Picking out the best houseplants to boost your home's health

In addition to the right ventilation, you only need the right plants to clean your home's air and filter out possible airborne toxins and toxic gases. Almost all plants are powerful natural air cleaners. Plants take in airborne pollutants and replace it with oxygen.

There are three main pollutants that affect homes: trichloroethylene (TCE), formaldehyde, and benzene. These are gasses let off by solvents, smoking, insulation, paper products, varnishes, glues, and other items found all around the house. High concentrations of these gasses cause eye irritation, respiratory irritation, and other health issues.

You can naturally purify your home by simply adding the right plants. It is estimated that you can purify an interior space of 1800 square feet with 15 to 20 plants.

To filter benzene, plant Sansevieria aka Snake Plant, English Ivy, Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) and Gerbera Daisy. To handle formaldehyde, try plants like the Peace Lily, the Snake Plant, Chamaedorea sefritzii (Bamboo Palm) and Dracaena Marginata. Plants that help clean the air of TCE are Bamboo Palm, Peace Lily, and Gerbera daisy.

To purify your home's air, have the following plants handy: Chinese evergreen, Chamaedorea sefritzii (Bamboo Palm), Spider Plant, and Epipiremnum aureum (Golden Pothos)