Plants That Help Clear the Air

There are also specific plants that clean specific pollutants.

One very common pollutant is formaldehyde, as it is found in just about every household item. Here are some examples of items containing formaldehyde along with the antidote plants.

foam insulation (mostly in older homes)-- chrysanthemum
plywood -- azalea
particle board -- dieffenbachia
carpeting -- philodendron
furniture-- spider plant
clothes -- golden pothos
paper goods -- bamboo palm
household cleaners -- corn plant
water repellents -- mother-in-law tongue

Benzene is another offender. Here are the cures for various offenders:

synthetic fibers -- chrysanthemum
plastics -- Gerbera daisy
tobacco smoke -- peace lily
detergents -- English ivy

Circulating air via a fan, open window or air conditioner helps get these toxins moving so the plants can absorb them.

So buying a few plants can kill two birds at one time. They decorate the house and clean the air at the same time.

(Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, an interior designer in Naples, Fla., is author of Mystery of Color, available at Barnes & Noble Booksellers and online.)