Written Written http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nas...I'll refer you to the article from 1989. It seems like it absorbs a significant amount of substance from the air. The results on that article start around page 10If you want functional decorations, look no further than the houseplant. Some well-placed greenery can not only brighten a space but also purify the air -- and they're also helpful in creating a more relaxing, restful ambiance in any room. We know that spending time in nature is linked to reduced stress levels and tension relief. What's more, in a 2008 study, Dutch researchers found that hospital patients with indoor plants in their rooms reported lower stress levels than patients without them. That's why we've rounded up 10 beautiful houseplants that are easy to take care of and effective at increasing oxygen and clearing out toxins for cleaner breathing air, some of which even have the NASA stamp of approval. Try adding one to your bedroom or office space for a little dose of zen.

What are your favorite decorative plants? Tell us in the comments below! The gel of the aloe plant has a number of healing properties. Not only does it soothe skin burns and cuts, it can also help to monitor the air quality in your home. The plant can help clear the air of pollutants found in chemical cleaning products, and when the amount of harmful chemicals in the air becomes excessive, the plants' leaves will display brown spots. Just an FYI: It grows best with lots of sun. NASA scientists listed the English ivy as the number one best air-filtering houseplant, as it is the most effective plant when it comes to absorbing formaldehyde. It's also incredibly easy to grow and adaptable -- try it as a hanging or a floor plant. Grow in moderate temperatures and medium sunlight. Rubber trees are good for cleaning the air and are one of the easiest plants to grow, as they thrive even in dim lighting and cooler climates. The low-maintenance plant is a powerful toxin eliminator and air purifier.

Snake plants don't need much light or water to survive, so they're an easy choice for any corner of your home. gt 3000 air purifier manualThe plant absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen during the night (while most plants do so during the day), so add one to your bedroom for a clean-air boost.air duct cleaning rosenberg tx The attractive bamboo palm also made NASA's list of top clean-air plants with a purifying score of 8.4. culligan air purification system replacement bulbsIt's also particularly effective at clearing out benzene and trichloroethylene. These need to be well-watered, in shade or indirect sunlight. The heart-shaped philodendron is a popular plant choice for indoor areas, as they're easy to care for and can grow decorative vines.

Like the English ivy, they are particularly good at absorbing xylene. They can also last for many years when properly cared for. Grow with moderate water and some sunlight and they'll be fine. One of the most common house plants, spider plants are decorative, easy to grow, and also make the NASA list of the best air-purifying plants. Spider plants are effective at fighting pollutants including benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene. This beautiful, vibrant plant can grow to be ceiling-height (15-foot dracaenas are common), making it a great plant for decorating and filling up space. It also removes toxins including xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from the air. Grows best in sunlight. Huffington Best House Plants Houseplants Ficus-tree Best Indoor PlantsYou’re concerned about air pollution, right? Did you know that the air inside your house is usually more toxic than the air outdoors? And I’m not just talking about the 10 minutes after your husband walks out of the bathroom.

Lots of volatile organic chemicals (VOC’s) float through the air of an average home. Stuff like formaldehyde (mmmm, remember that smell from when you dissected a fetal pig in high school biology?), benzene, toluene, acetone, ammonia, and xylene.  Where do VOC’s come from? Paint, caulk, carpeting, ceiling tiles, adhesives, varnish, fabrics, upholstery, dry cleaning, etc. All those wonderful synthetic products that make life livable. Unfortunately, they also make it die-able, as long-term exposure can cause a raft of health problems, including cancer. Grumpy is not in favor of cancer. Let me state that right now. So how do you rid your air of VOC’s, other than by leaving your windows open year-round (possible only in San Diego, I think)? Houseplants are nature’s air purifiers. In addition to absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, houseplants do a marvelous job of absorbing VOC’s and rendering them harmless. You don’t need to turn your home into a tropical rainforest either.

One or two nice houseplants in a typical 15′ x 15′ room will do the job. To learn more about this, Grumpy recently visited the folks at Costa Farms  near Miami, Florida. Costa is one of the biggest producers of foliage plants in the country. They supply the big box stores, so chances are if you buy a Boston fern or a peace lily, you’re buying one they grew. The fellow above is Mike Rimland, one of Costa’s expert growers. The table with plants is part of a presentation Mike gave to me and other garden bloggers about which houseplants are really good at removing certain chemicals. For example, peace lily (Spathiphyllum sp.) is great for removing formaldehyde and benzene. Snake plant (mother-in-law’s tongue) removes acetone. Boston fern removes formaldehyde and toluene. Mike calls them “living clean air machines.” A few years back, Costa Farms unveiled its O2 For You campaign. Its purpose is to educate people about how bad the air is inside the average house, office, and classroom and what a good job just a few houseplants can do to improve it.

In addition to purifying air, houseplants also humidify a room to comfortable levels for people. And rooms with houseplants show a considerable reduction in the number of airborne mold spores and bacteria. Peace lily (the big plant show up top) is one of the best at removing a wide range of pollutants and its tolerance of lower light levels make it great for indoors. Nearly every room in my house sports a peace lily, thanks to one of my wife’s old loser boyfriends, who insisted on sending her a new one every year, even after we were married. A lesser man would have chucked those peace lilies, but Grumpy granted them amnesty. Shout Out to Dr. Wolverton If you’d like more information about naturally purifying indoor air, Grumpy highly recommends How To Grow Fresh Air (Penguin Books). It’s written by Dr. B.C. Wolverton, whose research for NASA on ways to purify air for future moon bases revealed what great additions to the home houseplants are. Besides telling which plants remove which pollutants, it also supplies a wealth of easy information on how to grow many of the most popular houseplants.