Johann Hunt
Bad air quality can negatively impact the health of adults who spend more time at home. Fortunately, nature offers a simple solution. Indoor plants add to the greenery of your space and serve as natural air purifiers for the air you breathe. Take a look at these 15 plants that are perfect for the job.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace Lilies are gentle companions in any home. They are known for purifying indoor air and removing harmful pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. These plants thrive in low-light conditions, require minimal care, and need water only when the soil is dry, an ideal option for aging adults with less energy.
Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
Native to Madagascar, Dragon Trees are plants with long, slender leaves and a distinctive shape. They can grow quite tall but slowly and be pruned to maintain a desired size. Their air-purifying qualities and ease of care make them an excellent choice for boosting air quality in the homes of aging adults.
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
Aloe vera is a tender plant that needs little watering and grows in sunny locations. It is known for removing formaldehyde and benzene from the atmosphere. The plant’s low maintenance requirements and additional benefits make it an excellent choice for seniors. Its size makes it suitable for various living spaces.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston Ferns act as natural air humidifiers, which can be beneficial in dry indoor environments. These ferns prefer cool locations with high humidity and indirect light. While they require regular watering and humidity, they also extract formaldehyde and xylene from the air, which is valuable for seniors with respiratory sensitivities.
Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana)
Perfect for seniors looking for easy-to-care-for plants, Kentia Palms often require moderate watering and can adjust well to different indoor settings. With their air-purifying abilities, they not only enhance the atmosphere but also promote a healthier living space. They possess a knack for improving air quality while bringing a bit of nature indoors.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
As guardians of indoor air, Chinese Evergreens help remove benzene and formaldehyde. Resilient by nature, these plants tolerate poor light, dry air, and drought, making them incredibly easy to care for. Diverse leaf patterns and colors enhance any space’s visual appeal, and their low maintenance ensures they thrive comfortably in various conditions.
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Areca Palms extract xylene and toluene from the air, offering beneficial air-humidifying properties, particularly in dry indoor environments. These palms prefer bright indirect light and regular watering. They grow large but can be easily maintained at a manageable size with regular pruning. Their tropical appearance adds a vibrant touch to indoor spaces.
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
These colorful plants are particularly effective at filtering out formaldehyde, which is commonly found in many household products. Gerbera Daisies are also preferred for their ability to filter benzene and trichloroethylene indoors. While they may require more care than some other plants on this list, their vibrant blooms can add cheer to indoor spaces.
Flamingo Lily (Anthurium)
Flamingo Lilies, or Anthuriums, are normally kept indoors because they can remove toxins and pollutants from the air, ultimately creating a cleaner, healthier living space. Anthuriums also possess long-lasting flowers, which can add a pop of color to rooms. Their aesthetic appeal can make them worthwhile for seniors who enjoy gardening.
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
Weeping Figs are great at cleaning the air in homes, helping to remove harmful substances like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. They love bright, indirect light and need regular watering to thrive. While they can be a bit fussy about their environment, they become much easier to care for once they’re settled in.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
One of the air-purifying qualities of Spider plants is their ability to effectively remove formaldehyde and xylene from indoor spaces. These non-toxic plants also help humidify the air, benefiting seniors with respiratory issues. Additionally, their cascading foliage brings beauty to any room, ultimately enhancing the mood and overall well-being.
Dracaena (Dracaena spp.)
Their diverse forms—compact tabletop plants to larger floor specimens—allow for flexibility in placement and are suitable for various living spaces of aging adults. Most significantly, Dracaena plants are unique in their ability to erase traces of acetone. Many species within this genus offer variety in size and leaf pattern.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Also known as “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue,” Snake plants are beneficial at filtering out formaldehyde, commonly found in cleaning and personal care products. They also change carbon dioxide (CO₂) into oxygen at night. Snake plants are drought-resistant, and their upright growth pattern means they take up little floor space.
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Particularly good at removing pollutants like toluene and carbon monoxide, the English Ivy also filters out formaldehyde. Research indicates it can reduce indoor mold content, relieving seniors with respiratory issues or allergies. Thriving in moderate temperatures and medium sunlight, this plant can be grown in hanging baskets.
Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)
Devil’s Ivy, also known as Golden Pothos, helps remove harmful air pollutants from indoor air. The plant thrives in various light conditions and requires minimal care to tolerate occasional neglect. This makes it a good fit for seniors who may forget to water regularly.