Resource: A List of Plants that Help Fight Dust & Purify Air
Houseplants that Reduce Dust and Particulate Matter
1. Pygmy Date Palm
Botanical Name: Phoenix roebelenii
According to this study, this palm is quite potent in promoting a healing effect and purifying indoor air. Pygmy Date Palm is also very effective in absorbing formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, and styrene, which cause sickhouse syndrome.
The purification capability changes with light intensity and becomes more effective when the room temperature and humidity are both on the higher side.
2. Rubber Plant
Botanical Name: Ficus elastica
The sizeable waxy foliage of rubber plants absorbs indoor air pollutants efficiently. According to NASA Clean Air Study, some houseplants clear pollutants from the air, and rubber plant is one of them.
As the leaves of rubber plants are quite large and have a waxy, shiny surface, foliage is effective in trapping indoor dust particles and particulate matter. To make it more effective, you can mist the plant once a day as it will increase its efficiency in sticking dust particles to its foliage.
3. Ivy
Botanical Name: Ivy
All ivy varieties are efficient in removing dust – for instance, the most popular air-purifying plant, English ivy, not only looks great but also removes VOCs toluene, octane, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Grow ivy plants in a hanging planter to improve the air quality you breathe.
4. Spider Plant
Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum
Spider plants are highly effective in removing air pollutants! According to this National Wildlife Federation article, spider plants can clean more than 95 percent of toxic agents from the air.
It is most effective in removing carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, Xylene, and toluene. Spider plants can also absorb nitrogen dioxide effectively.
5. Peace Lily
Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum
According to this study, certain VOCs were captured from the indoor air of participants' households and then quantitatively analyzed for formaldehyde and BTEX at the analytical laboratory of the Medical College in Yonsei University.
Peace lily was successful in decreasing the indoor concentrations from 2.24 to 1.61 μg/m3 for benzene, from 62.02 to 19.27 μg/m3 for toluene, from 1.56 to 0.27 μg/m3 for ethylbenzene, and from 2.52 to 0.20 μg/ m3 for xylene in a controlled environment.
The plant can absorb mold spores and other air pollutants through its shiny foliage. Peace lilies are also quite potent in absorbing the harmful acetone vapors, exposure to which can cause slurred speech, headache, lack of coordination, lethargy, and low blood pressure.
Keep peace lily in large pots in the living room for a fantastic display.
6. ZZ Plant
Botanical Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia
This low-maintenance houseplant with dark green leaves helps in cleaning indoor air by absorbing harmful air pollutants from the surroundings. It is also effortless to maintain and looks great in small pots!
The tiny waxy and shiny leaves of the plant effectively trap airborne dust and particulate matter. Keep it in the bedroom and mist the foliage once a day to see the best results!
7. Pothos
Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
The shiny foliage of pothos is not just great for trapping dust, but it is also one of the most potent plants to absorb harmful VOCs and toxins from indoor air.
According to a clean air study by NASA, this plant eliminates pollutants such as benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and xylene from the air.
8. Dumb Cane
Botanical Name: Dieffenbachia
Dumb canes look stunning with their large and variegated foliage that also helps to absorb VOCs like acetone, benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene inside the home.
According to a recent study, indoor air can be as polluted as outdoor air and cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and allergies. Growing dieffenbachia indoors is an excellent option to trap dust.
