If you’re searching for a natural and low-maintenance way to freshen up your indoor space, you’ve probably come across spider plants. But can spider plants actually clean the air? Let’s find out.
Do Spider Plants Purify Indoor Air?
Yes, spider plants can help clean the air inside your home. These popular indoor plants are known for their ability to remove certain harmful pollutants and improve indoor air quality. They not only add a touch of greenery to your room but also work as natural air purifiers.
How Do Spider Plants Clean the Air?
Spider plants improve indoor air quality through a natural process called phytoremediation. This is when plants absorb pollutants through their leaves and roots and then break them down or store them safely in their tissues.
What makes spider plants special is their ability to remove common indoor air pollutants like:
- Formaldehyde (found in furniture, carpets, and household products)
- Carbon monoxide
- Xylene
- Toluene
- And other volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
These substances can quietly build up in your home and cause headaches, allergies, or breathing issues over time. Spider plants help reduce these toxins naturally.
What Does Science Say About It?
The idea of spider plants cleaning the air isn’t just a gardening myth. It’s backed by research.
In fact, a famous study called the NASA Clean Air Study tested various indoor plants for their air-purifying abilities. Spider plants ranked among the top performers in removing harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide from the air.
Although the NASA study was done in a controlled environment, it highlighted how houseplants, including spider plants, can play a role in improving indoor air quality.
How Many Spider Plants Do You Need to Clean a Room?
While spider plants are great air purifiers, having just one small plant in a large room may not make a huge difference. To noticeably improve air quality, studies suggest keeping 1 medium-sized plant per 100 square feet of space.
Adding a few spider plants in bedrooms, living rooms, and offices can help create a fresher and cleaner atmosphere.
Other Benefits of Spider Plants
Besides air purification, spider plants offer a few more indoor benefits:
- They release oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide.
- Help regulate humidity levels, especially in dry indoor environments.
- Safe for pets, as they’re non-toxic to cats and dogs (although excessive chewing might cause mild stomach upset).
Best Places to Keep Spider Plants for Cleaner Air
To get the most out of your spider plant’s air-purifying abilities:
- Place them in bedrooms, living rooms, or home offices.
- Keep them near areas with poor ventilation or near sources of indoor pollution like cooking spaces.
- Avoid placing them in direct harsh sunlight (they thrive in bright, indirect light).
Final Thoughts
So, can spider plants clean the air? Yes, spider plants are natural air purifiers that help remove harmful indoor pollutants and freshen up your space. While they might not replace a good air filter, they’re a simple, affordable, and attractive way to support better indoor air quality.
If you’re looking to create a greener, cleaner home, adding a few spider plants to your space is a smart and easy choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Are spider plants good for bedrooms?
Yes, they’re perfect for bedrooms. They improve air quality, release oxygen, and require little care.
Can spider plants remove formaldehyde?
Yes, spider plants are known to absorb formaldehyde, a common indoor air pollutant, through their leaves.
Do spider plants release oxygen at night?
While they release oxygen during the day, like most plants, spider plants slow down their oxygen production at night. However, they still contribute to the overall fresher air indoors.
