The importance of indoor air quality to human health has become of increasing interest in developed countries where inhabitants often spend over 90% of their time indoors.
Scientists studying the air-purification capacities of indoor plants have found that plants can absorb many other gases in addition to carbon dioxide, including a long list of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
While most leafy plants are adept at purifying indoor air, some of the plants that scientists have found most useful in removing volatile organic compounds are:
- Japanese royal ferns (Osmunda japonica)
- Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata)
- Purple Waffle plants (Hemigraphis alternata)
- English Ivy (Hedera helix)
- [Areca Palms (Dypsis lutescens)]({{ site.baseurl }}{% post_url 2018-06-07-areca-palm %})
- [Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)]({{ site.baseurl }}{% post_url 2018-06-03-golden-pothos %})
- [Aloe Vera]({{ site.baseurl }}{% post_url 2018-05-02-aloe-vera %})
- [Snake plants ((Sansevieria trifasciata))]({{ site.baseurl }}{% post_url 2018-05-05-snake-plant %})
- [Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum)]({{ site.baseurl }}{% post_url 2018-05-25-peace-lilies %})
Fern is the common name for plants in the phylum or division Pterophyta, also known as Filicophyta, sometimes called sword or ladder fern. Ferns are vascular plants that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers.
Ferns first appear in the fossil record about 360 million years ago.
These plants prefer a cool location with high humidity and indirect light. They're relatively easy to grow, but they do need to stay moist. Check the Boston Fern’s soil daily to see if it needs water, and give it a good soak once per month.
Pollutants removed: Ammonia, Benzene, Formaldehyde, Trichloroethylene, Toluene, Octane, Terpene.
Know More Links
From contamination to beautification: ferns remove arsenic from soil
Screening Indoor Plants for Volatile Organic Pollutant Removal Efficiency
Screening Indoor Plants for Volatile Organic Pollutant Removal Efficiency - PDF