Top houseplants perfect for bamboo planters
Houseplants as a Natural Air Purification System
We all want our homes to be more energy efficient, but when we install double-glazing and insulation we make our buildings more air-tight. This can lead to poor air quality.
Sure, we can open a window, turn on a bathroom fan and try to improve ventilation. This will help considerably. But another simple step to improve your indoor air quality is to introduce some carefully selected houseplants.
We’ve chosen our top 7 NASA approved houseplants for air cleaning. They are compact enough to be planted into a variety of bamboo pots, hanging baskets or planters.
1. Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum “Mauna Loa” or other variety
The Peace Lily is probably one of the prettiest air cleansers and requires a bright spot, out of direct sunlight. Its tropical origin means it does enjoy misting from time-to-time. They like containers which aren’t too much larger than their root balls, making them perfect for potting into a piece of giant bamboo.
2. Green Spider Plant
Chlorophytum elatum
In the past you might have seen this classic houseplant at your grandparents house, usually with a trail of baby plants hanging off in various directions. This prolific variegated plant performs brilliantly as an air purifier and has become fashionable once again. Easy to look after, this trailing plant is ideal to pot up into a hanging basket.
3. Heart Leaf Philodendron
Philodendron oxycardium
This type of Philodendron makes as ideal office plant as it can grow well even under fluorescent light. It is happy enough in a smaller pot and this also helps to prevent overwatering. Keep out of direct sunlight.
4. English Ivy
Hedera helix
Ivy will keep the air clean when grown indoors. Its trailing habit and hardy nature, means it works well in most rooms in the house, just don’t let it sit in water. A great companion plant for larger displays, or on its own in a bamboo pot.
5. Aloe Vera
One of the smaller indoor varieties of Aloe Vera plant will clean the air to a lesser extent than some of the others NASA tested. As this spikey plant is easy to grow in small pots and has a strong shape, it is worth keeping using as part of a feature display with other pots.
6. Marginata ‘Dragon Tree’
Dracaena marginata
This striking, upright houseplant would be a welcome addition to a hallway, living room or dining area as long as the temperature keeps above 10°c. A slow growing, tree-like plant, which needs very little attention.
7. Bamboo Palm
Chamaedorea seifrizii
This houseplant was one of the best performing air purifiers for removing toxins in NASA’s tests. With its spear-shaped leaves this is both a highly attractive and relatively compact palm. It prefers to be kept reasonably warm, not below 18°c which makes this an ideal candidate for your living room or warmer parts of the home.
