Indoor Potted Trees to Clean Air

So many of us are primarily concerned with the air quality outdoors, but what about the air that we must breathe inside of our homes? Most homeowners would be disgusted to discover that the stale air trapped in our houses can actually be up to ten times more harmful than the polluted air outdoors. This is because all of the plastics and chemicals that we use on surfaces and furniture are always degrading very slowly, releasing potentially toxic gases into our breathing space. There are very few ways to avoid this, but keeping healthy indoor plants and trees can help to keep the contaminants under control.

While the country is preparing to close up the windows and doors in order to keep precious winter heat inside, homeowners are also trapping the harmful environmental contaminants that come from within our very own homes. Unfortunately, the lack of proper cold weather ventilation can cause all sorts of bacterial growth that just adds to the chemical contaminants that are already hiding in carpets, household products, and upholstery. 

Top Air Purifying Trees for the Home

We mostly talk about planting trees outdoors here at THTL, but there is actually an abundance of beautiful and hardy indoor varieties that will add a decorative flair while cleansing airborne impurities. One of my personal favorites happens to be the Madagascar dragon tree, which can grow to be a good couple feet tall but is still perfect for small areas that don’t get very much light. They are one of the hardiest varieties available and are heralded for their excellent trainability. 

Areca palms are another great indoor tree species that displays beautiful arching tropical leaves and graceful stalks. These are significantly larger than dragon trees and take up much more horizontal space, making them just as decorative as they are useful for filtering air. It’s impossible not to think about carefree breezes and lazy days when viewing this very exotic palm. 

For those who do not like tropical looking plants a great alternative is found with the weeping fig tree. These indoor plants are extremely tasteful and are often sold with beautiful intertwining trunks. The leaves are broad and flat, which improves the ability of the plant to absorb airborne contaminants. These small trees will adapt to the size of pot you keep it in, making them extremely versatile and perfect for any area with proper light availability. 

Where to Find Indoor Trees?

Indoor trees can be found at almost any home improvement store or can be ordered online. They make great gifts and a few select native varieties can even be transplanted outdoors later with the help of a tree service professional.  There is no reason to stand another winter stuck indoors with little to no fresh air, breathing in all of the contaminants and remnants of household cleaners and products. Purchasing an indoor tree is great for nature lovers who don’t want to give up lush greenery for a shade of winter gray.