When the air outside in Delhi gets really bad, like a thick fog of yucky stuff, our homes can be like safe havens. But what if even our homes need a little help? We usually close our windows and use air purifiers. But did you know that nature has its own special helpers? Some plants inside our houses can do a super job of cleaning the air! They become our best friends when the outside air is super unhealthy, especially for people living in Delhi when the air quality is bad. This guide will tell you about seven amazing plants that can make your home's air much cleaner when the air outside is toxic.
How Plants Help Clean Our Air
The idea that plants can clean our air isn't just a pretty thought; it's real! Plants breathe in yucky stuff from the air, like tiny invisible chemicals, through their leaves and roots. When you have a bunch of these plants together, they work even better, like a team of superheroes cleaning your home's air. If you're dealing with bad air quality in Delhi, understanding how plants work together is super important to get the most out of them.
One big problem when the air is bad is tiny dust particles, called PM2.5. Plants aren't like a special filter that grabs all these tiny particles like a vacuum cleaner, but some studies show they might help a little. Scientists are still figuring out if plants can catch these tiny particles on their leaves. But they can still be a nice addition to help fight off the stuff that makes us feel yucky.
The Top 7 Plants to Help You Breathe Easier When the Air Is Bad
Here are seven strong plants that can help make your home's air healthier when the air outside is really bad:
1. The Easy-Going Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
The Rubber Plant is a tough and friendly plant that's great at soaking up things like formaldehyde, which can be in our homes. Its big, shiny leaves can catch dust floating in the air. If you need a quick way to clean the air, the Rubber Plant is a great choice.
2. The Lovely Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis')
The Boston Fern, with its pretty, feathery leaves, is a champion at getting rid of formaldehyde and xylene. It loves damp places, so it's perfect for bathrooms or kitchens, but it can live in other spots if you keep it a little moist. It's especially good at fighting formaldehyde, making the Boston Fern a plant you'll want.
3. The Handy Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
Besides the soothing gel it has inside, Aloe Vera is also a really good air cleaner. It's extra good at getting rid of formaldehyde and benzene, which are two common yucky chemicals. Plus, it gives out oxygen while we sleep, which is great for our bedroom. Aloe Vera is like a two-in-one wonder for your home's air!
4. The Beautiful Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
The Peace Lily looks so pretty with its white flowers and brings a calm feeling. It also works hard to clean the air! It's great at filtering out many common yucky things like ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.
5. The Strong Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
The Snake Plant, also called Mother-in-Law's Tongue, is super strong and doesn't need much looking after. It's really good at cleaning up formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and trichloroethylene. A special thing about the Snake Plant is that it can change the air we breathe out (carbon dioxide) into oxygen while we sleep, making it a perfect plant for your bedroom.
6. The Cute Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider Plants are easy to grow and make more baby plants, which is why they're so popular. They're especially good at getting rid of formaldehyde and xylene from the air inside your house. When the plant gets bigger and has more leaves, it cleans the air even better, like a super-powered team.
7. The Nice Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
The Areca Palm is not only a pretty decoration but also a powerful air cleaner. It helps add a little bit of moisture to the air and filters out yucky things like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. It's also known for giving out lots of oxygen.
Making Your Plant Air Cleaners Work Their Best
Knowing which plants are good is only part of the story. Knowing where to put them in your home and how many you need in each room can make them work even better.
The Best Spots for Your Air Cleaning Plants
For a small apartment, think about putting your plants in places where air can move around, but not where there's a strong wind blowing directly on them. Living rooms, bedrooms, and study rooms are all good spots. Putting plants close together can help them create a little environment that makes them clean the air even better. For example, a group of plants in a corner of your living room can become a powerful air-cleaning zone.
How Many Plants Do You Need in a Room?
There's no exact rule, but a good starting point is one medium-sized plant for every space that's as big as a big rug in your living room. If the air outside is really bad, or when Delhi's air quality is extremely poor, you might want to add more plants. Having more plants together, placed smartly, will help a lot more.
Taking Care of Your Green Friends When the Air is Bad
When the air outside is yucky, it's important to take care of your plants a little differently. Here are a few tips for looking after your plants when the outdoor air is toxic:
a. Watering and Humidity
When we keep our windows closed a lot because of bad air, the air inside can get dry. Most air-cleaning plants like it a bit damp. You can spray their leaves with water or put them near a machine that makes the air more humid. Make sure water can drain out of the pot so the roots don't get too wet and rot.
b. Cleaning Your Plant's Leaves
Dust can get on your plants' leaves and make it harder for them to clean the air and get sunlight. Gently wipe the leaves with a damp cloth every now and then. This simple thing you do for your plants when there's pollution can make them work much better.
c. Light Needs
These plants are usually pretty tough, but make sure they get the right amount of light they need. Plants need enough light to make their food and do their important job of cleaning the air.
By bringing these seven plants into your home and taking good care of them, you can create a cleaner and healthier place to breathe, even when the air outside is a big worry. They're not just pretty things to look at; they're active helpers in making your home a better place.
