Plants as Air Purifiers: DIY Home Project Ideas
Conventional wisdom, handed down by generations, advocates for the incorporation of indoor plants in our living spaces due to their aesthetic appeal and, more importantly, their natural capacity to cleanse the air. This concept received scientific validation when a NASA research discovered that certain houseplants can absorb harmful toxins from the air. This effectively equipped homeowners with the capacity to improve indoor air quality using interior vegetation.
However, choosing the right plants and knowing how to maintain them for an optimum result is key. This detailed piece explores indoor plant species proven to purify air and provides various DIY home project ideas that will cater to every homeowner’s needs.
One of the champions of air purifying plants is the Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum). It is excellent for removing formaldehyde and xylene from the indoors. The resilient nature of the Spider Plant, which requires indirect sunlight and occasional watering, makes it a viable option for plant amateurs.
A creative idea for housing your Spider Plant is in a self-watering hanging planter. To create one, you will need a yarn, a clear plastic container (soda bottles work great), scissors, a marker, and water-soluble paint. This indoor vertical garden not only purifies the air but also saves space, making it ideal for cramped apartments.
The English Ivy (Hedera Helix) is another stunning variety of air purifying plant that eliminates toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene. This climbing vine prefers a cooler environment with a few hours of direct sunlight each day.
You could set up an English Ivy plant in a DIY ladder planter for an innovative side-table addition. With some wooden boards, screws, drill, saw, and your chosen paint, you can create a unique tiered plant display that enhances your interior design while purifying the air.
The Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata), also known as Mother-In-Law’s Tongue, is a remarkable air purifier that converts carbon dioxide into oxygen even at night. This succulent is remarkably low maintenance and thrives in low-light conditions.
If you’re artistic, a painted mason jar planter could be a charming new home for your Snake Plant. It only requires a mason jar, acrylic paint, sealer, soil, and gravel. When placed on a mantle or office desk, it can add a touch of color while removing harmful toxins.
Moving onto the Broad Lady Palm (Rhapis Excelsa), this plant is proficient in eliminating ammonia, making it a great addition to homes with pets. This palm prefers a humid environment, indirect light, and requires regular watering.
For the Broad Lady Palm, you could create an upcycled planter using old crates. The rustic look can blend effortlessly with your interior design, contributing to a green and clean living environment.
The Boston Fern (Nephrolepis Exaltata), an indoor plant with lush foliage, helps in removing formaldehyde and xylene. It prefers indirect light, high humidity, and moist soil.
A DIY wall-mounted pot holder will let your Boston Fern cascade down, creating a green curtain of foliage. Using some wooden boards, rope, and basic hardware, you can craft a wall-mounted holder that serves both aesthetic and air purifying purposes.
The Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea Seifrizii) thrives in bright indirect light, and is very good at purifying the air from pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene.
An excellent DIY project for this plant is a two-tiered corner plant stand. This attractive piece could hold your Bamboo Palm and other smaller decorative items, enhancing the visual appeal of your living space while serving its purpose as an air purifier.
From hanging planters to tiered stands and upcycled planters, the possibilities to incorporate air purifying plants creatively into your home décor are endless. However, the importance of selecting the right plants and providing them appropriate care cannot be overstated. The selected plant should thrive in your specific indoor environment – consider factors such as lighting conditions, temperature, and humidity. At the same time, DIY projects can be chosen based on your creative inclination and the available space, ensuring that they augment the visual appeal of your space while effectively purifying the indoor air.
With the right plants and appealing DIY planters, you can create a unique and healthy interior that serves as a sanctuary for you and your family. These DIY home project ideas will not only add an aesthetic touch to your home but also work silently to keep the air you breathe clean, promoting a healthier lifestyle in a natural way.
