If you’re like most people concerned about their indoor air quality, you probably have a few plants in your home. And if you are considering getting an air purifier, you might be wondering “do air purifiers affect plants?”
Air purifiers do not have a negative effect on plants. Air purifiers are designed to remove particulate matter from the air and not release any chemicals back into the environment. Some air purifiers can even help to improve the quality of the air around plants.
But there’s a lot more to know. In this article, we’ll find which types of air purifiers can help plants to grow.
We’ll also find out if plants are better than air purifiers.
Which Types Of Air Purifiers Help Plants Grow?
Almost all air purifiers with HEPA filters will help improve the air quality around plants. HEPA filters are great at removing particulate matter from the air, including dust, pollen, and other contaminants that can clog up a plant’s pores and prevent it from getting the nutrients it needs.
House plants, just like any other plants, use a process called photosynthesis to convert light into energy that they can use to grow.
In order for photosynthesis to occur, plants need three things: sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
However, photosynthesis can only occur if the plant’s pores are clear and unobstructed.
When particulate matter clogs up a plant’s pores (stomata), it prevents the plant from being able to absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide, which ultimately slows down its growth.
More particularly, photosynthesis is delayed by such pollutants as smoke, VOCs, gases, and dust.
An air purifier with a HEPA filter can help to remove these pollutants from the air and allow plants to photosynthesize more effectively.
However, some air purifiers which produce ozone may not be the best for plants.
Ozone is harmful to both plants and humans and can cause a variety of respiratory problems.
If you are considering getting an air purifier for your home, make sure to check that it does not produce ozone.
Do Plants Act As Air Purifiers?
While plants cannot replace air purifiers, they can help to improve the air quality in your home. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which helps to improve the overall quality of the air.
In addition, plants can help to remove VOCs and other pollutants from the air.
A study conducted by NASA found that certain plants are effective at removing formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air.
If you are looking for a way to improve the air quality in your home, consider getting some house plants.
Not only will they help to purify the air, but they will also add some life and color to your space.
Are Plants Better Than Air Purifiers?
Air purifiers are specially designed to remove particulate matter from the air and improve the air quality in your home. While plants can help to improve air quality, they are not as effective as air purifiers at removing particulate matter from the air.
For instance, air purifiers can remove dust, smoke, allergens, VOCs, and other pollutants as small as 0.003 microns in size at an efficiency of up to 99.97%.
This is a feat that indoor plants cannot match.
So if you are looking for the most effective way to improve the air quality in your home, an air purifier is your best bet.
I am, however, not saying that you shouldn’t have indoor plants if you have an air purifier.
It is always a good idea to have both for the best air quality possible.
Which Indoor Plants Purifier The Air The Most?
There are so many different types of indoor plants that it is hard to say which one purifies the air the most.
However, some plants are more effective than others at purifying indoor air.
They include the following, among others:
Devil’s Ivy
Also known as photosynthesis on steroids, the devil’s ivy is one of the most effective houseplants when it comes to purifying indoor air.
It is known to remove formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air.
Peace Lily
With glossy green leaves, peace lilies are a beautiful addition to any home. They are also very effective at purifying indoor air and removing pollutants.
Dwarf Date Palm
This plant is easy to grow and maintain. They can reach up to six feet in height and are very effective at removing VOCs from the air.
Spider Plant
The spider plant is a popular choice for many because it is very easy to care for. It is also effective at removing formaldehyde, xylene, and carbon monoxide from the air.
Philodendron
This is another plant that is very easy to care for. It is effective at removing formaldehyde and benzene from the air.
Rubber Plants
You cannot go wrong with rubber plants. They are easy to care for and very effective at removing trichloroethylene, benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene from the air.
Chrysanthemums
This plant is beloved for its beautiful flowers. They are also very effective at removing ammonia, formaldehyde, and benzene from the air.
While there are many different indoor plants that can help to purify the air, these are some of the most effective.
If you are looking for a way to improve the air quality in your home, consider getting one or more of these plants.
How Many Plants Do I Need To Purify The Air?
It is difficult to estimate exactly how many plants you need to purify the air in your home. The number of plants you need will depend on the size of your home and the level of pollution in the air.
If you want to improve the air quality in a small space, such as a bedroom or office, one or two large plants should be sufficient.
For larger spaces, such as a living room or open concept kitchen, you will need more plants.
To get the best results, try to have two large plants per 100 square feet of space.
So if your home is 1000 square feet, you will need 20 large plants.
Of course, you can always start with a few plants and see how it goes.
You can always add more later if you feel that the air quality in your home could be better.
Are Air Purifiers Good For Plants FAQ
Can I Put My Air Purifier Next To My Plants?
Yes, you can put your air purifier next to your plants. Just make sure that the intake and output vents are not blocked by the plants.
Do I Need An Air Purifier If I Have plants?
Yes. Plants are not as effective as air purifiers when it comes to removing pollutants from the air.
Will My Indoor Plants Affect My Air Purifier?
There is some concern that plants increase indoor humidity, which can, in turn, affect the performance of your air purifier. However, this is usually not a problem unless you have a very large number of plants in a small space.
In general, plants are good for indoor air quality and will not interfere with the performance of your air purifier.
Final Thoughts- Do Air Purifiers Affect Plants?
No, Air purifiers do not affect plants. Air purifiers help to improve the air quality in your home by removing pollutants and other contaminants from the air. So if you are worried about your air purifier affecting your plants, don’t be!
Hopefully, this article has answered all of your questions about air purifiers and plants.
If not, feel free to leave a comment below and we will do our best to answer your question.
(Author)
Irene Batres is eager to help others create an indoor allergen-free home. She has years of experience testing out air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and other products designed to help with indoor air quality. Learn more about me.
