Top 10 Best Air-Purifying Indoor Plants in the Philippines 2021 ( Peace Lily, Chinese Evergreen, Snake Plant, and More )

Staying indoors is the best way to prevent anyone from catching the dreaded COVID-19 virus. But while indoors, are we invulnerable to other toxic elements in the air we breathe?

If you don't think your walls or the upholstery on your furniture do not emit gases, you better think again. These are just two of the various items inside the house that releases volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, like formaldehyde. Most of us spend their entire day indoors, so we are exposed to five times higher levels of VOC than being outdoors.

There are multiple causes of indoor air pollution, and we aren't even aware that some common household items worsen the air quality inside our homes. Furnishings, carpets, upholstery, paint, cleaning products, pesticides, bacteria, molds, and synthetic building materials are just examples of such. If you would add poor air ventilation, the risk of respiratory illness is much higher.

In completely eradicating air toxins, you will need to install a massive amount of plants on a 140 square meter space, about 680 pieces. But that would be ridiculous and improbable. All you need is just a few specific indoor plants with special qualities that could reduce VOCs inside a room. 

To begin with, purifying indoor plants can reduce a significant amount of carbon dioxide and act as a natural humidifier. They replace stale air that can lead to eyes, nose, and throat irritations, especially on people with allergies.

Generally, people feel good and have a sense of well-being around plants. This very beneficial, most applicable now that almost everyone is working at home or attending school online due to the pandemic.

The process of repotting, pruning, and watering is a great stress-buster for most people, thereby promoting better mental health. It also bolsters focus and responsibility. How to cultivate and grow a specific plant requires research and continuous nurture. You don't want these exquisite plants dying on you, right?

Jumping into the "plantita and plantito" bandwagon is not an easy as one, two, three. You don't just instantly decide that you will be a plant parent, go online, and purchase a pretty flowering Peace lily. Wait for it to arrive and try to figure it out after receiving it. Here is a guide to help you before getting yourself a gorgeous house plant.

Larger plants can provide better air purification than smaller ones, but several smaller plants can also be as effective. Identify the areas all over your house that need some foliage and take measurements. Choose the species of air-purifying indoor plants that will fit in that space. 

Also, consider the size of the pot. Get to know the amount of soil needed by a fully grown plant to determine the right size. Although most would love to have their plants over their worktables or just hanging beside the window, that's okay as long as you have the right plant type. 

Air pollutants continue to bombard us daily, and our homes are not an exception. Choose a type of indoor plant that could help in eliminating specific air toxins. Below are some of the frequent indoor polluters and where they come from so you have an idea of the right type of plant to purchase.

• Carbon monoxide - from tobacco smoke, gas appliances, or automobiles

• Formaldehyde - from tobacco smoke, textiles such as carpet and drapes, or building materials such as plywood and particle boards

• Benzene - from tobacco smoke, fumes from the garage, or unventilated heat from cooking oil

• Ammonia - from by-products of cleaning agents, animal wastes, fertilizers, or wood furnaces

• Xylene - released from paints, adhesives, permanent markers, or second-hand smoke

Taking time to research about the plant that you wish to have is imperative before purchase. It is better to know the best nurturing practices and the maintenance requirements beforehand, than doing it when you already have the plant.

In some cases, it might be too late. Five main factors are to be considered to promote plant health -- light, temperature, soil, water, and humidity.

A plant needs light to photosynthesize and create sugars for its functions. On most plants, four hours of direct sunlight is the best scenario but this may vary from species to species. That is why researching the plant will give you a headstart on its need.

In the Philippines, where there are only two seasons the whole year, dry and wet, an indoor plant won't be too stressed by the climate. If your room has a high temperature, the plant uses more sugar to try and keep itself cool instead of using it to grow. 

Also, hot temperatures could physically burn the plant, so don't put it near a stove or a heating appliance. Again, quick internet research about the plant could help.

The best type of soil should be able to provide minerals, oxygen, moisture, and stability to the roots. Some indoor plant species may require specific mixes or a combination of gravel and potting mediums. It is very vital to have the right type of soil or material where your plant will happily flourish.

Over-watering is one of the main killers of indoor plants. Getting the right watering amount can be tough, where trial and error comes into play. But with a bit of research and patience, you will be able to have it in no time. The water demand will depend on the species of plant, the potting material, plant size, humidity, light level, and temperature around it.

Too little water, the leaves will wilt and turn crispy. Too much water, oxygen levels at the roots will decrease and start to rot. To find out if a plant needs water, stick your finger into the soil. If it's dry, water it.

Humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air, and it is one of the factors that are harder to control. In an air-conditioned room, the air inside is very dry and has low humidity. 

Most indoor plants cannot survive long in this type of environment. Your research and knowledge of the indoor plant species will be a great help to understand which humidity level it likes.

Making sure that everyone in your own indoor ecosystem is living in harmony, including your house pets too. It is natural for a dog or a cat to be curious about a new addition to their environment, so oftentimes they will try to nip or bite an indoor plant to have a taste and be familiar with it. But not all plants are pet friendly.

Many air-purifying indoor plants are actually toxic to dogs such as Chinese Evergreens or a Golden Pothos. So if you need to detoxify the air and keep your adorable pets at the same time, choose a non-toxic indoor plant to keep your worries away.

In this section, we’ve rounded up the top plant options where you can choose from.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period.**

Below are step-by-step instructions by ProPlants on how to repot your indoor plants. Give your plants a shot at survival and a breath of new life with its new home. Happy gardening!

What you’ll need:

• New pot
• Potting mix
• Trowel
• Gloves
• Scissors / sharp knife

Instructions:

1. Choose a pot larger than the old one. The main reason for repotting is because the plant has begun to outgrow its current home. You will want to give the roots plenty of room so they can support the beautiful part of the plant you get to enjoy. Make sure the new pot is not only wider, but also deeper. We recommend giving the plant at least an extra inch, depending on size.
2. Cover the drainage with a porous material like a coffee filter. This prevents soil from falling out but still allows water to pass through.
3. Layer new soil in the pot. Before you place the new plant inside, add a base layer of soil so the roots have new space to grow. Add enough so that your plant has room without spilling over the top.
4. Water the plant. Before you repot it, water it thoroughly. This will help keep the plant healthy and keeps the rootball together.
5. Remove the plant from its old pot. Rather than pulling the plant out, turn it upside down while placing your hand over the top of the pot. Rotate the plant a few inches in both directions to loosen it up and allow it to fall out. You can use a knife to help separate the plant and the pot.
6. Prune the rootball and untangle old roots. Pruning older roots will help the plant flourish in its new pot. Remove roots that are growing out of the core rootball. Now that you only have the new, healthy roots to deal with, untangle them so they grow outward instead of internally.
7. Place the plant in its new pot. Make sure the plant is centered and upright then press it firmly into its new home and add soil. Once you have patted it down, water it to help settle the soil.
8. Add a decorative touch. Don’t forget to place your plant in a decorative basket of your choosing! Perfect for holidays, festivities or as a decorative touch for just about any space.

There's an indoor plant suitable for any corner of your house or office. Whether it be a hanging plant, an office desk plant, or some succulents, you can find them all on the links provided below.

Indoor air quality should not be taken for granted since most of us spend our time inside our homes because of the pandemic. It is high time that we improve our air indoors by having what mother nature has granted us, air-purifying plants. It is proven to be beneficial to our state of physical and mental well-being.

The best thing about it? It is way cheaper than any air filtration system.

Author: Chafi Lacson

Like and follow our Instagram and Facebook page for updates!