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GARDEN (/GARDEN): HOUSEPLANTS (/TAGS/HOUSEPLANTS)

7 Plants That Can Actually Purify YourIndoor AirThese household plants are all NASA scientist-approved for helping clear airbornetoxins.by Emily Main (/author/emily-main) November 21, 2017

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There are a wide variety of toxic chemicals lurking in yourhome, and while you can take steps to minimize them, onethe most prevalent chemicals in your home isn't easy toget rid of. Formaldehyde, a volatile organic compoundthat's emitted in low levels by a variety of householdbuilding products and furniture, may cause cancer inhumans and has been known to trigger asthma attacks andallergic reactions when present in high levels.

A common component of glues that hold pressed-wood orparticleboard furniture and cabinets together, it's alsoemitted by natural gas stoves, carpet glues, �ooring glues,caulks, sealants, paints, furniture �nishes, and the water-

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and stain-repellent �nishes applied to upholstery andclothing.

Related: 7 Home Improvement Products To Avoid At AllCosts (https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/home/7-home-

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Although government regulations have reduced theamount of formaldehyde used in insulation andparticleboard furniture, the sheer number of potentialformaldehyde emitters found in the average home makesthe chemical di�cult to avoid.

The good news: you have a cheap, easy, green tool at yourdisposal to help get rid of it.

(Brag your love of gardening with the Organic Life 2018Wall Calendar(https://secure.rodalesorganiclife.com/o�er/601809?

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=textlink&rdl_campaign=indoorairpuri�ers&rdl_content=124230&

rdl_term=home), featuring gorgeous photographs, cookingtips and recipes, plus how to eat more—and waste less—ofwhat's in season.)

Add these seven household plants that NASA scientistshave discovered help remove formaldehyde and purify airto your home for a safer, cleaner atmosphere.

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Boston Ferns remove more formaldehyde than anyother plant. They're also highly e�cient at removingother indoor air pollutants, such as benzene and xylene—components of gasoline exhaust that can migrateindoors if you have an attached garage. The downsideto these plants is that they can be �nicky. You need tofeed them weekly in seasons when they're growing,monthly during the winter, and they like to be watered

1 Boston Fern

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regularly. Depending on the humidity and moisturelevels in your home, you may need to water them ormist their leaves daily. 

Related: 10 Ways To Protect Your Pets FromHousehold Toxins(http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/home/10-ways-protect-your-

pets-household-toxins)

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Palm trees seem particularly good at removing indoorair pollutants, speci�cally formaldehyde, and they'rerelatively easy to care for. The best at formaldehyderemoval is the Dwarf Date Palm, which is closest inappearance to the palm trees that remind you ofwarmer climates, but you'll also get clean air with aBamboo Palm, Areca Palm, Lady Palm, or Parlor Palm.Palm trees like cooler temperatures, preferably in the60 to 75°F range.

Here are 5 houseplants that can thrive, even in darkrooms!

2 Palm Trees

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If you've got a dim o�ce that's just screaming forcleaner air and a little touch of nature, try a rubberplant or Janet Craig. Both will tolerate very little sun—although they may grow more slowly—and are at thetop of the list for formaldehyde removers, which isparticularly important in o�ces where most furnitureis made from particleboard held together byformaldehyde-based glues. Janet Craigs will toleratemore abuse and neglect than rubber trees, but rubbertrees are a little more aesthetically pleasing. 

Related: The Cleaning Ingredient That's PollutingYour Air (http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/home/scented-

cleaning-products-can-pollute-your-air)

3 Rubber Plants and Janet Craigs

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Grown outdoors, English Ivy is an invasive species thatcan damage your home's exterior and tear o� yourgutters, but bring it inside, and it becomes an e�ectiveformaldehyde remover. Thanks to its ability to climbstructures, it's easy to grow as topiary and use as adecorative element in your living spaces. English Ivylikes part sun and part shade, so it's a good plant to tryindoors and isn't as temperamental as Boston Ferns.Occasional watering and misting during the winter willkeep it healthy.

Related: I Replaced My Roommate With 670Houseplants—It's The Best Decision I've Made(https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/home/my-jungle-apartment)

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One of the few houseplants that will bloom indoors, thePeace Lily with its seashell-shaped spathes really willbring a touch of summer into a dreary winter. One ofthe best plants for removing formaldehyde, it alsoremoves benzene and certain VOCs that are emitted byharsh cleaning products—making it another good

4 English Ivy

5 Peace Lily

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o�ce plant if your maintenance sta� doesn't use greencleaners. It also prefers low-light conditions and has ahigh transpiration rate that will humidify your air. Justbe aware that the leaves can be poisonous to pets andchildren.

Related: 10 Houseplants You Hardly Ever Have ToWater (http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/10-

houseplants-you-hardly-ever-have-to-water)

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Though not high on the list of formaldehyde removers,this plant is a tough one to kill. It tolerates a lot ofneglect, is forgiving when over-watered, is relativelye�ective at removing many air pollutants, and it agreat starter houseplant for people without muchindoor-gardening experience. Golden Pothos are oftenmistakenly sold as philodendrons, which are relatedplants that are equally good at removing formaldehydeand are almost as forgiving to newbiw houseplanttenders.

6 Golden Pothos

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Florists' Mum and Gerbera Daisies are the best atremoving formaldehyde, with tulips not far behind.However, nothing worth having comes easy as these�owering plants require more careful watering andfeeing and prefer cool temperatures below 65°. Ifyou're a really dedicated gardener, you can try rootinga new azalea plant in a container garden(http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/container-gardening-

101) outside this season and move it indoors in theautumn, because azaleas can be bred to �ower allwinter, are great at removing formaldehyde, and don'thave to be tossed out when their �owers fall o�. 

7 Flowering Air Purifiers

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