According to Feng Shui, we should bring nature into our environments. With healthy vegetation, we bring good vibes to ourselves and the environment. Plants act as a natural filter of negative energies.

In addition to their aesthetic and decorative appearance, plants are also an effective way to improve indoor air quality. Indoor air pollution is a constant problem and a threat to human health. It can cause problems such as allergies, headaches, asthma, throat, nose and eye irritations, and even more serious diseases such as lung cancer.

Since we spend most of our time indoors, understanding and mitigating air pollution becomes extremely important for our homes. Plants have many benefits, some are known for their cleaning properties, absorbing harmful particles circulating in the air.

Houseplants can defend themselves against the potentially harmful effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), one of the main categories of air pollutants. Researchers have found that certain plants are better at removing specific compounds from the air – this is especially significant for indoor air, as studies have shown that it can have three to five times more pollutants than outdoor air.

VOCs include things such as acetone, benzene, and formaldehyde, which are given off as gases and can cause both short-term and long-term health effects. They are invisible to the eye and come from ordinary things many of us have around the house, things as innocent as furniture, copiers and printers, cleaning supplies, and even dry-cleaned clothes.

Research conducted by NASA shows a number of studies that determine whether certain plants are good at cleaning indoor environments from toxins and air pollution. This research shows that healthy, green and/or flowering plants can remove toxins from indoor air. It detected that some vegetation can remove harmful gases from the air through photosynthesis. Since soil absorbs some pollutants, NASA researchers concluded that around 15 to 20 plants are able to clean and freshen the air of a 180 square meter area. The plants they recommend are readily available as well as easy to maintain.

Plants that clean the air have a greater capacity to absorb polluting gases from the atmosphere.Certain plants become more effective as air purifyers, such as tall trees and/or wide canopy trees. The tree top receives more sunlight and therefore photosynthesizes more. In addition, it retains more carbon dioxide. Research indicates that the canopy has higher pollutant retention, especially that of large trees.

There are plant species that have a greater capacity to absorb harmful substances from the air due to their accelerated metabolism and their high resistance to toxic substances. Therefore, it is highly recommended to have them at home, especially if you live in a place with more pollution, such as places close to industrial zones or some big cities.

NASA developed a lot of research and released a list of plants that have a great ability to clean an environment. These are greeneries that increase the positive energy of a place and absorb toxins, promoting a healthy environment. NASA reports that many of these species help fight pollution inside homes and offices (against cigarettes, detergents, varnishes, glues, and paints).

Therefore, with these benefits, everyone should keep indoor plants. If you do not have them yet, do the math and determine how many pots you need to keep your space fresh and clean.

Here is a list of 18 of the top plants that purify the air indicated by NASA:

Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen), Anthurium, Areca Palm, Bromeliad, Calathea, Chlorophytum (Spider Plant), Chrysanthemum, Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane), Dracaena (Dragon Tree), Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig), Ficus elastica (Rubber Tree), Gerbera Daisy, Jade Plant, Philodendron, Raphis excelsa (Lady Palm), Sansevieria trifasciata (Snake Plant), Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily), Zamioculca (ZZ plant).

Always try to have natural plants, take care of the maintenance so they are healthy and beautiful, and keep an eye out for wilted or dry leaves. Lovingly care for your plants so that they bring Chi energy to you and your environment!