12 best bedroom flowers that purify the air
The bedroom is an essential room. Each of us spends at least 7 hours a day in it. For this reason, it is worth taking care of the quality of the air we breathe in it. Flowers for the bedroom, purifying the air, will help you create the right atmosphere for rest.
Good air quality can make a significant difference to your health.
I decided to write this article based on NASA’s research conducted in 1989.
The study involved checking the extent to which selected plants absorb toxic substances such as formaldehyde or benzene. The tests were carried out in laboratory conditions. The amount of toxic substances was measured using process chromatography.
After 24 hours, measurements of the substance content in the air were carried out to determine how much of the substance was neutralized by the plant.
Below you will find the results of these studies and a brief description of how to grow each plant.
I hope this way you will choose the best air-purifying bedroom flowers. They have been studied in a scientific way, so it is worth relying on them.
Bamboo palm – Chamaedorea seifrizii
During the research conducted by NASA, it was possible to establish the following cleansing properties of the bamboo palm :
| A toxic substance | Total leaf area (cm2) | The total number of micrograms removed by the plant |
|---|---|---|
| Trichlorethylene (TCE) | 10.325 | 16,520 |
| Benzene | 10.325 | 34.073 |
| Formaldehyde | 14.205 | 76.707 |
Amount of individual substances removed by a bamboo palm from a sealed experimental chamber in 24 hours
Growing bamboo palm in the bedroom for air purification
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Land requirements | Fertile, permeable soil |
| The pH range of the earth | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| The best earth mix | Garden soil with the addition of peat |
| Country of origin | Mexico, Central America |
| Discovery | Unknown |
| Flowering time | Spring |
| Watering frequency | Moderate, avoid overflowing |
| Origin | A plant naturally occurring in forests |
| minimum temperature | about 10°C |
| The color of the flowers | White or cream |
| Popular names | Bamboo palm, Chamedorea seifrizii |
| Method of reproduction | It is propagated by seeds or by division |
The bamboo palm comes from the humid tropical forests of Central America. She is easy to grow and shouldn’t be a problem in the bedroom.
It can grow both in full sun and partial shade. It feels best in bright and warm places. It is worth checking the temperature in the bedroom before starting the cultivation.
The bamboo palm requires regular watering, so it is not a plant for the forgetful. It also requires sprinkling the leaves, especially during the heating period, when the air is dry.
When growing a bamboo palm, you need to remember about repotting. You need to do this about every 2-3 years, replacing the soil and the pot with a larger one.
The soil for the palm tree should be light, permeable, and fertile. A mixture with the addition of peat and sand will work best.
Chinese evergreen – Aglaonema modestum
During the research conducted by NASA, the following aglaonema purifying properties were established :
| A toxic substance | Total leaf area (cm2) | The total number of micrograms removed by the plant |
|---|---|---|
| Benzene | 3.085 | 14,500 |
| Formaldehyde | 1.894 | 4.382 |
Amount of individual substances removed by aglaonema from a sealed experimental chamber in 24 hours.
Growing aglaonema in the bedroom for air purification
| Parameter | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Land requirements | It is propagated by the division of the rhizome | |
| The pH range of the earth | 5.5 – 6.5 | |
| The best earth mix | Garden soil with the addition of peat | |
| Country of origin | Philippines, Malaysia | |
| Discovery | Unknown | |
| Flowering time | It rarely blooms | |
| Watering frequency | Skillfully maintain soil moisture | |
| Origin | A tropical plant from humid forests | |
| minimum temperature | Around 18°C | |
| The color of the flowers | Cream, white or greenish | |
| Popular names | Aglaonema | |
| Method of reproduction | It is propagated by division of the rhizome |
Aglaonema comes from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. She is easy to grow and is great for people who are new to growing plants.
It can be successfully used to purify the air in the bedroom. However, you need to take care of the right growing conditions, namely:
- Position. Light to partial shade, away from the direct sun that can burn the leaves. Modest aglaonema tolerates low light intensity well, but then its leaves may be less colorful.
- Temperature. Moderate, from 18 to 25°C. The plant does not tolerate temperatures below 15 ° C and drafts.
- Watering. Regular but moderate. The substrate should always be slightly moist, but not wet. Water for watering should be soft and lukewarm. In winter, watering should be limited and excessive soil moisture should be avoided.
- Fertilization. From spring to autumn, every 2-3 weeks with a compound fertilizer for green plants. In winter, fertilization should be stopped or used very rarely and in low concentration.
- Exaggeration. Every 2-3 years, in spring, to fresh, permeable, and fertile soil with a slightly acidic pH. You can use universal soil with the addition of perlite or sand. The pot should be slightly larger than the previous one and have drainage holes.
- Multiplication. By dividing the clump or by stem or leaf cuttings. The cuttings are rooted in a moist substrate or in water with the addition of charcoal. Propagation is best done in spring or summer.
- Pests and diseases. Aglaonema modest is resistant to most pests and diseases, but can be attacked by spider mites, aphids, mealybugs or scale insects. Appropriate plant protection products can be used if necessary. The plant can also suffer from root rot caused by over-watering or too low temperatures. In this case, it is necessary to remove the diseased parts of the plant and change the growing conditions.
English Ivy – Hedera helix
Ivy is another plant that has been well-studied by NASA. Here are the results of their research and the ivy’s ability to purify the air :
| A toxic substance | Total leaf area (cm2) | The total number of micrograms removed by the plant |
|---|---|---|
| Trichlorethylene (TCE) | 981 | 7.161 |
| Benzene | 1.336 | 13,894 |
| Formaldehyde | 985 | 9.653 |
Amount of individual substances removed by ivy from a sealed experimental chamber in 24 hours
Growing ivy in the bedroom to purify the air
Ivy comes from Europe and Asia Minor, where it grows wild on walls, rocks and trees. It has many ornamental varieties that differ in the shape and color of the leaves. Ivy is evergreen, which means it does not shed its leaves in winter.
Growing ivy is not difficult. It is a plant that is not very demanding and tolerant when it comes to growing conditions.
Ivy is usually grown in gardens, where it climbs by means of adventitious roots. Growing in the bedroom can be a little more difficult, but not impossible.
To take advantage of ivy’s purifying abilities in the bedroom, you can build a green wall. It is enough to place a pot with a trellis in the bedroom, on which ivy will climb.
This solution will require some space, but it will certainly help in purifying the air. It will also be an effective decoration of the bedroom.
Ficus benjamin
Fikus is also great for purifying the air in the bedroom. Here’s what NASA researchers found:
| A toxic substance | Initial content (p/m) | Final content (p/m) | % removed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trichlorethylene (TCE) | 19 | 17 | 10.5% |
| Benzene | 20 | 14 | thirty% |
| Formaldehyde | 19 | 10 | 47.4% |
The amount of individual substances removed by the ficus from the sealed experimental chamber in 24 hours.
Growing ficus in the bedroom to purify the air
Ficus comes from tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, Africa, and Australia. It belongs to the mulberry family and is related to fig trees.
Ficus like bright, but not direct sunlight. They grow well in moderate temperatures and humidity. They need regular watering. They do not tolerate drafts, sudden changes in temperature, and too dry or too wet soil.
They require repotting every few years when their roots fill the pot. Ficuses can be propagated by cuttings from shoots or leaves.
Gerbera daisy – Gerbera jamesonii
Now let’s take a look at the results of the gerbera research published by NASA. I must admit that I am very surprised by them because I did not expect such effectiveness.
Here is a table with information about the level of air purification by gerberas :
| A toxic substance | Total leaf area (cm2) | The total number of micrograms removed by the plant |
|---|---|---|
| Trichloroethylene (TCE) | 4,581 | 38.938 |
| Benzene | 4,581 | 107.653 |
Amount of individual substances removed by Jameson’s gerbera from a sealed experimental chamber in 24 hours.
In addition, in the NASA report, you can read that gerberas remove :
- 50% formaldehyde
- 67.7% benzene
- 35% Trichloroethylene
This is really impressive, considering the small area of the leaves.
Growing gerberas in the bedroom for air purification
Gerberas are most often grown in the garden, but they can be successfully placed in the bedroom.
They belong to the Asteraceae family and come from warm and tropical regions of the world. They require a bright and sunny position but do not like direct sunlight, which can cause burns.
It is best to place them where they will be lit for at least 6 hours a day.
Gerberas like moist soil, but not soggy. They should be watered regularly, but not too often, so as not to lead to rotting of the roots. Water for watering should be soft and lukewarm.
During the growing season, gerberas can be fertilized every two weeks with a compound fertilizer for potted or garden flowers.
Gerberas are perennials, but they are not completely hardy, so they are perfect for growing in the bedroom.
They will not only be a nice decoration, but also perfectly clean the air.
Dracaena deremensis “Janet Craig”
Another flower that is suitable for purifying the air in the bedroom is the dracaena. Here is a table with its cleansing abilities:
| A toxic substance | Total leaf area (cm2) | The total number of micrograms removed by the plant |
|---|---|---|
| Trichlorethylene (TCE) | 15.275 | 18,330 |
| Benzene | 15.275 | 25.968 |
| Formaldehyde | 15.275 | 48,880 |
Amount of individual substances removed by Janet Craig’s dracaena from a sealed experimental chamber in 24 hours.
Growing bamboo palm in the bedroom for air purification
Dracaena comes from tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Likes a bright position, but not direct sun. The optimum temperature for dracaena is around 20-28°C in summer and 18-22°C in winter, so it will feel great in the bedroom.
Dracaena requires regular watering, but do not overdo it with the amount of water. It is good to fertilize it from spring to autumn, every two weeks.
Dracaena does not need frequent repotting. It is enough to do this every few years when the plant grows too big.
Dracaena Marginata
This is another air-purifying dracaena variety that has been studied by NASA and the results of their research:
| A toxic substance | Total leaf area (cm2) | The total number of micrograms removed by the plant |
|---|---|---|
| Trichlorethylene (TCE) | 7.581 | 27.292 |
| Benzene | 7.581 | 30.324 |
| Formaldehyde | 7.581 | 20.469 |
The number of individual substances removed by dracaena edging from a sealed experimental chamber during 24 hours.
The edged dracaena is grown in the same way as its other varieties.
Dracaena massangeana
Dracaena has also been studied by NASA for its ability to purify the air. Here’s what the researchers found:
| A toxic substance | Total leaf area (cm2) | The total number of micrograms removed by the plant |
|---|---|---|
| Trichlorethylene (TCE) | 7.251 | 10.101 |
The number of individual substances removed by dracaena from a sealed experimental chamber during 24 hours.
Dracaena is grown in the same way as other varieties.
Mother-in-law’s tongue – Sansevieria laurentii
Sansevieria is a very popular plant used to purify the air in the bedroom. As you can see from the following research results, this is justified:
| A toxic substance | Total leaf area (cm2) | The total number of micrograms removed by the plant |
|---|---|---|
| Trichlorethylene (TCE) | 3.474 | 9,727 |
| Benzene | 2.871 | 28,710 |
| Formaldehyde | 2.871 | 31.294 |
Amount of individual substances removed by sansevieria from a sealed experimental chamber in 24 hours.
Growing sansevieria in the bedroom to purify the air
| botanical name: | Sansevieria laurentii |
|---|---|
| Plant type: | succulent |
| Popular names: | mother-in-law’s tongue, sword of St. George, snake |
| Earth: | pH 6.6 – 7.5 permeable |
| Flower: | White |
| Origin: | South Africa |
Basic information about growing Sansevieria
- Partial sunshine
- Typical watering of succulents
- To grow at home
- Minimum temperature -1.1 degrees C
- Reproduction by suckers
- It grows to about 120 cm in height.
- May be toxic to dogs and cats
Peace Lilly – Spathiphyllum “Mauna Loa”
Spathiflora is one of my favorite houseplants. I’m glad it’s on this list as well.
Now I am sure that peace lily is not only beautiful but also helps to purify the air.
Below is a list of its purification abilities that have been tested by NASA:
| A toxic substance | Total leaf area (cm2) | The total number of micrograms removed by the plant |
|---|---|---|
| Trichlorethylene (TCE) | 7,960 | 27.064 |
| Benzene | 7,960 | 41.392 |
| Formaldehyde | 8,509 | 16.167 |
Amount of individual substances removed by spathiflora from a sealed experimental chamber in 24 hours.
Growing peace lily in the bedroom to purify the air
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Land requirements | Moist, fertile and well-drained soil |
| The pH range of the earth | 5.5 – 7.0 |
| The best earth mix | Peat with perlite or sand |
| Country of origin | Central and South America |
| Discovery | Unknown |
| Flowering time | Spring and/or summer |
| Watering frequency | Regular watering, avoid overflowing |
| Origin | Tropical plant |
| minimum temperature | About 16°C |
| The color of the flowers | White |
| Popular names | Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’ |
| Method of reproduction | It is propagated by division of the rhizome |
It comes from South America, where it grows in tropical forests.
A characteristic feature of spathiflora is beautiful, bright flowers that bloom all year round. Its flowers are small but very numerous and create a cascade of colors. This plant is quite small, usually reaching about 30-40 cm in height.
Spathiphyllum was discovered and described by the German botanist Karl von Martius in 1824.
Spathiflora requires moderate watering and moist air. It is recommended to place it in a bright place, but away from direct sunlight.
The minimum temperature at which it grows well is around 18°C. It can be propagated from stem cuttings or seeds.
Pot mum – Chrysanthemum morifolium
Chrysanthemums are also among the flowers that purify the air in the bedroom. They have the following absorbing properties:
| A toxic substance | Total leaf area (cm2) | The total number of micrograms removed by the plant |
|---|---|---|
| Benzene | 4.227 | 76.931 |
The number of individual substances removed by the multiflorous chrysanthemum from the sealed experimental chamber during 24 hours.
Data from NASA is best illustrated in the table below. In it you will find the percentage of chemical compounds absorbed by chrysanthemums:
| A toxic substance | Initial content (p/m) | Final content (p/m) | % removed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trichlorethylene (TCE) | 17 | 10 | 41.2% |
| Benzene | 58 | 27 | 53% |
| Formaldehyde | 18 | 7 | 70% |
Initial, final, and percentage of substances removed by the chrysanthemum from the sealed experimental chamber during 24 hours.
As you can see, chrysanthemums can absorb 70% of formaldehyde. This gives them one of the first positions in the ranking of plants that purify the air in the bedroom.
Growing chrysanthemums in the bedroom for air purification
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Land requirements | Well-drained, fertile soil |
| The pH range of the earth | 6.0 – 7.0 |
| The best earth mix | Garden soil with the addition of compost |
| Country of origin | China |
| Discovery | Before the 15th century |
| Flowering time | Autumn |
| Watering frequency | Moderate, avoid overflowing |
| Origin | A plant that grows wild in Asia |
| minimum temperature | About 5°C |
| The color of the flowers | Varied, varieties in different colors |
| Popular names | Chinese chrysanthemum, Queen of Autumn |
| Method of reproduction | Propagated by cuttings or by division |
The large-flowered chrysanthemum belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is a derivative of many species of chrysanthemums found naturally in Asia, mainly in China and Japan. It was also there that its cultivation and breeding began several thousand years ago.
Chrysanthemum was a symbol of the Chinese Empire and was considered the plant of immortality. In Japan, the chrysanthemum is the national flower and a sign of honor.
Today, there are more than 30 thousand varieties of large-flowered chrysanthemum. They differ in size, shape, color, and flowering time.
Some varieties have two-colored or multi-colored flowers.
The large-flowered chrysanthemum is a perennial with an erect, bushy habit and dark green leaves. It reaches a height of 30 to 120 cm, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
Before you decide to plant it in the bedroom, be sure to check how big it grows.
Large-flowered chrysanthemum grows best in sunny or slightly shaded places. Needs fertile, well-drained, and slightly alkaline soil.
Requires regular watering, especially during flowering. At the same time, it does not tolerate excess moisture in the substrate. Chrysanthemum also needs systematic fertilization with mineral or organic fertilizers.
Warneckei – Dracaena deremensis
Dracaena also works well as a bedroom air purifier. Maybe it doesn’t do as well as the others, but after all, not everyone has to like them. I like it a lot and it’s nice to know that it can also remove chemicals from the air.
Here’s how it handled them in NASA tests:
| A toxic substance | Total leaf area (cm2) | The total number of micrograms removed by the plant |
|---|---|---|
| Trichlorethylene (TCE) | 7.242 | 13,760 |
| Benzene | 7.242 | 39.107 |
The number of individual substances removed by the Deremen dracaena from the sealed experimental chamber during 24 hours.
Dracaena deremenska is cultivated in the same way as its other varieties.
Summary
As you can see, there are many flowers that are suitable for purifying the air in the bedroom. Based on the results of NASA research, I can recommend you the best:
- Gerbera jameson – Gerbera jamesonii
- Dracaena Janet Craig – Dracaena deremensis “Janet Craig”
- Spathiphyllum “Mauna Loa”
By placing these flowers in your bedroom, you will definitely feel the difference in air quality.
Sources:
Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19930073077/downloads/19930073077.pdf
