Detox your home: 5 powerful air-purifying plants for clean air and wellness
Bringing fresh air and a touch of nature to our home doesn’t have to be complicated. As a Filipino mom living in the Netherlands, I know how much we miss the lush greenery of the Philippines. Trees and plants are everywhere! And we love our backyard garden at home, right? The good news is that we can always bring some of that natural beauty indoors while also improving our home's air quality.
I used to take it for granted when I see plants in office spaces, or in other people's homes, especially when I was still in the Philippines. Basta ganon lang. Even in the house we grew up in back in my home country, I remember my mom som asking us to water the hanging plants by our living room window. But indoor plants don’t just make our home look cozy and inviting. Many of them actually work hard behind the scenes, purifying the air and creating a healthier environment for our family. Today, let’s talk about five of the best air-purifying plants that are perfect for busy moms like us!*
1. Areca Palm: The Natural Humidifier
Why You’ll Love It: The Areca Palm isn’t just a beautiful plant. It's a natural air purifier that also acts as a humidifier, So this is great especially during the dry winters of Europe.
Health Benefits:
✅ Removes toxins like formaldehyde and benzene (which can be found in household cleaners and furniture).
✅ Adds moisture to the air, preventing dry skin, allergies, and throat irritation.
✅ Creates a relaxing, tropical vibe, which helps reduce stress and anxiety.
Best Placement: Keep it in the living room or bedroom to maintain fresh air and a balanced humidity level.
Care Tips: This plant loves bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light. Water is needed when soil feels dry (so water them about once a week). You can wipe the leaves occasionally to remove dust so it can breathe better!
2. Spider Plant: The Easiest Air Purifier
Why You’ll Love It: If you don' have a green thumb like me, or you'’re new to plant parenting, the Spider plant is your best friend! It’s one of the easiest plants to care for and is safe for pets and kids.
Health Benefits:
✅ Removes carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and toxins from the air.
✅ Increases oxygen levels, making your home feel fresher.
✅ Boosts mood and reduces stress, perfect for busy moms, like me.
Best Placement: Keep it in the kitchen or home office to improve air quality while you cook or work.
Care Tips: This plant thrives in indirect sunlight. So be careful not to place it where too much sun can scorch the leaves. You may water once a week but it can also survive if you forget it sometimes! And when it produces little baby plants, you can replant them or give as gift to family or friends! Nice, right?
Peace Lily: The Elegant Air Cleaner
Why You’ll Love It: The Peace Lily I must say, is one of those beautiful and effective air-purifying plants. With its dark green leaves and white flowers, it's one of my favorite here at home.
Health Benefits:
✅ Removes mold spores in the air, helping prevent allergies.
✅ Eliminates harmful toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and ammonia.
✅ Absorbs excess moisture, making it perfect for bathrooms.
Best Placement: Keep it in the bathroom, bedroom or in low-light places in your home.
Care Tips: This plant thrives better in low to medium light so it's great for those of you who have homes with limited sunlight. You may water this once a week, but if it droops, just give it another drink! Puedeng puede po! But a small warning for your pets and small kids, keep them away because they can be toxic if ingested.
4. Snake Plant: The Ultimate Low-Maintenance Air Purifier
Why You’ll Love It: The Snake Plant (a.k.a. Mother-in-Law’s Tongue) is practically indestructible! This plant thrives and I love it! It’s one of the best plants for filtering toxins and it releases oxygen at night, making it ideal for bedrooms.
Health Benefits:
✅ Filters out harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene.
✅ Improves sleep by producing oxygen at night.
✅ Absorbs carbon dioxide even in low light, keeping the air in your room fresh.
Best Placement: Keep it in the bedroom or hallway for cleaner air while you sleep.
Care Tips: They thrive in low light and require very little water (only every 2-3 weeks) so low-maintenance po talaga (really low maintenance). And because it prefers dry soil, do not overwater them... so for those who do not have much time to care for a plant, this is great for you!
5. Aloe Vera: The Healing Plant
Why You’ll Love It: Aloe Vera is more than just a skincare hero, as most of us know.. it also is a powerful air-purifier! Plus, it’s easy to grow and has so many uses for moms and families.
Health Benefits:
✅ Removes toxins like formaldehyde and benzene.
✅ Purifies the air while doubling as a home remedy (great for burns and minor wounds!).
✅ Increases oxygen levels and promotes relaxation.
Best Placement: Keep it in the kitchen or near a sunny window for easy access when needed.
Care Tips: This succulent plant loves bright, indirect sunlight. We have ours by our window with direct sunlight. We water them only when it's starting to dry (which is around once every 2 weeks). You may use its leaves for minor burns, dry skin and some even use it as hair masks.
How These Plants Benefit Your Family’s Health & Well-Being
Having air-purifying plants at home is more than just a trendy aesthetic choice. They can truly improve our family's health. As study after study shows that these plants filter harmful toxins from common household items, it's only to our household's advantage to have them. Besides, at least for me, the presence of plants at home improve my overall mood, especially when I see ours healthy and blooming at home!
Where to Get These Plants in Europe
Wondering where to buy these plants if you live here THE NETHERLANDS? Here are some great options:
Check out your local garden centers like Intratuin and Hornbach.
IKEA often carry affordable indoor plants.
Online Shops like Bol.com or Amazon.com
My final thoughts: A Greener, Healthier Home Starts with Small Changes
Adding just one or two of these plants to your home can make a big difference! I started with just a couple of mini succulents. And then you can keep adding some more later on. Whether you’re a busy mom looking for low-maintenance greenery or an expat wanting to bring a piece of nature indoors, these air-purifying plants are a perfect choice.
Which plant are you most excited to add to your home? Are you ready to go shopping?! I'd love to share with you my experience when I purchased a number of air-purifying plants myself. You can watch this video here.
And if you found this helpful, don’t forget to share this with other moms who might love a greener, healthier home. 💚
Sources: house beautiful.com and Everest.co.uk
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