Seven indoor plants you MUST buy now

Rajkumari Sharma Tankha

The deadly smog in the atmosphere in Delhi and NCR has everyone scurrying for air purifiers. While the sale of hi-tech equipment has gone up manifold, there are still many who cannot afford these. More worrisome is the fact that there are a wide variety of toxic chemicals lurking in your home unbeknown to you, and it’s time you take steps to minimize them.
And what if I told you that there is a very cheap way in which you can keep your home free of these chemicals, and the air inside clean and fresh.
I am talking about plants that purify air, yes, plants. These plants should be kept inside your bedrooms always, more importantly these days when the outside atmosphere is poisonous.
And those who pooh pooh the Indian sciences, take note that even NASA scientists have lauded these plants for their properties to clear airborne toxins.

Aloe Vera
This is a great plant to have. Each household should have it. It not just purifies the air, but is a storehouse of benefits. Its sap improves immunity, has anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties so is effective in treatment of burns, pimples, dental plaque, mouth ulcers, sores and much more. It is an effective anti-cancer agent too.

Palm Trees
Palm trees (Bamboo Palm, Areca Palm, Lady Palm, Parlor Palm) are good at removing indoor air pollutants, specifically formaldehyde, and they’re relatively easy to care for. Dwarf Date Palm is considered the best among these.

Rubber Plant
Rubber Plant is also a formaldehyde remover. It has large leaves that can absorb airborne chemicals and break them down making them harmless. It also absorbs exhaled carbon dioxide and converts it to breathable oxygen.

English Ivy
Though English Ivy can tear off the gutters when grown outside, bring it inside and it becomes an effective formaldehyde remover. It is known for removing the chemical benzene, a known carcinogen found in cigarette smoke, detergents, pesticides, and the off-gasing of other synthetic materials. It can greatly help asthma and allergy patients.

Peace Lily
Known for removing benzene, a common household chemical and known carcinogen. It also HELPS remove mold spores in the air, making it great for bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms; purifying the air of trichloroethylene, a chemical found in cleaners and solvents; and removing alcohols, acetone, and formaldehyde. Apart from purifying air, this plant also has a high transpiration rate that humidifies the air inside.
But keep away from its leaves, they are poisonous.

Weeping Fig/Ficus Tree
This plant is known to remove common airborne toxins and increase oxygen levels. Hence, it is a great overall air purifier.

Dragon tree/Dracaena
Known for purifying the air of the carcinogen benzene, commonly found in the off-gassing of synthetic materials, cigarette smoke and other household chemicals. It is also known to remove formaldahyde, xylene (found in varnishes, paints and paint thinners) and trichloroethylene (found in solvents) from the air.

Not just green leafy plants, but there are a number of flowering plants as well that purify air.  Chrysanthemums, Gerbera Daisies and Tulips are very good at removing formaldehyde. Tulips also absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen overnight which can improve your sleep. Chrysanthemum is also very effective at removing benzene, a carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) associated with most chemicals, plastics, cigarettes and off-gasing. Also removes trichloroethylene (found in solvents and cleaners), formaldehyde and ammonia.