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As we welcome the festive season of Diwali, our attention turns to the quest for the finest air cleaning houseplants. The entire nation is abuzz with celebrations and happiness during this time. Diwali heralds a change in the weather, signaling the transition from autumn to winter. There’s a gentle crispness in the air, accompanied by the delightful fragrance of winter blooms, such as the night jasmine, also known as “Shiuli” in India. It’s a truly enchanting season!
We are sure – all of you would agree to this! But the flipside to this season is the ritual of burning crackers which some people follow, the wood-burning fires, and fires on agricultural land in northern parts of India. Apart from this the air quality also gets poor due to dust from construction sites. And not to forget the constant menace of pollution caused by transport vehicles!
In such a situation, both adults and even little ones as young as a few months old are grappling with common colds, stuffy noses, and occasionally persistent headaches. While these are among the milder health concerns faced by city dwellers, a team of physicians has identified more severe, potentially life-threatening ailments as well. Thankfully, there are several remedies to tackle and manage this issue right in the comfort of your home. One of the effective solutions is to introduce air-cleaning houseplants to your living space!
Not only are these air-cleaning houseplants budget-friendly and simple to care for, but they also play a significant role in purifying the air within your home. As we’re aware, plants excel at enhancing air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing precious oxygen.
List of 10 air-purifying plants that work like magic in this polluted environment:
1. Spider Plant
If you have just started with indoor plants, then look no further. The spider plant is one of the easiest plants to grow and requires zero to minimum care. All they need is indirect sunlight and they are good to thrive.
2. Snake Plant
If there is one plant that you can just pot and forget – it’s Snake Plant. They can literally do away without any care. The propagation of this plant is also very easy as compared to others. The snake plant is one of the few plants which continues to release oxygen even at night. Thus, making it the perfect bedroom plant.
3. Peace Lily
Another plant that is quite easy to grow indoors is the Peace Lily. Unlike most plants that do not require direct sunlight. They can also be propagated in water if soiled potted plants are something you are not interested in. They remove toxins such as carbon monoxide from the surrounding air.
4. Areca palm
Forever itching for that beautiful green corner in your living room? Then your answer lies in Areca Palm. Areca Palm is a beautiful plant that can be placed in your dining room. They usually grow up to bigger heights but can be purchased as small potted plants too. It is also popularly known as the most “Efficient Air Humidifier “plant!
5. Syngonium
Another plant that is great for air cleansing and has a place of permanence in the Feng Shui theory is -Syngonium. The leaf has five lobes, which categorically represent the ‘Five Elements of Nature’. Along with reducing the pollution content, they can also reduce volatile components present in the air such as benzene, xylene, and formaldehyde.
6. Golden Pothos/Devil’s Ivy
Considered one of the best household plants, the golden pothos, or Devil’s Ivy as it is popularly known helps reduce air toxins. It can survive in low light and cooler temperatures, thus making it suitable to be kept completely indoors.
7. Boston Fern
Widely known as one of the most ‘Easy -to-keep-alive ‘plants the Boston fern is also classified as one of the best plants which act as an air purifier! These plants prefer high humidity and low sunlight.
8. Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema or Chinese Evergreen as it is popularly known is one of the best air purifying plants which can remove benzene and formaldehyde from the indoor air. These plants can tolerate average to high humidity.
9. Poinsettia
Popularly known as the best Christmas plant owing to its red flowers, the poinsettia can also serve as a great indoor plant. These plants do not require a lot of water but do need good warmth and light.
10. Elephant Ear Philodendron
This beautiful plant survives in low and even artificial sunlight. They have great efficiency when it comes to removing formaldehyde content in the air.
Our list of air-purifying plants is in sync with that recommended by Huffington Post!
by Udita Saklani
