The air quality of indoor spaces is a major health concern. In some areas, indoor air has been reported to be (max) 12 times more polluted than outdoor air. Indoor air pollutants can come from paints, varnishes, adhesives, furnishings, clothing, solvents, building materials, and even tap water. Houseplants can purify the air we breathe by filtering out toxins, pollutants and carbon dioxide.

Kamal Meattle had a TED talk where he discussed the three plants you need to create your own “Fresh Air.” These three plants are the Areca Palm, Mother-in-law’s Tongue, and the Money Plant.

Areca Palm

• Works well in the day time
• Need about 4 shoulder high plants/person
• Needs to be put outdoors once every 3-4 months
• The leaves of the plant need to be wiped often
• The soil used should be of vermi manure or hydroponics

Mother-in-law’s Tongue

• Converts CO2 into O2 at night
• 6-8 waist high plants per person in the bedroom
• Leaves need to be wiped often
• The soil used should be of vermi manure or use hydroponics

Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum)

• Removes Formaldehyde and other VOC’s 
• Best grown using hydroponics

• Bamboo Palm
• Chinese Evergreen
• English Ivy
• Gerbera Daisy
• Golden Pothos 
• Janet Craig Dracaena
• Marginata Dracaena 
• Cornstalk Dracaena
• Mother-in-Law’s Tongue
• Pot Mum
• Peace Lily
• Purple Waffle Plant
• Reed Palm
• Snake plant
• Warneck Dracaena
• Weeping Fig