Plants that purify air

Looking to reduce toxins in your home? It's often the germs and toxins that you can't see that are the most harmful, but alas these air cleaning plants will help you remove toxins and improve air quality. Here is a round-up of the best air purifying indoor plants using NASA's Clean Air Study that will add a touch of colour and clean air to your home.

1. Devil’s Ivy or pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Otherwise known as pothos or golden pothos, devil's ivy is an easy to grow indoor houseplant that will fight off common household toxins. It adds instant colour to any room with cascading tendrils and grows well in water, pots and hanging baskets. The heartleaf philodendron has also been said to be harder to kill than to keep alive! 

2. Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix Roebelenii)

Dwarf or Pygmy palms are the babies of the palm family. They are relatively easy to grow in partial shade, growing up to six to 10 feet with their fronds reaching six foot too!

3.  Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Also known as a spathiphyllum, peace lilies  are an easy and undemanding plant to look after. Their glossy green leaves make the perfect addition to any room especially those spots with low light. Keep them happy with a weekly water and fertilise with a slow-release fertiliser in spring to promote growth and those glorious white flowers.

4. Philodendron

The heart-shaped philodendron is a luscious addition to indoor spaces. Philo’s are relatively easy to look after they just need moderate water and bright, indirect sunlight.

5.  Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plants are the perfect choice for newbies and those with a bad track record when it comes to plants. They thrive in indirect sunlight and survive in just about any condition (they’ve been known to survive in temperatures as low as 2 degrees). Spider plants also send out shoots of baby spider plants called spiderettes.

6. Rubber plants (Ficus elastic)

These burgundy evergreen trees originated from India, they’re a very hardy plant that love bright, filtered light and weekly watering in summer and fortnightly watering in winter. Rubber plants can grow in a small pot or be encouraged to grow into a large indoor tree in pots or straight in the ground.

7. Snake Plant/Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Snake Plants otherwise known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue is a succulent plant that can grow up to two meters in height. It is a low maintenance plant that is hardy and thrives on neglect. Place them in somewhere tolerating bright even direct light for a couple of hours a day. Be careful not to overwater as they thrive in dry conditions.