Air quality in India is deteriorating, especially in cities like Delhi, Gurgaon, and Ghaziabad. See, there are many reasons for this decline in air quality, like pollution from vehicles, industries, stubble burning, and construction, however people and agencies are playing blame game, the only thing that is confirmed is that we, the people, are under huge risks.
As the government is trying to tackle the pollution outside our home, and will take some time, we can do our bit and try to minimise the exposure, one way to do this is by placing some air purifying indoor plants inside your home, office, and other spaces.
Before getting to the solution of the problem, let’s first analyse what are some of the components that constitutes to the polluted air inside your home or office space.
#1. Benzene
An organic compound emanating from the furniture like bed, and couch is also released from the LPG gas we use for cooking. In your office, this compound is also released from printers and photocopy machines.
Additionally, if you are a smoker, guess what, Benzene gets released.
Exposure to Benzene can make you nauseous, give you headaches, dizziness, and can also cause insomnia.
#2. Carbon Monoxide
This gas is released from vehicles, so if your space is on a busy road or you live on the lower floors, your inside air will have carbon monoxide. Additionally, this gas also comes from the cigarette smoke.
If one is exposed to carbon monoxide for long, he/she will feel tired all the time, in addition, the person will also experience headaches, problem in breathing, coughing, much more.
#3. Formaldehyde
Just like Benzene, Formaldehyde is also an organic compound which is generally found in cosmetic items, paints, adhesives (glue), paper products, plywood, and even building materials amongst many others.
If you are exposed to this compound causes irritation in eyes, nose, skin, and even throat. Prolonged exposure are also said to cause certain cancers in humans. This exacerbates the need for air purifying indoor plants at home to counter the effects of such pollutants.
#4. Ammonia
An odourless gas which can be found in materials used during construction. Exposure to ammonia causes burning sensation in throat, nose, eyes, and skin. Plus, after a certain level, people experience vomiting and headaches.
#5. Trichloroethylene
A volatile organic compound that is found in lubricants, varnishes, adhesives, paint removers, chemical cleaners, and some other products. Exposure of this compound has seen to be affecting the reproductive and immune systems along with central nervous system, kidneys and livers.
As these compounds and gases mixes with the air present inside our homes and offices, we can use some plants to neutralise them, minimising the harm on our health.
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Top 10 Air Purifying Indoor Plants In India With Names & Images
Below you will find the list of air purifying indoor plants in India that you should keep in your home or office space to purify the air inside.
#1. Money Plant
Also known as Golden Pothos, and Devil’s Ivy. Money plant has heart-shaped green leaves with bits and shades of gold colour in them.
Money Plants are one of the most commonly used plants that improve indoor air quality, as money plants give out oxygen even at night, this makes them that much more feasible and valuable placing them in your living and bed room.
Money plant can be planted in both water and soild, additionally, if you already have this plant in your garden, all you need to do is place a part that money plant and put it in soil/water and it’ll start growing.
One thing to keep in mind is that, if you are growing it in water, the water must be changed every week. Money plant removes gases and compounds like Carbon monoxide, Benzene, Formaldehyde, Xylene and Toulene from indoor air.
#2. Peace Lily
A plant with big dark green leaves and a white spate, this plant has been found to eradicate Benzene, Trichloroethane, and Formaldehyde present in the air indoors. Peace Lily is said to have the ability improve indoor air quality by as much as 60%.
Additionally, you can also place Peace Lily in your bathroom as the plant helps keep floor tiles and walls free from ‘mildew’. Also, the plant feeds on ‘mold spores’, it absorbs the mold spores from the air through it leaves, circulates it to its roots.
This plant also removes the dryness from the indoor air. It is undoubtedly one of the best indoor plants for oxygen in India.
Also Read: List Of 10 Most Dangerous Plants In The World
#3. Snake Plant
Also knows as Viper’s Bowstring Hemp is said to remove toxins, compounds from air like Xylene, Benzene, and Toulene.
Just like Money Plant, Snake Plant too, give out oxygen at night, in addition, if you are a bit careless, do not worry, Snake Plants don’t need extensive care, and can survive without water for days. Snake plants also cleans the Carbon Monoxide from the air.
It is also one of the most Oxygen producing houseplant. The air purifying indoor plant can also survive in low light areas, so if you do not get a lot of light in your office/home space, you can place this plant inside.
#4. Areca Palm
Also known as Yellow Palm and Golden Cane plant, according to a research conducted by NASA, this plant is amongst the top 10 plants in removing Formaldehyde from air.
This plant is also a great humidifier, a 6 feet tall Areca Palm plant can provide you with 1 litre of water in the air in just 24 hours.
Apart from Formaldehyde, the plant also neutralises Carbon monoxide, Benzene, Xylene, and Trichloroethylene from the air. Additionally, as the plant do not contain any chemicals, it is not toxic for children and pets.
#5. Rubber Plant
Also knows as Rubber Bush Plant, this plant efficiently removes VOCs and Bio Effluents from the air. However, if you have pets, please note that Rubber Plants are toxic to some animals.
Rubber plant also reduce the bacteria and spores present in the indoor air by a maximum of 60% and this plant, too, like some of the others on this list do not need much care, they require water once the soil is completely dried out, which means not more than once a week, and can survive under low light conditions.
The plant can also survive a low temperature of up to 4 degree Celsius, however with low temperature, one should keep in mind that water dries out slowly, so do not over water this plant or it’ll die.
#6. Aloe Vera
We know that the gel inside its leaves are used to heal cuts and burns, and also people use it to moisturise their skin, but little did we know that Aloe Vera is found to be effective in purifying the air as well.
Aloe Vera is very easy to grow, but require light (even artificial will work), and is very hard to kill, as it requires watering once in 3 weeks and during winters once in a month, this makes is a good choice for people who do not possess a talent of garden keeping.
This plant removes Benzene and Formaldehyde from the air, and like the 2 plants mentioned above, this too releases oxygen during the night.
#7. Weeping Fig Plant
Also known as Benjamin Fig, and Ficus Tree.
According to the study done by NASA, this tree eradicates Benzene, Xylene, Toluene, Trichloroethylene, and Formaldehyde from the air which makes it one of the best indoor plants for oxygen in India.
This plat is not so easy going, though it does not need watering everyday, the plant does not like to be moved a lot, if the plant is moved or even rotated in some cases, it sheds its leaves as the plant goes into a sort of a shock.
Please note, just like Rubber Plant, this too is poisonous for some pets.
#8. Common Ivy
Also known as English Ivy, European Ivy, and Ivy is known for removing Xylene, Benzene, Toluene, and Formaldehyde from the air.
Apart from this, this plant is also known for removing certain particles from the air which makes it even better to keep at home of someone has Asthma.
However, this air purifying indoor plant is also toxic, so keeping it away from the reach of children and pets is a must. Also Common Ivy grows in all directions, so it becomes very important that Ivy do not grow to other space.
#9. Chinese Evergreen Plant
Chinese Evergreens are known to remove Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, Trichloroethylene, and Formaldehyde from the air.
The Chinese Evergreens thrive in low lights, so make sure you do not put them in direct sunlight. Also, watering them once a week is more than sufficient, before watering the plant again, make sure the soil is not damp.
However, please keep in mind, Chinese Evergreen plants need an ambient room temperature of 16 degree Celsius or more as they cannot tolerate cold temperatures.
#10. Spider Plant
Also known as Airplane Plants, and was found to be effective in removing Xylene, Toluene, and Formaldehyde from the air according to NASA’s study. In some cases the plant eradicated 90% of toxins from the indoor air.
Additionally, Spider Plant removes mold and some other allergens from the air, which makes it an ideal choice to keep inside your home/office.
Spider plant too does not require a lot of care and are perfect for people who do not have a green thumb. Water them when the soil has dried out and keep them away from direct sunlight, and the plant will take care of rest.
With this we conclude the list of the best indoor plants for oxygen in India. Let us know which is your favourite pick.
