Do Houseplants Really Clean the Air?

Wayne Taylor
Written By Wayne Taylor

Houseplants are a great way to add a natural touch to any room, but did you know they can also improve your air quality? Studies have shown that certain plants have the ability to filter out toxins and pollutants from the air, giving you a healthier and safer environment to live in. It’s important to choose the right type and number of plants for the size of your space, but the benefits are well worth the effort. Not only will you have cleaner air, but you’ll also have a beautiful reminder of nature in your home.

What are the Benefits?

Houseplants are a great addition to any home or office. Not only do they provide a splash of color in a space, but they also offer a number of health and environmental benefits. Studies show that houseplants can improve air quality by filtering out toxins and pollutants, as well as reducing levels of indoor pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

Studies have shown that houseplants can reduce stress, improve mood, and reduce symptoms of mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. When selecting houseplants, the size of the plant, the type of plant, and the number of plants are all important factors.

Some plants are better than others at filtering indoor pollutants, so it’s important to select a plant that is known to be effective at air purification. The size of the plant and the number of plants you choose to put in a room will determine how effective they are at improving air quality. The larger and more plants you have, the better the air quality will be.

What do the Studies Show?

Studies show that houseplants can be extremely beneficial in improving air quality and providing health benefits. They are able to filter out pollutants and toxins from the air, thus creating a cleaner, healthier environment. Studies also indicate that having plants in the home can reduce stress and improve mental health, as well as reduce the risk of allergies and asthma.

The type, size, and number of houseplants matters as well. Different plants can have different levels of effectiveness when it comes to air purification.

Smaller plants may not be able to filter as much air as larger plants, and having a variety of plants can increase the overall air-cleaning effect. The number of plants you have can make a difference, as more plants can filter more pollutants.

Studies on Health Benefits

Studies have shown that houseplants have the ability to improve air quality by filtering out toxins and pollutants, and potentially improve health outcomes. An interesting 2019 study was conducted by the University of Reading and found that, in a workplace environment, office workers who were near houseplants reported fewer health complaints.

This study concluded that houseplants can reduce the amount of airborne microbes and mold, and subsequently, create a healthier and cleaner environment for occupants. In addition to bolstering air quality, certain houseplants can also reduce levels of volatile organic compounds, which are found in furniture, carpets, and paint. A 2017 study from the University of Georgia found that the pot mums and peace lilies, were particularly effective in cleaning the air of VOCs. While all houseplants have some air-cleaning capabilities, these findings suggest that some are better suited to the task than others.

Studies on Pollution Reduction

If you want to reduce the amount of pollutants in your home, houseplants are a great way to go! Studies have shown that houseplants can help absorb and filter out toxins and pollutants from the air, reducing their presence in your home.

One study showed that adding just one houseplant to the corner of a room could result in a 60% reduction in benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene! When it comes to choosing the right plants, size definitely matters.

The bigger the plant, the more effective it will be. You should also pay close attention to the type of plant you choose; some are better at filtering air than others. For example, is known for its ability to reduce formaldehyde levels.

And last but not least, the more plants you have, the better. Consider adding a few plants in different corners of the room for maximum air-purifying benefits.

So if you’re looking for a way to improve the air quality of your home, houseplants are a great choice! Just make sure you pick the right ones and keep them well-cared for. With a little bit of effort, you can create a healthier home environment in no time.

What Factors Make a Difference?

When it comes to houseplants and their ability to clean the air, size, type, and number of plants all make a difference. Generally speaking, the bigger the better when it comes to the size of the houseplant, since larger plants have more leaves, which can more quickly and effectively filter out toxins and pollutants. As for the type of plant, hardy varieties like ferns, palms, and spider plants are among the more popular and effective air cleaners.

And lastly, the more plants you have, the better your air-cleaning results will be. The more houseplants you can fit in your home, the better!

If you’re looking to reap the benefits of houseplants, it’s important to do your research. You’ll want to make sure you’re selecting the right plants for your space and that you’re taking proper care of them to ensure they stay healthy.

Check out websites like The Sill, which offers a variety of helpful plant-related resources, from tips on how to care for your plants to advice on how to select the right one for your needs.

In addition to doing your research, it’s also important to remember that houseplants can take some time to show results. It can take a few months before you start to see the benefits, so be patient and keep trying different sizes, types, and numbers of plants. With the right combination, you’ll find that houseplants can do wonders for your air quality.

Size of the Plant

When it comes to houseplants and their ability to clean the air, size matters. Depending on the size of your home, you’ll need to consider the size of the plant you are buying. A large plant will help to clean more air in a bigger space than a smaller one, so it’s important to find the right balance between the size of the plant and the size of the room.

If you have a large home, you may want to look into buying a few large plants as opposed to many small ones.

If you’re living in a small space, a few smaller plants may be the better option. Another factor to consider when it comes to size is the amount of sunlight that your plants will receive.

If you have a lot of natural light in your home, then you can go bigger with your plants. If you don’t get much sunlight, you may want to opt for smaller plants that don’t need as much light. Whichever size you decide to go with, make sure you choose plants that are well suited to your home and lifestyle. That way, you can maximize their air-cleaning potential and enjoy the benefits of indoor plants.

Type of Plant

When it comes to choosing plants for air cleaning purposes, not all plants are created equal. While any houseplant will give your home a touch of nature, some plants are more effective than others at combating pollution. Look for plants that are known for their air-purifying capabilities, such as spider plants, peace lilies, and English ivy.

These plants have the ability to absorb pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide, so they can make a real difference in your home’s air quality. It’s important to buy the right size of houseplant.

For optimal air-purifying benefits, go for larger plants.

Small plants may not be able to absorb enough pollutants to make a difference. A good rule of thumb is to choose a pot size that is about one-third of the room’s total volume.

That way, the plants will be large enough to clean the air without taking up too much space in your home. When it comes to air-purifying plants, more is better. For a larger space, don’t just settle on one large plant – fill the room with multiple plants for the best air-cleaning effect.

Plants don’t just make your home look nice – they can also help make it a healthier place to live. So why not add a few to your house and enjoy the benefits?

Number of Plants

Having multiple houseplants is essential for improving air quality. The more plants in a given area, the better the air quality will be. This is because the plants act as natural filters for toxins and pollutants, and having more of them increases the amount of air that gets cleaned.

It is recommended to have at least one houseplant for every 100 square feet of a space. When selecting the number of plants for a given area, it is important to consider the size of the plants as well.

Large plants are able to filter larger amounts of air, so having fewer but larger plants may be a better choice than many small plants. It is also important to consider the type of plant when deciding how many plants to get.

Some plants are more effective than others at filtering the air, so it is best to research the types of plants that are most effective at air filtering before making any purchases.

To get the most benefit from houseplants, it is best to buy the right number of plants and the right types. Do some research and make sure to get a variety of sizes and types of plants to get the best air filtering results. With the right combination of houseplants, you can make sure that your home is filled with clean, fresh air.