TOXIC AIR PURIFYING HOUSEPLANTS
Toxic air purifying houseplants will do an excellent job of absorbing toxins from our indoor environment as long as they are kept out of reach of dogs, cats, and small children.
The list below gives a list of toxicity of each plant, the types of air pollutants they absorb, and a brief description of care. If you would like a list of non-toxic air purifying houseplants, please see our article on Air Purifying Houseplants.
PEACE LILY
(SPATHIPHYLLUM)
The Peace Lily is not a true Lily. If ingested by humans or animals it can cause painful symptoms and sometimes death. It can cause burning and swelling lips, mouth, and tongue, difficulty speaking or swallowing, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea in humans. For animals it can cause burning mouth, excessive salivation, diarrhea, dehydration, lack of appetite, and vomiting. If it is left untreated, Peace Lily poisoning could lead to renal failure.
The Peace Lily can remove all three of the most common VOCs — Formaldehyde, Benzene and Trichloroethylene. It can also combat Toluene and Xylene.
The Peace Lily should have bright light in the winter and diffused light in the summer. The soil should be moist but not soggy. The plant should be fed every 2 months.
SNAKE PLANT
(SANSEVIERIA TRIFASCIATA 'LAURENTII')
The Snake Plant is also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue and Hemp Plant. The toxicity level is low in humans but can produce symptoms such as mouth pain, salivation, and some nausea as well as possible dermatological problems (although it is mainly toxic if ingested). It can cause excessive salivation, pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in cats and dogs.
The Sanseveria is one of the best plants for filtering out Formaldehyde, which is common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissues, and personal care products.
It is a succulent plant that only needs dim daylight and not much watering. An occasional hour in the sun daily would be good for this plant.
These plants also absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen at night (the opposite of the process most plants follow). This slight oxygen boost may be beneficial to better sleep with these plants in your bedroom.
GOLDEN POTHOS
(SCINDAPSUS AURES)
Golden Pothos is a poisonous plant and should be kept away from small children and pets. Golden Pothos is considered to be only mildly harmful in small quantities, but can produce uncomfortable and sometimes serious side effects in animals and people. In humans, it can cause burning of the mouth, skin irritation, swelling of lips, tongue, and throat, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cats and dogs can suffer from drooling, choking, swelling of the mouth and tongue, difficulty breathing, and stomach upset. It could even possibly lead to renal failure and/or death.
Variations of the Golden Pothos, such as Devil's Ivy, Taro Vine, and Ivy Arum. are toxic to dogs and cats and can cause oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
The Golden Pothos is a powerful plant for removing impurities from the air, especially Formaldehyde. Since car exhaust is filled with Formaldehyde, it might make sense to use it in a garage.
This plant needs bright, indirect light and not too much water. It is easy to propagate from cuttings.
CHRYSANTHEMUM
(CHRYSANTHEIUM MORIFOLIUM)
The Chrysanthemum is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, incoordination, and dermatitis.
NOTE: When choosing a plant for indoors, make sure to choose a floral mum and not a garden variety, which does best when planted outdoors.
The colorful flowers of a mum can do a lot more than brighten a home office or living room. The blooms also help filter out Benzene, which is commonly found in glue, paint, plastics, and detergent.
The Chrysanthemum plant loves bright light. A spot near an open window with direct sunlight will encourage it to bloom.
HEART LEAF PHILODENDRON
(PHILODENDRON OXYCARDIUM)
This plant is also known as Horsehead Philodendron, Cordatum, Fiddle-Leaf, Panda Plant, Split Leaf Philodendron, Fruit Salad Plant, Red Emerald, Red Princess, and Saddle Leaf.
The Heart Leaf Philodendron is a climbing vine plant and is toxic to dogs and cats when eaten. It can cause oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
This plant is very efficient at removing all kinds of VOCs, and especially good at removing Formaldehyde from sources such as particleboard.
The Heart leaf philodendron is a very low-maintenance plant. It thrives with bright, indirect light and very little maintenance. It needs moist, well-drained soil.
Please continue reading here for more information and a more complete list of toxic air-purifying plants with photos.
