that are great at removing airborne formaldehyde. The plant is also incredibly low-maintenance and requires low light. The only caveat is that it is also considered a toxic plant, so keep out of reach from children and pets.

#ProTip: Plenty of bright indirect light and regular watering (once the topsoil is dry to the touch) is what will make this plant happy.

Image: Instagram @cultivaar

Also known as the mother-in-law tongue, the snake plant is an especially resilient indoor plant that filters formaldehyde, absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at night. It requires very little light and only needs to be watered occasionally. And since it grows vertically, it does not take up much space.

#ProTip: Much like the money plant, this plant is able to take quite a bit of abuse. Having said that, bright indirect light and a deep watering once every week or two is what this easy guy needs to thrive.

Image: Instagram @joyusgarden

Here is a sprightly green plant that has long leaves that are great at filtering out airborne formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds. They require warm and indirect sunlight, so anywhere that is partially shaded will do. Another thing to note is that its leaves are toxic to cats and dogs.

#ProTip: The stereotypical indoor plant you see gracing the lobby’s of office buildings, dracaenas offer maximum visual impact with minimal care. They’re also drought-resilient slow growers that won’t require frequent re-potting. Tolerant of a variety of light levels (they do still need some form of light), water when the soil is bone dry.

Image: Instagram @stayhomedays

The plant has always been prized for its healing properties. The gel inside the leaves is great for moisturising the skin, healing wounds and burns.

Aside from possessing healing properties, aloe vera also does wonders in improving the air quality by keeping your living space free from the benzene, an industrial solvent commonly found in paint and chemical cleaners.

Even if you don’t have green fingers, you can still grow and care for this low-maintenance houseplant.

Photo: 123rf

If you have chronic dry skin, you might want to give the beauty aisle a miss and head to the plants section instead. Boston fern is a popular plant that grows very well in humid environments with strong sunlight.

They serve as a humidifier by restoring moisture in the air. Additionally, the plant also gets rid of traces of formaldehyde, a strong-smelling chemical  that is used to produce objects like furniture made from manufactured wood.

Photo: 123rf

This beautiful flowering plant will not only spruce up any living space but also purify the air and reduce the levels of toxins in the air. Because it thrives in shade and cooler temperatures, this low-maintenance flower is the perfect plant to have around in your office.

Photo: 123rf

The perfect plant for gardening rookies, the plant is not only easy to care for but is also useful in removing toxins in the air that are found in chemical based cleaners. The Chinese evergreen is able to survive under low light conditions so it is a good option for those who are looking to decorate their rooms with plants.

Photo: The Straits Times

This plant has been said to be able to remove up to 90 percent of pollutants in the air. If you are allergic to dust, do consider placing a spider plant in your living space because the leaves of the spider plant have been known to absorb mold and other harmful allergens. It has also been proven to remove traces of formaldehyde and carbon monoxide.

Photo: 123rf

For those with furry pals at home, the English ivy plant is a godsend because it can help to reduce the amount of airborne fecal matter. If you have problems concentrating at work, studies have also shown that the plant helps to increase focus because it removes traces of benzene, a chemical that is commonly found in office supplies.

Photo: 123rf

While this toxic plant (when consumed) may not be the most ideal plant if you have little ones or pets at home, it is excellent in removing traces of formaldehyde. Plus, it is also relatively easy to care for.

Photo: 123rf

A version of this article first appeared in Harper’s Bazaar Singapore. 

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