11/19/2024
Air-Purifying Plants for Your Home
ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
ZZ plant, a shortened version of its botanical name, Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is a sturdy and easy to care for air-purifying plant. ZZ plants have glossy, oval leaves with each stem producing a feather-like appearance. This plant is sturdy and low maintenance, “making it perfect for an office desk—and a forgetful plant owner,” says Mast. By the way—if you love fruit but don’t have the outdoor space to plant trees, learn how to grow indoor fruit trees.
Rubber Tree
Ficus elastica
With large, dark green, oval-shaped leaves, rubber trees are considered low maintenance plants. “The rubber tree is very tolerant of neglect and can be grown by event with very little experience,” Mast says. It thrives in indirect, bright light and can tolerate a lower light area, though its leaf colors may not be as pronounced.
Heartleaf Philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum
If you’re new to plant parenthood and are feeling a bit nervous about caring for indoor plants, the heartleaf philodendron is a beautiful vining plant to start with. It’s incredibly forgiving and will tolerate all kinds of neglect including low light, poor soil, and inconsistent watering, says Mast. As the name implies, it has heart-shaped leaves. This is an ideal plant if you want to spruce up an area of your home without extra work.
Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
Looking for a plant for your bathroom? Consider a whimsical Boston fern. “Boston ferns love humidity so the bathroom is a perfect spot for this gorgeous fern,” says Mast who goes on to say regular weekly misting will keep your Boston fern vibrant. In return, it will help keep you healthy, too. Psst—grow these foolproof ferns in your shade garden.
Pothos
pictus
This air-purifying, striking tropical plant has heart-shaped dark green leaves with silvery hues. It works in any room of your home provided it doesn’t receive direct sunlight. “The silver pothos plant is a fairly new variety that beloved for its full growth and unusual coloring,” Mast says. “It’s less vining than other pothos and grows fuller and cascades splendidly in a hanging planter or on a shelf where there is room for it to spread.”
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum
If you’re looking for an air-purifying houseplant that flowers, consider the graceful peace lily with its beautiful, white flowers and shiny green leaves. “They enjoy warm, humid conditions and are easily adaptable to many conditions,” Mast says. They even work in artificial light making them great additions to the home. Peace lilies can also adapt to artificial lighting found in offices.”
