Beware of so-called depolluting plants

The results are conclusive in the laboratory

The notion of a depolluting plant was introduced by NASA in the 1980s. Dr. Wolverton was conducting research on air purification in space shuttles. In 2010, thanks to the Phytair programme, the Observatoire de la Qualité de l'Air Indoor has deepened our knowledge of the ability of plants to purify the air.

Indeed : agglomerated wood furniture, paints, glues, varnishes, solvents, deodorisers, coatings, detergents and carpets present in our homes emit toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemical compounds damage the lungs. and can cause various headaches.

Three houseplants, which are very popular with the general public, were exposed to highly concentrated pollutants: Devil's Ivy, the Spider Plant and the Dragon Tree. Under controlled laboratory conditions, they capture between 30% and 90% of the pollutants present in the air. They are effective on carbon monoxide (CO), formaldehyde, ammonia, toluene, xylene, trichloroethylene and benzene. Some of these pollutants are present in cigarette smoke and in household products (insecticides).

There is also a wide variety of plants considered as depolluting plants :

• Spathiphyllum, a resistant and easy-care plant
• Ficus, which is also easy to care for but dreads direct sunlight.
• Pothos
• Chlorophytum
• Palm tree
• Fern
• Philodendron
• Anthurium

With their roots and leaves composed of living micro-organisms, these plants convert pollutants into organic products in order to feed themselves.

These results have not been validated in real-life situations.

The undesirable effects of depolluting plants

Plants can have undesirable effects, especially on people with allergies. Some plants spread allergenic pollen. Others have allergenic sap. Above all, the soil in the pots is rich in moulds, including the spores are allergenic. Finally, houseplant care products can themselves pollute the air.