Plants have long been hailed for many merits, but one of their lesser-known virtues is the ability to clean the air in our homes by removing toxins -- a fact that NASA scientists discovered about 25 years ago. Mobee Weinstein, of New York Botanical Garden, shared her favorite air-purifying houseplants, all of which are easy to grow and widely available, and can serve as inexpensive low-tech solutions to costly air filters. In addition to the following, Mobee points out that aloe plants, orchids, tulips, azaleas, cyclamen, and gerbera daisies are also good options.
A member of the Araceae family, this easy-to-grow, insect-resistant vine bears green heart-shaped leaves with gold or cream highlights. Commonly cultivated in hanging baskets or trained to climb, it grows quickly, tolerates most environments, and doesn't lose its color when placed in dark settings.
This member of the Agavaceae family produces green leaves with white stripes that measure about 2 feet long and 2 inches wide. The plant can grow to 10 feet tall, is tolerant of low light and dry air, and is especially effective in removing benzene.
Produces beautiful white spathes that unfold to reveal its flowers, peace lily blooms reliably indoors and is effective in removing alcohols, acetone, trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde.
The first plant proven to remove indoor air pollutants, this member of the Liliaceae family is the most common form of spider plant. It bears green leaves with a broad cream or yellow stripe down their centers, as well as small white flowers that bloom year-round.
With its silvery, light-green, lance-shaped leaves, this slow-growing Araceae family member has the ability to increase its toxin-removal rate with exposure. Also extremely tolerant of low light conditions (but not temperatures below 55 degrees), it blooms in late summer and early fall and can reach heights of 3 feet.
Original article and pictures take www.marthastewart.com site
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий