AIR-PURIFYING PLANTS

Negros, Ardianne Joseph C.

Planning 1
 CHARACTERISTICS:
Spider Plant • One of the easiest houseplants to grow.
• Loves bright, indirect sunlight.
Also known as air plants, spider plants grow • Pollutants removed:
quickly and look great in hanging baskets,
especially in your work space. Sometimes they Formaldehyde, xylene
even produce lovely white blossoms.
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 CHARACTERISTICS:
Garden Mum • Inexpensive and available at garden stores
• Can be planted outside
Popular and inexpensive at garden stores in the • Pollutants removed:
fall, mums have beautiful blooms. These
perennials are also great for plant interaction, Ammonia, Benzene, Formaldehyde, Xylene
since they’ll occasionally require some
deadheading (the pinching off of spent flowers). Your Logo or Name Here 3
 CHARACTERISTICS:
Aloe Vera • Leaves hold a fluid that has anti-inflammatory, wound
healing properties.
• Must drain properly, do not thrive in standing water.
In addition to being easy to care for, aloe comes • Pollutants removed:
with some serious health wins. The plant’s leaves
contain a clear liquid full of vitamins, enzymes, Formaldehyde
amino acids, and other compounds that have
wound-healing, antibacterial, and anti- Your Logo or Name Here 4
inflammatory properties.
 CHARACTERISTICS:
Bamboo Palm • Thrive in full sun or bright light.
• Grow four to 12 feet high
Palms thrive in a nice amount of light away from • Pollutants removed:
cold drafts. They can bring a lot of green to your
space, reaching heights of 12 feet, but they’re Benzene, Formaldehyde, trichloroethylene
slow-growing. Give your bamboo palm at least
three years before repotting in a larger container. Your Logo or Name Here 5
 CHARACTERISTICS:
Snake Plant • Require occasional watering
• Prefer drier conditions and some sun
• Pollutants removed:
This is one of the hardest houseplants to kill.
Although it does need to be watered Benzene, Formaldehyde, trichloroethylene,
occasionally, it generally prefers drier conditions. Xylene
The snake plant tolerates most light levels,
making it any easy choice for just about any room Your Logo or Name Here 6
 CHARACTERISTICS:
Dracaena • Come in more than 40 different varieties.
• Toxic to cats and dogs when eaten
• Pollutants removed:
There are more than 40 different kinds of
Dracaena plants, making it easy to find one that’s Benzene, Formaldehyde, trichloroethylene,
a perfect fit for your home or office. Pet owners Xylene
might want to select a different plant, however,
as these are toxic to cats and dogs when Your Logo or Name Here 7
consumed.
 CHARACTERISTICS:
Ficus/Weeping Fig • Grows two to 10 feet tall.
• Loves bright, indirect sunlight.
The ficus is a tree in its native lands of southeast • Pollutants removed:
Asia and parts of Australia. When it grows
indoors, it’s a hardy plant that can eventually Benzene, Formaldehyde, trichloroethylene
reach 10 feet. Grow this low-maintenance beauty
in bright, indirect light, and allow the soil to dry Your Logo or Name Here 8
out between waterings.
 CHARACTERISTICS:
Peace Lily • Blooms fragrant flowers throughout summer.
• Grows best in shady areas.
• Pollutants removed:
Peace lily plants are relatively small compared to
many of the plants on this list, so they’re ideal for Ammonia, Benzene, Formaldehyde,
compact spaces. Put peace lilies in a shady spot trichloroethylene
and keep the soil moist without overwatering.
Easy to grow, these plants will flower for much of Your Logo or Name Here 9
the summer.
 CHARACTERISTICS:
Boston Fern • Needs to stay moist.
• Prefer high humidity and indirect light.
These plants prefer to clean the air from a cool • Pollutants removed:
location with high humidity and indirect light.
They’re relatively easy to grow, but they do need Formaldehyde, Xylene
to stay moist. Check your Boston fern’s soil daily
to see if it needs water and give it a good soak Your Logo or Name Here 10
once per month.
 CHARACTERISTICS:
English Ivy • Toxic to animals and humans.
• Prefer high humidity and indirect light.
• Pollutants removed:
This evergreen climbing plant is well adapted to
indoor conditions. Different varieties will prefer Benzene, Carbon Monoxide, Formaldehyde,
different light situations, from bright, indirect Trichloroethylene
light to low-light spaces. It’ll look especially
picturesque growing from a hanging basket or Your Logo or Name Here 11
around your windowsill.
 CHARACTERISTICS:
• Likes high humidity, a little regular misting, and getting

Chinese Evergreen repotted every few years.

• Toxic to dogs.
• Pollutants removed:
These evergreen perennials are native to tropical
forests in Asia. In addition to looking patterned Benzene, Carbon Monoxide, Formaldehyde,
and colorful, these pretty plants can remove Trichloroethylene
many common toxins. But caring for these plants
may require extra attention. Your Logo or Name Here 12
 CHARACTERISTICS:
• Likes high humidity, a little regular misting, and getting

Golden Pothos repotted every few years.

• Keep this plant out of reach for both cats and dogs
• Pollutants removed:
Also known as devil’s ivy, this plant may be as
close as plants can get to indestructible. It Formaldehyde, Xylene, Toluene, benzene,
flourishes in a variety of conditions and can grow Carbon Monoxide, Trichloroethylene
up to 8 feet long. It’s also considered one of the
most effective indoor air purifiers for removing Your Logo or Name Here 13
common toxins.
 CHARACTERISTICS:
Weeping Fig • Popular houseplants since the Victorian times.
• Keep your weeping fig in bright, indirect light away
from draft
Ficus benjamina, commonly known as weeping • Pollutants removed:
fig, benjamin fig or ficus tree, and often sold in
stores as just ficus, is a species of flowering plant Formaldehyde, Xylene, Toluene
in the family Moraceae, native to Asia and
Australia. Your Logo or Name Here 14
 CHARACTERISTICS:
Areca Palms • Leaves are non-toxic.
• Pollutants removed:
This small plant from Madagascar is easier to
grow outdoors. But if you have a space with benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde,
bright filtered light, its gracefully arching leaves trichloroethylene, xylene
will make a pretty addition to the room.
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 CHARACTERISTICS:
• They like moist soil but need good drainage.

Broad Lady Palm • Tolerant of low light, these palms can grow to six feet
tall.
• Pollutants removed:
Known as broad lady palm or broadleaf lady
palm, this plant can reduce the ammonia found Benzene, Nitrogen Oxide, Formaldehyde, Xylene,
in some indoor cleaning products. Toluene

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 Chrysanthemums CHARACTERISTICS:
• Toxic to both cats and dogs.
Florist’s chrysanthemums or “mums” are ranked • Pollutants removed:
the highest for air purification. They’re shown to
eliminate common toxins as well as ammonia. formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, ammonia

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 CHARACTERISTICS:
Red Edge Dracaena • The leaves have a bright red trim which add a flash of
color to your home.
• This plant has the potential to grow to 8ft
One of the most dramatic houseplants is the red- • Pollutants removed:
edged dracaena, or as it is sometimes called, the
Madagascar dragon tree. Trichloroethylene, Xylene

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 CHARACTERISTICS:
Philodendron • When in too much shade, they tend to fade to a dull
green.
Philodendrons are native to tropical rainforests • Pollutants removed:
where they ruggedly climb up trees. When
translated into a home setting, these plants Formaldehyde
prefer dappled light, much like the canopy of a
tropical rainforest. Your Logo or Name Here 19

Fittonia 'Frankie'
Fittonia verschaffeltii has beautiful green leaves
with pink vein , making it a standout among
house plants. It is native to South Africa. Nerve
plant is a low-growing creeper that suitable for
terrarium or bottle gardens.
CHARACTERISTICS:
• This variety, 'Frankie,' has pink and green leaves, while
others have white and green or green and red foliage.
• Fittonias grow 3 to 6 inches high.
• Pollutants removed:
Toluene, Benzene, Trichloroethylene
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 CHARACTERISTICS:
Flamingo Lily • Anthuriums need bright, indirect light and high
humidity.
This evergreen plant, red anthurium, is also • Pollutants removed:
known as flamingo lily for its flamboyant flowers.
Ammonia, Toluene, Formaldehyde, Xylene

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 CHARACTERISTICS:
Rubber Tree • Removes mold spores and bacteria from the air (by up
to 60%)
Ficus elastica, the rubber fig, rubber bush, rubber • Pollutants removed:
tree, rubber plant, or Indian rubber bush, Indian
rubber tree, is a species of flowering plant in the Formaldehyde
family Moraceae, native to eastern parts of South
Asia and southeast Asia. Your Logo or Name Here 22
 Scarlet Star CHARACTERISTICS:
• Grow in tropical wet and humid forests
The scarlet star is a great plant option to grow if • Pollutants removed:
you want something long-lasting and unique.
This plant provides a stark pop of color, as the Toluene, Xylene, Benzene
leaves tend to umbrella out from the main
flower. Your Logo or Name Here 23
 CHARACTERISTICS:
Date Palm • Not only does it clean the air, it also releases moisture
and acts as a natural humidifier
The Areca palm is native to Madagascar and • Pollutants removed:
brings tropical vibes to any space. Dates grow
large, up to 120 feet (36 m.), and can live for 100 Formaldehyde, Toluene, Xylene
years
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 Kimberly Queen Fern CHARACTERISTICS:
• attain a height of 24 to 36 inches
Another one of our favorite indoor plants is the • Pollutants removed:
Kimberly queen fern. They’re less prone to
shedding than their cousin the Boston fern, and Formaldehyde, Xylene
they thrive in indirect sunlight.
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 Philodendron Heartleaf CHARACTERISTICS:
• may be grown in soil or just in water
Philodendrons (including heart-leaf, elephant ear, • Pollutants removed:
and sellous philodendrons) are all effective air-
purifying plants. Heartleaf philodendron is a Formaldehyde
species of flowering plant in the family Araceae,
native to Central America and the Caribbean. Your Logo or Name Here 26
 CHARACTERISTICS:
White Jewel • Never place the plant in direct sun, as the rays can
scorch the leaves
• Pollutants removed:
In addition to purifying the air, a Dracaena will
also apparently improve attention span and Formaldehyde, Xylene, Trichloroethylene,
boost memory—making it perfect for your home Benzene
office.
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 Janet Craig CHARACTERISTICS:
• Tough and adaptable
If you’re looking for air-purifying plants that are • Pollutants removed:
easy to take care of, the Janet Craig is for you.
This low-maintenance plant is perfect for the Trichloroethylene, Benzene
newbie green thumb looking to boost their
indoor air quality. Your Logo or Name Here 28
 CHARACTERISTICS:
• Can be grown outdoors as annuals in almost any

Barberton Daisy
climate
• If large quantities are eaten, it may result in vomiting,
nausea and a loss of appetite.
Gerbera jamesonii is a species of flowering plant • Pollutants removed:
in the genus Gerbera belonging to the basal
Mutisieae tribe within the large Asteraceae Trichloroethylene, Benzene, Formaldehyde
family. This flowering plant produces one of the
happiest flowers, and it is also a powerful air Your Logo or Name Here 29
purifier.
 CHARACTERISTICS:
Tatch Palm
• Dislike direct sunlight.
• Very slow grower, with an ultimate height of about 15
to 20 feet
The thatch palm is native to Australia and has a • Pollutants removed:
skinny trunk with dark green fronds. These are
easy plants to grow as they can tolerate varying Formaldehyde, Ammonia, Carbon monoxide
conditions, making them a great option for those
new to caring for plants. Your Logo or Name Here 30
 CHARACTERISTICS:
Lemon Button Fern • naturally raises humidity levels inside your home
• They can grow up to a height of 12 inches maximum.
Like other ferns, the lemon button fern is • Pollutants removed:
generally easy to maintain, making it a great
option for those who lead a busy lifestyle. They Formaldehyde, Xylene, Toluene
typically grow to be a foot high and do best in
indirect sunlight, which would make this plant a Your Logo or Name Here 31
great option for a desk or table.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
• Ammonia
• Acolorless gas with a very distinct odor. This odor is familiar to many people because ammonia is used in smelling
salts, many household and industrial cleaners, and window-cleaning products.
• Benzene
• Air contains low levels of benzene from tobacco smoke, gas stations, motor vehicle exhaust, and industrial emissions.
• Carbon Monoxide
• an odorless, colorless gas formed by the incomplete combustion of fuels. When people are exposed to CO gas, the CO
molecules will displace the oxygen in their bodies and lead to poisoning.
• Formaldehyde
• Formaldehyde is a strong-smelling, colorless gas used in making building materials and many household products. It is
used in pressed-wood products, such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard; glues and adhesives; permanent-
press fabrics; paper product coatings; and certain insulation materials
• Xylene
• a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor. Exposure to xylene can irritate the eyes, nose, skin, and throat.
Xylene is used in many industries. It’s used in the petroleum and wood processing industries.

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DEFINITION OF TERMS
• Toluene
• a clear, colorless liquid which becomes a vapor when exposed to air at room temperature. Toluene is typically used in
a mixture with other solvents and chemicals such as paint pigments.
• Trichloroethylene
• a volatile, colorless liquid organic chemical. It is used primarily to make refrigerants and other hydrofluorocarbons
and as a degreasing solvent for metal equipment.
• Nitrogen Oxide
• A family of poisonous, highly reactive gases. Nitrogen Oxide pollution is emitted by automobiles, trucks and various
non-road vehicles (e.g., construction equipment, boats, etc.)
• Oxygen
• A colorless, odorless, tasteless gas essential to living organisms, being taken up by animals, which convert it to carbon
dioxide

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