A common household plant that removes dust and toxins from the air could help to keep your home mould and toxin free, according to experts at NASA. As well as being practical, the plant also looks beautiful, and is incredibly easy to upkeep.
The eye-catching plant, which thrives in bathrooms and bedrooms and helps to improve the air quality by removing dust and toxins from the air, was named by NASA in a study to find which plants are best at air purification. Dr. B. C. Wolverton led the study in 1989 for NASA and the results showed some plants can help to purify the surrounding air.
There are a number of toxins found in the air in small amounts that can cause a range of symptoms. They include Trichloroethylene, which is found in paint stripper and varnishes, formaldehyde found in synthetic fabrics, Benzene found in plastics and tobacco smoke, Xylene found in rubber and leather, and ammonia found in window cleaner and fertilizers.
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The Peace Lily can survive on a small amount of sunlight and actually helps to 'purify' the air in your home, according to experts at NASA. It can also be placed in a bathroom or humid area to prevent mould thanks to its filtering qualities.
Peace Lillies, on sale at flower sellers in the UK, are one of the only plants tested by NASA that remove small amounts of all five toxic agents from the surrounding area, making it one of the best 'air purifying' plants you can buy.
Usually found on the floor of humid rain forests, they are also perfect for bathrooms where it may be humid. The Peace Lily takes in moisture from the air through its leaves and doesn’t need direct sunlight to thrive, meaning it is useful in battling mould spores in humid rooms.
Mould in the home can happen when there is excess moisture, with warm rooms like bathrooms at particular risk of the issue. It's also common around glass windows and doors during the colder months.
The plants, which are called Peace Lillies because they symbolise health and tranquillity, is described by FlowersBX as having 'delicate white flowers which contract beautifully with its glossy leaves'.
Other plants that help to keep homes toxin-free include the Areca Palm, which has air filtering qualities. Sometimes known as the ‘Butterfly palm’, it is one of the most popular indoor plants due to its high effectiveness at filtering and cleaning the air in any given environment.
You can buy Peace Lillies here.
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