Top Ten Native Plants To Purify The Air

We need air. It's simple. But as important as it is, surpassing all other requirements for life, we often forget the necessity of plant life to give us quality, fresh air. And promoting native plants in your home or office is a great way to not only improve our health and well-being, but also to improve the livelihood of Australia's biodiversity.

Plants are one of the simplest and most effective ways to clean the air. As part of a clean air study in 1989 NASA released their first list of air filtering plants. NASA researchers suggest having at least one plant per 100 square feet of home or office space for the best results in air purification. Not only can plants produce Oxygen from CO2, some plants are also able to absorb toxins like benzene, formaldehyde and/or trichloroethylene.

Here are ten native Aussie flora that will purify the air in your home or office:

Black bean tree (Castanospermum austral)

With dark glossy leaves, these trees bloom red and yellow pea-like flowers in the summer. However, the green seeds in the black bean pods are poisonous.

Broad-leaved palm lily (Cordyline petiolaris)

This native plant grows in the understory of Australian rainforests. They'e very hardy, with a beautiful palm-like foliage.

Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana)

Native to Lord Howe Island, Kentia Palms thrive next to the coast, but can grow indoors in any climate.

Coraline narrow-leaved palm lily (Coraline stricta)

This shrub is found in rainforests across Australia; however it is also drought tolerant and likes the shade, easily making it a low-maintenance indoor plant.

Davidson's plum (Davidsonia pruriens)

This striking specimen has grows purple fruits, which are edible and are especially delicious if they're turned into jam!

Walking stick palm (Linospadix monostachya)

Walking stick palms are small, slow growing plants that are native to Australia's rainforest understory, with edible orange fruit.

Rough maidenhair fern (Adiantum hispidulum)

With beautiful pink hues, rough maindenhair ferns are perfect for hanging baskets and indoor growing.

Native Ginger (Alpinia caerula)

This hardy plant had many functions for indigenous Australians. The ginger-tasting root would be eaten, along with the flesh from the fruit. The leaves were also used to wrap food for cooking and to thatch roofs.

Native orchids (Dendrobium kingianum)

These orchids will brighten up your house or office, with more than 50 species native to Australia.

Small leaved lilly pilly (Syzygium luehmannii)

These evergreen plants are found in Australia's rainforests and vary in size. Most grow delicate green or white flowers in Spring and early summer.

Banner photo via Shutterstock

All other photos via daleys fruit

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