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Let Plants Clear the Air!
by Fred Davis, MG, Hill Gardens of Maine (To view other articles, click: Archives)

Welcome through Fred's Garden Gate! Many more parts of the world seem to be experiencing inordinately cold winters this year. With frigid, arctic air plunging well into the Deep South – even snow in otherwise warm and arid zones such as the Near East – more and more homes are tightly sealed and, therefore, ideal collecting points for some common and powerful indoor toxins.

Last time we discussed a few houseplants and their care in the winter home. This time let’s expand on that theme by listing some specific indoor decoratives having the ability to absorb and either neutralize or convert noxious household airborne pollutants to harmless substances. First, it will help to understand that, according to NASA researcher, Dr. B.C. Wolverton, only two mature potted plants per 100-sq. ft. of floor space will help clean and refresh the air. We’ll limit the discussion to the three most common indoor pollutants: benzene, formaldehyde and trichlorethylene (source: Today’s Homeowner magazine).

Benzene is a common pollutant arising from many detergents, gasoline, oils, plastics, tobacco smoke, printing inks and synthetic fibers. Plants which have proven effective in neutralizing or absorbing these dangerous airborne substances are English ivy, dracaena (grass-like houseplant sometimes called "Dragon Tree" and commonly utilized as tall accents in planters and interior landscapes in malls and professional offices), chrysanthemum and the colorful gerbera ("transvaal") daisy.

Formaldehyde, a time-honored embalming fluid still in use today, is also found in carpeting, some clothing, furniture, foam insulation ("urea-formaldehyde" once widely recommended as a residential insulation), household cleaners, paper goods, particleboard, plywood and many substances applied as water-repellants. A number of attractive houseplants have the ability to absorb and neutralize formaldehyde: azalea, palms, chrysanthemum, diffenbachia (also called "dumbcane" because, if ingested, it can cause swelling and constriction of the larynx), golden pothos (often wrongly referred to as "variegated philodendron"), mother-in-law’s tongue (sansevieria), philodendron, poinsettia and spider plant (chlorophytum or "ribbon plant").

Trichlorethylene is a potent, usually odoriferous – and potentially very dangerous – pollutant arising from such substances as adhesives (such as used to attach linoleum, paneling, and in many craft projects), dry-cleaning fluids (even clothing which has been recently dry-cleaned), lacquers, paints and varnishes. Containers of these materials carry the stern warning: Use only in well-ventilated spaces! Even after recognizable odors have "disappeared", these chemicals may endure for long periods of time in the closed-up home, office or manufacturing space.

Plants which help to neutralize these dangerous substances are chrysanthemums, gerbera (transvaal) daisy, peace lily ("Sail Plant" or spathiphyllum), and dracaena.

While the list of plants able to at least partially clean the air may seem brief, most healthy, mature, indoor plants have the ability to absorb some amount of pollutants from the air. But they should not be relied on as the exclusive home air purifier. Like us humans (and our indoor domesticated pets) plants need ventilation, too. It’s always wise to provide for some fresh air exchange – ventilation – in the home.

So go ahead and bring in a few houseplants. They’re good company and generally need little care beyond water, occasional feeding and removing withered leaves and spent flowers. Besides, they add to the warmth and charm of a home while cleaning the air – thereby making our dwellings healthier and more pleasant to occupy.

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