A Beginner's Guide to Air-Purifying Plants

Do you ever feel like you could use some fresh air but are limited by where you are working?

This is how I feel often. While I am lucky enough to work in a building that is located in the middle of a forest, my work space has no windows or natural light. I make it a point to get outside as much as I can during the warmer days but even this can be limiting once we get to that brutal Chicagoland weather. I know I am not alone in this…but nature has a solution! Did you know that there are many indoor plants that are natural purifiers?

Having these plants around will not only give you that sense of peace and serenity that you get when you’re in nature but they will also purify those icky toxins that live in the air around us. Knowing these plants exist is great but it can be overwhelming deciding which plant to choose - especially when there are so many factors at play. Not to worry...I have done some research to help you find your perfect plant pal!

Spider Plant

Before purchasing a new plant, you will want to consider these factors.

First things first - lighting. If you, like me, have no natural light in the office, you’ll need a plant that can handle low light levels.

Second is space. If you have a small workspace, then you will need to start with a small plant and make sure to take into account how much it will grow.

Maintenance is another factor to consider. How much time are you able to give to your plant? Personally, I can be quite lazy when it comes to caring for plants. If I have to be constantly trimming and watering then my plant will unfortunately not survive. If you’re like me, you will want to find a plant that requires low maintenance.

Do you work from home and have pets? You will need to make sure your plants are non-toxic to animals.

There are other factors to consider so I recommend you do some research on your own. But to save you some time and anxiety, I have listed a few beautiful plants that require little light, are easy to maintain, come in any size, and are non-toxic!

1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

2. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

3. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

4. Orchids (Orchidaceae family, e.g. Phalaenopsis sp.)

5. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Boston Fern

There are so many more options out there. Visit this link or review this article to check them out.

So now that you have a good place to start, go and get yourself a new plant! You won’t regret it.

- Arbella Pera

References:

Admin. (2023, April 8). 28 low light indoor plants safe for cats and dogs. Balcony Garden Web. https://balconygardenweb.com/low-light-indoor-plants-safe-for-cats-and-dogs/

Brownlow, C. (2023, May 1). 9 Air-Purifying Plants Safe for Dogs and Cats. BeChewy. https://be.chewy.com/air-purifying-plants-safe-for-dogs-cats/