Air-purifying plants are valuable weapons to combat the rising level of air pollution. The best part about them is they're accessible and relatively cheaper. Thanks to these plants, creating a home environment free from toxins and pollutants won't be an intimidating and costly task anymore!
It is high time that we improve our air indoors by having what mother nature has granted us, air-purifying plants. And we got just what you need to get started. Below is a buying guide and our top 10 list of the best air-purifying indoor plants in the Philippines. You'll be breathing fresh and toxin-free air in no time!
Quick List - Top Air-Purifying Indoor Plants
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Table of Contents
While staying indoors lessens the risk of catching infectious diseases and viruses, we are not completely safe from toxic elements in the air. We may not be aware of it, but some household items like furnishings, carpets, upholstery, paint, and cleaning products emit volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, like formaldehyde.
VOCs increase indoor air pollution and worsen the air quality inside our homes. Luckily, there's a natural remedy to thatーair-purifying indoor plants! They reduce a significant amount of carbon dioxide and act as natural humidifiers. They also replace stale air that can lead to eye, nose, and throat irritations, especially in people with allergies.
Additionally, being around plants promotes a sense of well-being. The process of repotting, pruning, and watering is a great stress-buster for most people, which promotes better mental health. On top of it, it bolsters focus and responsibility since cultivating and growing a specific plant requires research and continuous nurturance
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Larger plants can provide better air purification than smaller ones, but several smaller plants can also be as effective. Identify the areas all over your house that need some foliage and take measurements. Once done, look through different species of air-purifying indoor plants that will fit in that space.
Also, consider the size of the pot. Get to know the amount of soil needed by a fully grown plant to determine the right size. To save space, you can have the plant over your worktable or hang it beside the window. Just make sure you have the right plant type for the location that you have in mind.
Air pollutants are everywhere, and our homes are not an exception. To counter this, choose a type of indoor plant that could help eliminate specific air toxins. Below are some of the frequent indoor polluters and where they come from so you have an idea of the right type of plant to purchase.
Taking time to research the plant that you wish to have is imperative before purchase. Five main factors are to be considered to promote plant healthーlight, temperature, soil, water, and humidity. Note that these will vary from species to species.
Make sure that everyone in your indoor ecosystem benefits from the air purification of indoor plants. Of course, this includes your fur babies! It is natural for a dog or a cat to be curious about a new addition to their environment, so oftentimes, they will try to nip or bite an indoor plant to have a taste and be familiar with it. However, take note that not all plants are pet friendly.
Many air-purifying indoor plants, such as Chinese Evergreens or Golden Pothos, are actually toxic to dogs. So if you need to detoxify the air and keep your adorable pets at the same time, choose a non-toxic indoor plant to keep your worries away.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Peace Lily Plant | ![]() | A Beautiful Flowering Plant for Any Indoor Space | |
2 | Chinese Evergreen | ![]() | The Best Indoor Plant for Beginners | |
3 | Bamboo Palm | ![]() | Non-Toxic Plant Variety for Households With Pets | |
4 | Dracaena Compacta | ![]() | The Corner-Piece Plant to Adorn Your House | |
5 | Spider Plant | ![]() | The Most Resilient Air Purifier Plant | |
6 | Aloe Vera Plant | ![]() | Oxygen Bomb Inside Your Home | |
7 | Golden Pothos | ![]() | Vine Plant Suitable for Newbie Plantitas and Plantitos | |
8 | Snake Plant | ![]() | A Medium-Sized Perennial Plant to Purify Your Home | |
9 | Boston Fern | ![]() | A Hardy Fern That Adapts to Any Condition | |
10 | Burgundy Rubber Plant | ![]() | Adds a Touch of Lush Color Inside Your Home |
Peace lilies are known to be an easy-to-care indoor plant. They can thrive in low-light spaces and can tolerate fluorescent lights. This flowering plant also likes constant temperature and at least once a week of watering. If you want a plant to liven up your office desk, this will be your new plant friend.
The plant is sensitive to chemicals, so an organic fertilizer is the best option. Potential problems are small pests, such as spider mites or aphids, which can be easily eliminated by wiping the leaves and spraying them with insecticidal soap. It is mildly toxic to humans and animals, so kids and pets are discouraged from being near it.
Even if you're a novice grower, you can never go wrong with a Chinese Evergreen. There are many varieties of this plant which also include variegated forms. A warm temperature with some humidity is the best condition; it can survive medium to low light circumstances or even indirect sunlight.
Its flowering stage resembles a peace lily's and happens around summertime. Caring for the plant involves moderate watering with sufficient draining and a routine check of leaves for spider mites, aphids, and scale. Note that Chinese Evergreens are toxic to dogs, cats, or horses but have a low effect on humans.
The Bamboo Palm is a decorative type of palm that can be grown both indoors or outdoors. It is native to South American forests but is now propagated all over the world. It loves some shade, lots of water, and low temperatures, making it a great plant for offices, malls, or homes.
Although you need to water it regularly, it cannot tolerate soggy soil. Otherwise, the roots will start to rot. Do not expose this plant to direct sunlight, or the leaves will start to scorch. Prune it regularly by removing yellow or dried fronds. Remember to repot the plant every three years as it grows steadily with confined roots.
Dracaena Compacta, also known as the Dracaena Janet Craig, is native to Southeast Africa. It has tighter foliage, hence the name, making it an excellent corner plant for your home. It requires regular shaping and pruning to keep its unique form. It is also highly sensitive to salt, minerals, and chlorine in tap water.
The dracaena could thrive in low light conditions and could tolerate high indoor lights. It grows at a slow pace, around four inches per year, and it doesn't require regular fertilizer feeding. Slow-growing plants like this take time to replace damaged leaves. It's best to be careful when pruning or cleaning the leaves once every month.
Considered one of the most adaptable houseplants, the Spider Plant is easy to grow and cultivate. It could grow under a wide range of conditions and doesn't have any issues other than browning tips. These plants love direct sunlight but could also flourish in semi-shady to indirect light.
Propagating it is not difficult since the plantlets can be simply put in a potting mix and let grow on their own. This plant is a hardy plant that won't die easilyーall it needs are ample water and food! And while known to be tough on pests, it may be susceptible to infestations, so it's better to mist the plant now and then to prevent this.
Primarily known for soothing relief for burns and minor cuts, the Aloe Vera plant is full of vitamins and natural anti-bacterial properties. Aside from its healing properties, it's also a good source of oxygen. It actively takes up high levels of carbon dioxide at night and releases oxygen when exposed to light again during the day.
The plant loves a lot of sunlight, so the best location would be your kitchen or bedroom window sill. Because of its succulent nature, it is easy to maintain and doesn't need plenty of water to survive. Not only it looks great over your kitchen counter, but it also sucks up harmful solvents in the air.
Want to have a healthy-looking trailing plant in your space but don’t have a green thumb? Then, the golden pothos may be a suitable plant for you! Optimal for both indoors and outdoors, this vine plant is very forgiving when it comes to watering and feeding. Plus, it would look good in your space with its heart-shaped leaves filled with yellow streaks.
This plant thrives in bright but indirect sunlight, so never expose it to intense direct light. Common problems could include wilting, overly yellow leaves, or blackening stems, but most of these issues can be resolved by following proper watering methods. As such, it is best to water it sparsely every one to two weeks.
Snake plant is an excellent choice to accent your indoor space with its elongated, thick leaves. It is very tolerant of neglect and can survive in various conditions and temperature levels. Most importantly, it's a worthy investment! Once you've bought a Snake plant, you may never have to purchase another since it propagates very easily.
It grows best in full direct sunlight in well-drained soils but is still receptive to partly shaded indoor settings. Regular watering is encouraged but never over-water because it causes the root to rot. The plant is generally disease-free and pest-resistant, yet in poor conditions, an occasional bug or spider mites would appear.
In native habitats, the Boston fern could grow as tall as seven feet in height. This type of fern is relatively tough and has a high tolerance for light and dry conditions than many other ferns. You can have it hanging and let the long fronds dangle on the sides to get a levitating effect or just place it on a window sill.
The plant loves moist and loamy soils with good drainage. Boston ferns are hardy plants that recover fast and are able to adjust to different climate conditions or watering schedules. They are not attractive to pests but when poorly watered there will be instances that a spider would take a nest on it.
The Burgundy rubber tree is a remarkable indoor plant characterized by its thick and glossy leaves with a tint that ranges from burgundy to almost black. It flourishes under bright filtered lights that a curtained window produces. Most owners put it beside the window to maintain its burgundy color.
When you have already achieved the right growth size that you want, you might need to start cutting the top off. Maintain the thickness of the foliage by pruning unwanted branches. Keep in mind that while this plant is strong and sturdy, it doesn't tolerate drastic changes. It is wise to identify where you need it to be before installing it.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Not all air-purifying plants indoors are safe for pets. Steer clear of plants that are toxic for them, like Chinese Evergreen, Pothos, and ZZ plant. Instead, choose a non-toxic one like a Bamboo palm to reap the benefits of the plant while keeping your pets safe.
Yes, you can safely put air-purifying indoor plants in your bedroom. They pose no threat and help maintain optimal oxygen and humidity, which can help you get a good night's rest.
Generally, the frequency of watering will depend on the plant you have and the weather condition. Note that air-purifying indoor plants' soil should be kept moist. As a rule of thumb, you can check the moisture in the soil by sticking your finger in it. If it feels dry, it's time to water it.
To repot your plants, follow these instructions by ProPlants:
There's an indoor plant suitable for any corner of your house or office. Whether it be a hanging plant, an office desk plant, or some succulents, you can find them all on the links provided below.
Author: Chafi Lacson
Re-editor: J Ausa
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: | Peace Lily Plant
No. 2: |Chinese Evergreen
No. 3: |Bamboo Palm
No. 4: |Dracaena Compacta
No. 5: |Spider Plant
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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