Keep these plant at home to clean toxins from the air

You may be surprised to hear the air in your very own home can be causing you harm. It does not matter if your home is old or new or how often you clean. Chemical compounds found in everything from paint to carpet and from cleaning solutions to building materials can have negative effects on your health. 

Luckily, there are many house plants that act as powerful air purifiers. These plants are easy to care for and are available in most hardware stores and local greenhouses. You can buy the seeds and cultivate them on your own, or buy a potted plant that when properly cared for, may last for years to come. 

Healthline recommends planting 15 to 20 plants in pots that are a minimum of six inches wide. By grouping several plants together, you can maximize the air quality of your home and create a great, professional-looking interior. 

Aptly named, this beautiful flower will bring peace to any home. According to Healthline, the peace lily eliminates formaldehyde found in carpet and upholstery and benzene from plastic and synthetic fiber, as well as several other home-borne toxins. When placed in bright light, beautiful white flowers will grow. 

Bamboo is traditionally associated with flourishing rain forests and calming zen environments. It is also a powerful air purifier, known to clear the air of carbon monoxide and chloroform, according to Healthline. Bamboo is a palm that grows between three and an impressive six feet tall. 

Most well-known for its gel that soothes sunburns, aloe vera is an easy-to-grow succulent with the added benefit of cleaning formaldehyde and benzene from the air. According to the Mother Nature Network, aloe vera has been used for over 6,000 years. 

Ferns are vascular plants with beautiful branched leaves. One species in particular, the Boston fern, is particularly effective at purifying the air of formaldehyde, according to Rodale's Organic Life. Though they are more difficult than others to care for, the extra love will be worth the breath of extra-fresh air.

Mother Nature Network has named the Spider Plant among those most difficult to kill. It is also one of the most deadly against toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide. Despite its hardiness, this resilient house plant has beautiful cascading leaves and dainty white flowers you will love to look at. 

This stunning ficus with its braided trunk looks elegant in any home. Mother Nature Network explains this plant is best placed in the living room, where it can clean the air of pollutants secreted from your furniture and carpet. 

This delicate climbing plant looks great in hanging baskets and can be used to brighten even the darkest of rooms. English Ivy cleanses the air of such harsh chemicals as benzene and formaldehyde, according to Healthline.

Among the easiest house plants to care for are palm trees. While there are many varieties from which to choose, Rodale's Organic Life recommends the Dwarf date palm. Its palm fronds not only remove formaldehyde and other indoor air pollutants, but they will also remind you of breathing fresh air on the beach. 

Getting better quality air is simple. And it looks great. With so many options for eye-catching house plants, there is no reason not to pick up some today. 

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