Can Houseplants Purify the Air in Your Home?

There are many reasons to own houseplants and flowers in San Francisco, CA and keep them in your home. They add a beautiful aesthetic to your space, smell nice and bring a fresh, natural vibe to your home. However, some people wonder if they can also purify the air. Read on to learn more about the benefits that houseplants have on the air and the overall environment in your home.

Purification benefits of houseplants

You may be surprised to learn that houseplants and flowers in San Francisco, CA offer more than just mood brightening and aesthetics to your home. They can actually improve the air quality in your space! Plans generally absorb gases through pores on the surface of their leaves, which facilitates photosynthesis. The bulk of the gases that they need are carbon dioxide molecules, which they convert into chemical energy combined with light energy to fuel growth. However, it’s not just carbon dioxide that they absorb. They take in many other gases, including many volatile organic compounds, such as benzene, which is found in plastics, fabrics, pesticides and cigarette smoke, as well as formaldehyde, which is found in cosmetics, dish detergent, fabric softener and carpet cleaner. Many of these volatile organic compounds as well as other indoor air pollutants are linked to negative health effects in humans, such as asthma, nausea, cancer and respiratory diseases.

The best plants for air purification

While all houseplants and flowers in San Francisco, CA absorb gases, some are better for purifying indoor air than others. This ability to remove harmful compounds from the air comes from a process called phytoremediation. This works when plants absorb harmful gases through their leaves and roots. The plants that are most adept at removing the kinds of pollutants that we find indoors in our homes are ferns (such as Japanese royal ferns and Boston ferns), spider plants, purple waffle plants, English ivy, golden pothos, areca palms, aloe vera, peace lilies and snake plants. In fact, microorganisms that live in the soil of these types of potted plants also help to neutralize volatile organic compounds, as well as other pollutants.

If you were looking for a reason to have more plants at home, just consider the role that phytoremediation plays in cleansing the air in your home, and the damages that these gases can otherwise lead to, including chronic and acute conditions and diseases. If you’re looking for the best place to find houseplants and flowers in San Francisco, CA, stop by The Delicate Daisy – House of Flowers. We have been serving customers in the city of San Francisco since 1939. We have a variety of flowers and gifts and have the perfect gift for any occasion, as well as all the vegetation you’re looking to keep in your own home. When you visit us, you’re choosing a locally owned establishment that cares about quality. We source our flowers locally and select new ones three times a week. Come visit us and stock up on plants for your home!

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