The best house plants to purify the air in your new build home
27 July 2022House plants can help bring a brand-new home to life. Luscious green foliage, delicate vines and floral aromas can elevate interiors and are excellent at bringing the outdoors in.
They don’t just look great though. Studies have proven that house plants have health benefits too. From mood boosting to combatting fatigue, easing dry skin to lowering stress and anxiety, house plants work hard to ensure your new home remains a comforting sanctuary.
Perhaps one of the most well-known facts is that houseplants can purify the air. Many absorb toxic substances such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. In addition, a study conducted at Virginia Tech led researchers to conclude that houseplants can reduce indoor dust by up to 20% (source: Swansons Nursery).
So, which houseplants purify the air? We round-up some of the best in this month’s blog.
1) Spider Plant
The Spider Plant is our favourite air purifying house plant as not only does it do an excellent job of cleansing the air in which we live and breathe in, it is super easy to propagate too.
The long green leaves remove formaldehyde from the air and add texture to any indoor space. They are pretty indestructible too. Just make sure you give it plenty of water and keep it away from direct sunlight.
Once your Spider Plant starts to sprout spiderettes, snip these off and pot their roots in well-draining potting soil in a pot with drainage holes. By following this method, you can have a spider plant in each room of your new build home.
2) Aloe Vera
With its gel commonly found in cosmetic and health products, the Aloe Vera plant makes a wonderful addition to any home.
We would recommend placing Aloe Vera in the kitchen to remove formaldehyde from the air which can be found in washing up liquids and detergents. It will thrive in a warm, bright spot and does not need watering often. We’d suggest watering your Aloe Vera plant about every three weeks and even more sparingly during the winter. Never let your plant sit in water and make sure the soil is dry at least one to two inches deep before you water it again.
As a bonus, Aloe Vera is good for the skin. You can harvest Aloe Vera gel from your plant to treat sunburn, bug bites and minor wounds. Click here to find out how.
3) Peace Lily
If you’re looking for something more floral, consider the beautiful Peace Lily. The NASA Clean Air Study found that this little beauty was one of the best plants at purifying air because it can break down toxic gases such as benzene, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide.
Its white blooms ooze tranquillity, perfect if you are trying to create a relaxing space. It’s relatively easy to care for too as the leaves will droop when it needs watering, and it thrives in low, indirect sunlight so you can use these plants to brighten up a dark room.
Just be careful if you own pets as the peace lily is toxic to animals.
4) Dwarf Date Palm
This plant would suit those who are looking to fill a corner of the room with leafy decoration. The Dwarf Date Palm sits happily in a pot on the floor and is one of the best house plants for purifying air. It’s especially nifty at removing xylene from its surrounding environment.
Like most palms, this plant adds tropical fusion to any room and can remind you of fond holiday memories abroad. Finding the perfect spot in your home is key to allowing these plants to thrive.
Place your Dwarf Date Palm in a corner where it will receive some bright light but also some shade. They don’t like bright, direct sunlight all the time, but equally, don’t keep them in the dark. Water the plant frequently in the spring and summer when the top of the soil becomes dry quickly.
5) Barberton Daisy
Last but certainly not least is the Barberton Daisy. This charming plant will bring cheer and joy to any room with its beautiful red blooms. Red is the most popular choice although it grows in many colours and is surrounded by luscious green leaves. It can flower at any time of year and the blooms last between four and six weeks.
Rated as one of the top plants for purifying air in NASA’s Clean Air Study, the Barberton Daisy is effective at removing chemical vapours such as benzene from the atmosphere. Introduce this house plant into your new build home and enjoy not only cleaner air, but brighter colours in your living space too.
We hope you enjoyed finding out more about which house plants purify air. Plants can bring so much life to your new build home so get down to your local garden centre and start creating your indoor jungle.
Currently house hunting? Check out the new build homes we currently have available at Longston Cross, Bovey Tracey; Applegate Park, Kingsbridge; Tarka View, Crediton and Gwallon Keas, St. Austell.