Month: April 2022

So which plants performed best?

Although every plant used in the study was able to remove at least two of the five VOC groups tested (benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene, ammonia), the following plants were proven to be effective in removing four or more: 

English ivy (Hedera Helix) 

English ivy is a highly versatile plant native to Europe, western Asia and northern Africa. It can be confined to a small pot indoors or grown on a much larger scale to coat the exterior of a building with trellis panels. English Ivy was able to remove all VOC groups tested apart from ammonia making it one of the top performing plants in the study. 

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)  

Originating from the tropical rainforests of Colombia and Venezuela, Peace Lily’s are known for their ability to fight harmful gasses like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. They are helped by their large leaf surface to break down and neutralize complex chemicals cleansing the air. When healthy, elegant white flowers should bloom above a bed of lush green foliage.  

Parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans) 

Parlour palms have been cultivated in the UK since the Victorian era when they were seen as a symbol of wealth and extravagance. The Parlour palm was one of just four plants from the study that was successful in removing all five VOC groups. 

Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa) 

The Lady palm was also able to remove all five VOC groups. It is a durable plant with a long lifespan under the correct conditions and does a great job of delivering a tropical look in a small space. 

Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii) 

Strong and robust, the snake plant makes for an ideal office plant. They release oxygen and add moisture to the air, which can alleviate the symptoms of occupational allergens found in an office environment. Of all the plants NASA used in the study, the snake plant had one of the best surface area to chemical removal ratios.  

Red edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata) 

Hailing from Madagascar, the Red-edged dracaena’s popularity in households soared as a result of its performance in NASA’s Clean Air study. Often referred to as a Dragon tree, its variegated leaves can add colour to any space.  

Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) 

Named for its resemblance to a corn stalk, this tall and narrow plant makes a great statement piece as a floor plant or when used to complement entrances and doorways. In addition to its air purifying qualities, it can also tolerate areas of low light and is often found in room corners or hallways.  

Janet Craig (Dracaena fragrans) 

Janet Craig has the potential to grow to over 15ft tall but is normally smaller in when grown and pruned indoors. It was able to remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene.  

Warneckii (Draecaena Deremensis) 

Warneckii plants are distinctive for their angled, sword-like leaves and can be used in any setting for dramatic effect. Warneckii was able to defend against four of the five VOC groups, scoring particularly highly on its ability to remove benzene.