In 1989, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) partnered with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) to conduct a Clean Air Study. Led by Dr. B. C. Wolverton, the study provided a comprehensive list of plants that are highly effective at purifying indoor air. The research demonstrated that plants have the ability to filter pollutants such as benzene, ammonia, and formaldehyde, which helps mitigate the effects of Sick Building Syndrome. Certain tropical houseplants were found to be particularly efficient in removing formaldehyde, trichloroethane, benzene, and other harmful substances from the air, replacing them with oxygen. According to the report, it is recommended to have at least one plant for every hundred square feet of indoor space, be it at home or in the office.

Designer: Ugly Duckling ID

Common Indoor Pollutants

Trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, ammonia, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and suspended particulate matter (SPM) are harmful substances found in various products and environments.

• Trichloroethylene, present in inks and pa2ints, can lead to symptoms such as dizziness and coma.
• Benzene, used in plastics and tobacco smoke, may result in drowsiness and unconsciousness.
• Formaldehyde, commonly found in paper products and fabrics, can cause irritation and swelling in the respiratory system.
• Ammonia, found in cleaning products, can cause eye irritation and sore throat.
• Xylene, present in rubber and vehicle exhaust, can lead to liver and kidney damage.
• NO2 and SO2, emitted by vehicles and factories, can harm the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
• SPM, small particles in the air, can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract and contribute to long-term health issues like asthma and cardiovascular problems.

Top 12 Air-Purifying Plants

1. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

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The Areca palm, native to Madagascar, is a popular foliage houseplant known for its ability to purify the air by removing formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. As a houseplant, it thrives indoors and can tolerate both shade and bright light. It requires less frequent watering and prefers temperatures ranging from 15 to 35 degrees Celsius and it adds beauty and charm to any indoor space.

2. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

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Sansevieria, commonly known as Mother-in-law’s tongue or Snake plant, is an incredibly resilient indoor plant that thrives even in low light conditions. It is a perfect choice for those seeking a low-maintenance plant as it requires infrequent watering. Moreover, Sansevieria has been recognized as one of the most effective air-purifying plants, capable of eliminating benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene from the surrounding air. It can adapt to various temperature ranges, from 5 to 45 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for different climates.

3. Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum)

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The money plant, belonging to the Araceae plant family, is a popular houseplant found in French Polynesia. It is highly adaptable and can thrive in various indoor environments. It has the ability to effectively purify the air by removing benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene. As a houseplant, its growing habits and characteristics are as follows: it prefers indoor locations, tolerates shade and artificial light, requires less frequent watering, and can withstand temperatures ranging from 15 to 45 degrees Celsius.

4. English ivy (Hedera helix)

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English Ivy, a flowering plant from the Araliaceous family, is a highly popular vine plant in Europe. It is native to most of Europe and Western Asia. Notably, English Ivy has been identified as one of the most efficient plants in removing benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene from the air. As a houseplant, its growing habits and characteristics include indoor location preference, tolerance to shade and artificial light, less frequent watering requirements, and a temperature range of 5 to 30 degrees Celsius.

5. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

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The peace lily, belonging to the Araceae plant family, is a well-known indoor plant. It has been identified as one of the most efficient plants in eliminating benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, ammonia, xylene, toluene, and other pollutants from the air. As a houseplant, it thrives indoors and can tolerate both shade and artificial light. It requires less frequent watering and prefers temperatures ranging from 16 to 32 degrees Celsius.

6. Barberton Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

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Gerbera, a genus of flowering plants in the Asteraceae family, is renowned for its vibrant and lustrous flowers. It is a popular choice due to its ability to withstand adverse weather conditions and thrive in bright light. Notably, Gerbera is effective in purifying the air by eliminating benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. As a houseplant, it flourishes indoors, tolerating both shade and bright light. It requires less frequent watering and prefers temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius.

7. Chinese Evergreens (Aglaonema Modestum)

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Aglaonema, a member of the Araceae family, is a popular indoor plant originating from tropical and subtropical regions of South Asia. With over 100 popular varieties, it is both visually appealing and low-maintenance. Notably, Aglaonema is known for its ability to cleanse the air by removing benzene and formaldehyde. As a houseplant, it thrives in indoor locations, tolerates shade and artificial light, requires less frequent watering, and prefers temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius.

8. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

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Chlorophytum comosum, a member of the Asparagaceae plant family, originates from southern Africa. This popular houseplant, known as the spider plant, is not only elegant and fast-growing but also easy to care for. A report by the university’s Cooperative Extension Service highlighted the spider plant as one of the top varieties for effectively removing VOCs. It has been found to cleanse the air by eliminating formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. As a houseplant, the spider plant thrives indoors, tolerating shade and artificial light, requiring less frequent watering, and favoring temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius.

9. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis mill)

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Aloe vera, a succulent plant belonging to the Asphodelaceae family, is a remarkable plant known for its numerous benefits and medicinal uses since ancient times. It can withstand adverse weather conditions and thrives in bright light, making it suitable for deserts. Aloe vera is also effective in purifying the air by eliminating benzene and formaldehyde. As a houseplant, it prefers indoor locations, tolerates both shade and bright light, requires less frequent watering, and can thrive in temperatures ranging from 15 to 45 degrees Celsius.

10. Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)

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The Rubber Plant, classified under the genus Ficus in the Moraceae plant family, is native to South Asia. This houseplant has been discovered to effectively eliminate formaldehyde from the air. As a houseplant, it thrives indoors, tolerating both shade and artificial light. It requires less frequent watering and prefers temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius.

11. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

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The Boston fern, belonging to the Nephrolepidaceae family and the Nephrolepis genus, is native to humid forests and swamps. It is known for its ability to effectively eliminate formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, airborne germs, molds, and bacteria from indoor air. As a houseplant, it thrives in indoor locations, tolerating both shade and artificial light. It requires frequent watering and prefers temperatures ranging from 15 to 35 degrees Celsius.

12. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizi)

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The Bamboo palm, part of the Chamaedorea genus in the Aceraceae plant family, is one of the 107 species within its genus. This plant thrives in shady and humid conditions, often found growing under trees in rainforests. It is known for its ability to effectively remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene from the air. As a houseplant, it prefers indoor locations and can tolerate shade and artificial light. It requires frequent watering and thrives in temperatures ranging from 10 to 35 degrees Celsius.

The post Breathing Fresh: NASA’s Top 12 Air-Purifying Plants for Cleaner Indoor Spaces first appeared on Yanko Design.

Introducing a touch of nature into your home not only enhances its beauty but also elevates the atmosphere with positivity. If you’re in search of attractive and low-maintenance plants, then nothing beats the beauty of indoor succulents. These delightful additions not only bring visual appeal but also contribute to a serene and inviting ambiance.

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What are Succulents?

Succulents, known for storing water in their leaves, often have thick foliage, though the thickness varies among species. They thrive in dry climates and dislike high humidity. Proper watering is key for growth and flowering, as they can withstand drought by using stored water and nutrients but may rot if overwatered. Most prefer warmth and can’t survive freezing temperatures, which can lead to damage or decay. While some tolerate freezing to an extent, they still prefer warmth. Changes in temperature, water, or sunlight can alter their color, with some “blushing” or changing hues in response to increased sunlight.

1. Jade Plant (crassula ovata)

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Like a bonsai, the jade plant features a thick trunk and branch structure resembling a miniature tree. Its glossy, dark green leaves grow oval, with some varieties displaying a reddish tint at the leaf tips. Under suitable conditions, mature jade plants may bloom beautiful white or pink star-shaped flowers.

2. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller)

Image courtesy of: Olivier_Le_Moal

Aloe vera is a must-have for anyone wanting a succulent in their garden, thanks to its rich history in traditional medicine, beauty, and nutrition. Even if you’re not into medicinal herbs, you can still benefit from aloe vera’s widespread availability. Plus, it’s low-maintenance—just avoid overwatering for a healthy plant.

3. Snake Plant (Dracaena Trifasciata)

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Snake Plants, classified as succulents, are adept at water retention despite their upright leaves. To prevent yellowing or wilting, refrain from overwatering and only hydrate them when the soil is dry.

4. Burro’s Tail (Sedum Morganianum)

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The donkey tail plant, also known as Sedum morganianum, is easy to grow and care for, making it a popular choice for beginners. Being a cactus, it is easy to care for—just place it in a well-draining pot and water occasionally.

5. Zebra Plant (Fasciated Haworthia)

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The zebra plant looks beautiful with its striking white or silvery bands on lush green leaves. Its thick, fleshy foliage makes it highly adaptable to different conditions, making it an excellent choice for any environment. Just ensure it gets plenty of bright light, whether from a bulb or the sun, making it perfect for indoor gardens.

6. Whale’s Tongue Agave (Agave ovatifolia)

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The striking appearance of the Whale’s Tongue Agave makes it an interesting addition to any garden. Make a note that it can grow to be up to five feet tall and six feet wide.

7. Zebra haworthia’s (Haworthia fasciata)

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Zebra haworthia, with its striking stripes and spiky foliage, may appear rare, but it’s readily available at garden centers and easy to care for. Just place it near a window for a few hours of bright, indirect light daily, and let the soil dry completely between waterings. It’s also perfect for terrariums or growing alongside other succulents because of its small size.

8. Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)

By Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova

Panda plants, native to Madagascar, have fuzzy gray-green leaves with soft, silvery hairs and brown or rust-colored spots at the tips. They grow slowly, reaching about 2 feet tall indoors. It is recommended to provide bright light near a window and allow the soil to dry between waterings, being careful not to wet the leaves to prevent rot.

9. African Milk Tree (Euphorbia trigona)

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This eye-catching succulent, requiring minimal attention, includes unique varieties like the Rubra with green and magenta hues. Care entails ample direct sunlight, light watering, and adaptability to various soils, but it’s toxic to pets.

10. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)

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This houseplant, aptly named for its winter blooming, especially around Christmas, thrives with regular watering and enjoys occasional misting during its growing season in the spring. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining cacti mix soil.

11. String of Pearls Green (Senecio Rowleyanus)

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The String of Pearls is a unique succulent with long, trailing stems adorned with small, pearl-like leaves. Its cascading growth makes it perfect for hanging baskets or as a trailing accent indoors or outdoors. Easy to care for, it requires bright, indirect light and infrequent watering.

12. Hens-and-Chicks (empervivum tectorum)

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Hens-and-chicks is well-known for its low maintenance and drought tolerance. The “hen” rosette is connected to its “chicks” via delicate roots, thriving in containers or rock gardens. Typically reaching 3 to 6 inches tall and 6 to 12 inches wide, it prefers bright light and well-draining soil, such as cacti or succulent mixes.

13. Echeveria

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Echeveria, with its striking rosettes resembling giant roses, thrives in containers or mixed with other succulents in the ground. It also does well indoors with sufficient bright light and prefers part to full sun exposure.

14. Angelina Stonecrop (Sedum Angelina)

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The Angelina Stonecrop is an evergreen perennial featuring succulent foliage that creates a dense, low-growing mat. Thriving in rocky or gravelly terrain, it produces small yellow flowers during the summer months. As autumn approaches, its foliage transforms into a warm orange or rust hue.

15. String of Bananas (Senecio radicans)

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The trailing indoor succulent plant features long tendrils of small banana-like leaves, ideal for standalone or mixed plantings. Regular pruning encourages thick, lush growth. It thrives in filtered sunlight and should be watered when the soil is dry to the touch.

16. Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

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The Ponytail palm, often mistaken for a palm tree but a succulent, is highly prized as one of the most appealing large houseplants. Its distinctive swollen stem base, resembling an elephant’s foot, has earned it the nickname “Elephant Foot Palm.” Thriving in sunny spots or bright indirect sunlight, it’s a low-maintenance plant that thrives on neglect, requiring infrequent watering.

17. Bear Paws (Cotyledon tomentosa)

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The bear paw succulent, perfect for indoor gardens, features thick, fuzzy leaves with dark red margins resembling bear claws, and can grow up to 1 foot tall. To care for it, water when the topsoil is 1-2 inches dry and place it in an area with full sun to partial shade for optimal growth.

18. Pinwheel Desert Rose (Aeonium arboreum)

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Also called Black Rose Tree Houseleek, this perennial succulent displays fleshy rosettes in solid colors or variegated hues of green, yellow, white, or red. It thrives in most light conditions, including partial shade, and should be watered when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out.

19. Moon Cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii)

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This striking cactus features bright red, yellow, and orange round tops on a green rootstock. It thrives with a dry period before heavy watering. To ensure optimal growth, place the green rootstock near a bright, indirect, sunny window for plenty of sunlight. While some indirect light is beneficial, limit direct sunlight exposure to no more than 2 hours daily to prevent color fading.

20. Happy Bean (Peperomia ferreyrae)

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Also known as Pincushion Peperomia, this succulent features bushy, curved leaves and can reach up to 8 inches in height and spread. For best growth, place it in full sun to partial shade and water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry.

The post 20 Best Succulents for Beginners: Easy-to-Grow Varieties You’ll Love first appeared on Yanko Design.

If you think pollution outdoors is already bad, you might be shocked to learn how bad the air we breathe indoors actually is. Although there’s no smoke from vehicles and other contaminants, there are still Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs that pose just as much of a threat to our health. Air purifiers are en vogue these days, but these machines aren’t always the best solutions, especially if you consider sustainability and environment-friendliness. That said, nature’s own air purifying workers alone might not be enough to handle all those harmful toxins in our homes, so this creative houseplant product combines a normal but potent plant with engineered bacteria to offer a greener way to keep your air at home clean and safe.

Designer: Neoplants

Plants have always been Mother Nature’s hard-working air purifiers, but some plants are just better than others at doing that job. The Marble Queen Pothos plant, for example, is notable for being quite effective while still being suitable as a houseplant. It’s still not enough, though, considering how many VOCs there are in the air we breathe indoors, so science, specifically biotechnology, is ready to lend a helping hand. Or tiny microscopic hands in this case.

The Neo PX utilizes a bioengineered microbiome that contains the evolution of two bacteria specifically designed to break down pollutants such as Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene, collectively referred to as BTX, into substances like sugars and proteins that are beneficial to the growth of a plant. These bacteria are dried up and packaged as “Power Drops” that are dissolved in water and then poured into the soil of the house plant. Not only do these microorganisms help remove the VOCs from the air, they also transform them into nutrients for the Marble Queen Pothos plant growing from it.

Even the plant pot itself, the third part of the Neo PX system, is specially designed to facilitate this process. Unlike a typical pot, it has vents at the bottom and an internal structure that facilitates airflow, bringing the dirty air into the bacteria-enriched soil to enhance the plant’s root growth. It also incorporates a simple self-watering system so that you only need to refill the water reservoir once every three weeks during winter or once every two weeks in summer.

The best part of this system is that it doesn’t require any electricity or chemicals to function. The shell of the pot itself is made from eco-friendly PLA Flax derived from renewable and biodegradable materials. There are no fans for sucking up and blowing out air, so you don’t have to worry about charging anything or keeping it near a wall socket. Neo PX is definitely an interesting air purifying solution that also adds to the aesthetic of a room with its minimalist design and lush green foliage, keeping your air clean while also helping to keep the planet alive.

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