The faculties of cleaning indoor plants have been known since 1989. Bill Wolverton, a NASA engineer, was the first to study the ability of several chemical compounds to be absorbed by plants. Some fifty of the most common indoor plants were tested. His research on phyto-purification will be repeated throughout the world and in depth. They have helped to establish the concept of indoor air quality.
Today, it is proven that some building materials and cleaning products poison our lives. Literally! Adhesives, paints, laminated wood furniture, inks, household products, stoves or cigarette fumes are all pollutants. These sources are volatile chemicals that affect people’s health. Headaches, chronic fatigue, allergies…
In addition to the fact that green plants, thanks to their soothing colour, reduce stress, they humidify the air, release oxygen and absorb pollutants. So, don’t deprive yourself of these real magicians!
The pollutants are hiding everywhere!
Odourless and colourless, most pollutants, except ammonia and cigarette smoke, remain difficult to detect… Walk around your interior, they are there…
Ammonia is related to household and DIY products.
Benzene emissions come from inks, paints, plastics, detergents, cigarette fumes, DIY products or furniture.
Formaldehyde is the result of the release of chipboard, carpet glues, rock wool such as glass, furniture textiles, wallpaper, boilers and cigarette smoke.
Carbon monoxide is produced from fumes, from water heaters to gas combustion to cigarettes.
Toluene results from the presence of varnishes, glues, carpets, carpets, wood treatments, water-based products as well as soaps and lacquers.
Xylene and trichloroethylene are found in glues, varnishes, paints and degreasers.
Light: no direct sun
Temperature: 15 to 25°C
Light: sifted through
Temperature: 15 to 25°C
The most common fern in our homes! Less well classified than some green plants, it absorbs significant amounts of ammonia, formaldehyde and xylene. The plant slips into any light room.
Rubber is especially effective for absorbing formaldehyde. It pleases in all parts, without direct sun. Make room for this big-growing plant. Set it up in an entrance hall, a large living room…
Light: no direct sun
Temperature: 15 to 25°C
Light: no direct sun
Temperature: 15 to 25°C
Light: no direct sun
Temperature: 15 to 25°C
To take advantage of the excellent cleaning capacity of the dwarf palm, plant several feet in the same container; each plant is 1 m tall. Like the arena, it grows in undergrowth: it tolerates staying in a dark room.
This champion depollates 12 to 18 µg/h xylene and 10 to 20 µg/h toluene under good conditions: a temperature of 22 °C, with regular water sprays on the leaves. An adult subject is between 1.50 and 2.50 m tall.
The most common shrub in our homes! Less well classified than some green plants, it absorbs significant amounts of ammonia, formaldehyde and xylene. The plant slips into any light room.
Aerial part, root and tuber… the whole plant is depolluting. And how effective! Chlorophytum absorbs many pollutants including 3 to 10 µg/h formaldehyde and almost all carbon monoxide in 24 hours. And it supports all culture conditions.
This plant absorbs formaldehyde through the roots. Its imposing foliage also makes it effective in removing toluene and xylene. Depending on the varieties, dieffenbachia removes between 4 and 12 µg/h. Only flat, the juice of the leaves and stems contains a substance that can paralyze the tongue for a few hours.
Aglaonema absorbs 5 to 10 µg/h* of formaldehyde depending on its size. Like many green plants of tropical origin, it fears the direct sun. All organs (leaves, stems, roots) are depolluting.
What versatility! This species characterized by long and fine red-edged leaves eliminates the main pollutants of the house. Another interest of the margined dragon tree, it is very easy to cultivate, even in the mid-shade.
Most varieties have white striped leaves. They mainly absorb benzene, xylene and trichloroethylene. Only ‘Janeth Craig’ with dark green foliage also eliminates formaldehyde. Dragonflies are happy with dark rooms.
This species attacks many pollutants, particularly formaldehyde. It is efficient in a recently furnished kitchen made of wood chipboard. She enjoys light shade and bright light, but suffers in the direct sun.
According to Nasa, anthurium is the second most important source of ammonia pollution. A good reason to install it in the kitchen or bathroom where some cleaning products are found that release this pollutant.
Place the azalea in the kitchen or bathroom for its ability to absorb ammonia. Warning: if it appreciates humid atmospheres, the plant does not tolerate excess heat! That is, the azalea tolerates smoky places well.
It is the most effective type of depollution. It removes formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. Not very demanding, it tolerates dark rooms. It can only tolerate high brightness away from the direct sun.
Even young and small, this palm impresses with its ability to remove formaldehyde (25-30 µg/h) and xylene (15 µg/h). Preferably place it in a bright room, even in direct sunlight. And water it regularly.
The pothos, especially the one with variegated yellow foliage, in suspension or guarding, adapts to all corners of the house. Where it tracks many pollutants. Its action would be increased by the lightness of the substrate in which it grows.
Easy to grow, this plant is distinguished by its action to depollutize formaldehyde (10 µg/h) xylene and benzene. This property is only verified with healthy plants and installed in a light room.
Champion of all categories! No pollutant resists spatiphyllum! The leaves of large plants absorb 15 µg/h of formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, ammonia, benzene, trichloroethylene and also alcohol and acetone vapours. Who says it better?
Compared to the champions of depollution, Syngonium shows modest performances. However, thanks to its good capacity to absorb xylene, it is recommended to install it in plastic art workshops.