Indoor plants can make a significant contribution to the "health" of an indoor environment: they help replenish oxygen in the air and help filter dust particles and pollution from the air.

In a study on indoor pollution conducted by NASA, it was proven that plants help to eliminate what is known as the ‘sick building syndrome’. 

Common sources of these pollutants are:

Carpets

Vinyl and rubber

Wood made from pressed particles

Office machinery e.g. photocopiers

Gases created by cooking and also cleaning products

Pesticides

People affected by the ‘sick building syndrome’ complain of headaches, eye irritation, skin rashes, drowsiness and other allergy-type conditions.

The elimination of these harmful pollutants from the work or home environment helps to reduce sickness.

It is also suggested that plants improve staff morale - in turn improving productivity and job satisfaction.

The following is a short list of plants suggested to reduce, remove or at least improve air quality in buildings:

Aloe vera, Anthurium spp., Auraucaria heterophylla - Norfolk Island pine, Begonia semperflorens -wax begonia, Calathea makoyana - Peacock plant, Chamaedoris erumpens- bamboo palm, Chamaedoria elegans - parlour palm, Chyrsalidocarpus lutescens -areca palm, Chrysanthemum spp. Codiaeum spp. croton, Cyclamen spp. Dendrobium spp. Dracaena marginata, Dieffenbachia - dumb cane, Ficus benjamina - weeping fig, Ficus elastica - rubber plant, Maranta leuconeura - Prayer plants, Sanservieria trifasciata - Mother-in-law’s tongue, Spathphyllum - Spider plant.

Learn how to grow indoor plants to improve the health of your home