Grow Fresh Air

Indoor air pollution is now considered by experts to be one of the major threats to human health. As we made attempts to make our buildings more energy efficient, we created the "sick building syndrome".

Numerous studies, some by NASA looking at life support systems for moon bases, have shown the advantages of houseplants in improving indoor air quality. House plants can remove chemical vapors and improve humidity levels (transpiration).

The following list of houseplants is ordered based on their overall ability to remove chemical vapors, how easy they are to grow, resistance to pests and humidification.

 

Areca Palm .... semi-sun .... loam soil

Lady Palm .... semi-sun .... hydroculture or subirrigation

Bamboo Palm .... semi-sun .... all purpose soil

Rubber Plant .... semi-sun to semi-shade .... all purpose soil

Janel Craig .... semi-shade .... all purpose soil

English Ivy .... semi-sun to semi-shade .... all purpose soil

Dwarf Date Palm .... semi-sun .... all purpose soil

Ficus Alii .... full-sun to semi-sun .... standard soil - don't over water

Boston Fern .... semi-sun .... humus rich potting material

Peace Lily .... semi-sun to semi-shade .... any type of soil but best in hydroculture

Corn Plant .... semi-shade .... standard potting soil

Golden Pothos .... semi-shade to shade .... standard soil

Kimberly Queen .... semi-sun to semi-shade .... humus rich material

Florist's Mum .... full sun to semi-sun .... standard soil

Gerbera Daisy .... full sun to semi-sun .... standard soil

Dracaena Warneckei .... semi-shade .... standard soil

 

 

Dragon Tree .... semi-shade .... standard soil

Red Emerald Philodendron .... semi-shade to shade .... standard soil

Syngonium .... semi-sun to shade .... standard soil

Parlor Palm .... semi-sun to semi-shade .... standard soil

Weeping Fig .... full-sun to semi-sun .... hydroculture preferred. Soil optional.

Schefflera .... semi-shade .... hydroculture, soil optional

Wax Begonia .... full-sun to semi-sun .... loose potting soil, needs drainage

Lace Tree Philodendron .... semi-shade .... standard soil

Heart Leaf Philodendron .... semi-shade to shade .... standard soil

Snake Plant .... semi-sun to shade .... soil or hydroculture

Elephant Ear Philodendron .... semi-shade to shade .... standard soil

Norfolk Island Pine .... full-sun to semi-shade .... standard soil

King Of Hearts .... semi-shade to shade .... standard soil

Prayer Plant .... semi-sun to semi-shade .... standard soil

Dwarf Banana .... full-sun to semi-sun .... 50-50 mix of soil and peat moss

Christmas Cactus .... semi-sun .... mix of soil, leaf mold & perlite

Oakleaf Ivy .... semi-sun to semi-shade .... standard soil

Lily Turf .... semi-sun to semi-shade .... loose soil - needs drainage

Dendrobium Orchid .... semi-sun .... use orchid mix

Spider Plant .... semi-sun to semi-shade .... hydroculture or soil

Anthurium .... semi-sun .... mix of peat, moss & leaf mold

Croton .... full-sun to semi-shade .... standard soil

Poinsettia .... semi-shade .... standard soil

Dwarf Azalea .... semi-shade .... use azalea mix

Peacock Plant .... semi-shade .... standard soil

Aloe Vera .... full-sun to semi-sun .... standard soil