The Very Best Air-Purifying Plants for a Healthy Home
For years, humans have been bringing the outside in. We feel connected to nature and it’s only natural that we want to bring a little piece if it indoors with us to liven up our homes and workspaces. We often feel better when we’re close to plants, but do they really improve our health and mental wellbeing?
Plant life balance: Houseplants, health and wellbeing
Many studies back up what plant enthusiasts have known for years – houseplants really do make us feel better! Scientists at RMIT University, the University of Melbourne and CAUL Hub conducted a recent study called ‘Plant Life Balance’.
This research looked at 101 scientific articles that explored the advantages of houseplants and discovered two main benefits: improved indoor air quality and mental wellbeing. You can check out the full study here!
What’s wrong with indoor air?
It may surprise you to learn that the average urban dweller spends up to 90% of their time indoors! Overtime, indoor air builds up with carbon monoxide (CO2), which we exhale, as well as chemicals from things like paint, furniture finishings, cleaning products, scented candles and air fresheners.
Many of these chemicals are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and can turn into vapours that we inhale. While small amounts of these vapours are okay, if too many of these nasties build up, it’s not too good for our health. That’s why it’s so important to ensure your home has decent airflow!
Can houseplants really improve indoor air quality?
You may have heard that there are air-purifying plants out there that can improve indoor air quality. Is this true? The short answer is yes, but (there’s always a but!) it depends on many factors, including which plants are used and how many plants you have per m2.
Many studies suggest that plants air-purifying properties can positively influence indoor air quality. One study you might have heard of is NASA’s Clean Air Study, which suggests that many tropical plants commonly used as houseplants, have air-purifying qualities and are effective at reducing VOCs and other airborne pollutants.
But (here comes the but) because our indoor spaces are not quite the same as totally enclosed space stations, it turns out you’d need a need a whole nursery full of plants to cleanse the air in a small home! But (here comes another but) all is not lost!
The science behind air-purifying plants
There is still science to back up the health benefits of plants. Just like rainforests absorb our CO2 emissions, houseplants can absorb carbon monoxide and other common indoor pollutants (such as benzene, ammonia and formaldehyde) from the air and replace them with fresh breathable oxygen. In other words, having plants indoors will improve your air quality to some degree. Better yet, research suggests that indoor plants also have an incredibly positive influence on your mental wellbeing.
What is wellbeing and how can houseplants help?
Wellbeing is a term that refers to feelings of inspiration, relaxation, and positivity. It’s goes beyond the absence of illness, and refers to a person's overall physical, mental, and emotional health. The better your wellbeing is, the greater your happiness and life satisfaction!
So how can houseplants help? Well, the research from the Plant Life Balance study revealed that with the right number and variety of plants, you really can improve your wellbeing! Curated (rather than chaotic) collections of different plant varieties and sizes can calm the mind and help us relax and de-stress. They also evoke our imagination and can improve our mood, concentration and productivity. Pretty nifty hey?
Okay, so how many houseplants do I need to reap the benefits?
As part of the Plant Life Balance study, the research team developed a Plant Life Balance Index. This awesome guide gives you a great rule of thumb for deciding how many plants to add to your home to improve both your indoor air quality and your wellbeing.
In a small room (3x3 metres) such as a bathroom, kid’s bedroom or office, 1 plant can give you up to 45% cleaner air and boost your wellbeing. In a medium room (4x5 metres), such as a master bedroom or media room, 1 plant can give you around 25% cleaner air, while improving your wellbeing. In a large room (8x8 metres), such as an open plan living area, 1 plant can give you around 25% clearer air and enhance your wellbeing.
So, what does that tell us?
Well two things really! The more plants you have per square metre, the more you can improve your indoor air quality and sense of wellbeing. It also proves that just one plant can positively influence your air quality and drastically enhance your wellbeing. So great news crazy plant people! You now have two more reasons to justify your growing plant collection.
Looking for the best air-purifying plants?
According to the NASA Clean Air Study, the plants with the greatest air-purifying properties are:
If you’re looking for some air-purifying plants to add to your home or office, then we’ve got the plant pack for you! Our Air Purifier Houseplant Pack is loaded with wonderful air-purifying plant varieties. Dip your toes in the water with a 4-plant pack, or dive right in with our 8-plant pack.
Want air-purifying plants that are safe for pets? Check out our Pet-Friendly Indoor Plant Pack featuring wonderful Calathea, varieties which are both air purifying and safe for your fur babies. Looking for some hardy, easy-care houseplants? Check out our Plant Killer pack of hardy houseplants, including the air-purifying plants such as Spathiphllum and Epipremnum!
Don’t forget to curate your plant collection
Just remember, curating your houseplants into an aesthetically pleasing arrangement will maximise your wellbeing! The easiest way to do this is by using a range of pots in the same colour or by using matching pots of different sizes. For inspiration, check out our Mr Kitly Assorted Sizes Pot Bundle and other Mr Kitly products. For the more adventurous, try experimenting will a variety of harmonious pot colours and textures! Keep arranging your plant babies until they bring you the most joy!
