Indoor air quality is at an all time low as we bring more and more pollutants into the home that can emit harmful fumes into the air. With our winterized homes that are sealed tight to ensure we remain cool or warm at the appointed seasons, we have effectively trapped ourselves into this vacuum of stale air. Experts have even estimated that our indoor air quality is 5 times dirtier than outdoor air, which is a pretty dramatic statement when we consider all the pollution from cars, planes, farm chemicals and factories that pour into the air throughout the day!

While there are many effective systems that attempt to purify the indoor air by replicating the natural lightning process that cleanses the great outdoors, many of these systems are pricey and only cleanse a limited space, rendering them completely unpractical.
Yet, there is another option for clearing the air inside our homes. This one also began in the outdoors and is responsible for cleaning the air in much larger spaces. It is much more attractive than the large bulky machines and highly effective. The solution? The humble houseplant! Research shows us that plants (some more than others) can actually clean the air, removing harmful fumes and toxins from the air, and replacing them with clean, fresh air!

While housewives throughout history have always known an abundance of plants in the home can lead to health and a cleaner environment, modern research has backed their claims 100%. Plants can remove common chemical pollutants such as formaldehyde, ammonia, tolune, and xylene.

Palms and ferns consistently ranked the highest at eliminating these compounds, but many other plants, including pretty flowering ones such as daisys and mums also fared rather well. For best results, a well kept plant in every room not only saves on the decorating task, but actually produces a cleaner home. What more could the modern mom ask for?