NASA has given the "Go for Launch" on buying more houseplants. Really.
Studies have been completed which show that the air indoors can be up to 30 times more toxic than air outdoors. This can cause problems in your home, and in space habitats.
Space habitats are basically airless vacuums, and there's not much in the way to combat pollutants in the habitats- can't just open a window.
The studies (one is here: NASA Plant Research Offers a Breath of Fresh Air) essentially evaluate air quality in the presence of plants, and how those plants filtrate air around them, through their roots and soil acting as filter and ventilation systems.
Bringing the outside in, can help you breathe better. Long story short: Buy more houseplants? Say no more.
Adding plants to your space is an affordable way to naturally filter out toxic chemicals from your home like benzene and formaldehyde. Plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen, which everyone needs to breathe.
Plants can increase the humidity of your house, making it easier to breathe, which is especially critical in the winter when the indoor air tends to be drier.
While all plants are great, the bamboo palm is particularly effective. In fact, most palms and ferns are toward the top of the list. Other plants mentioned are: Aloe, Peace Lily, Dracaena, Pothos & Philodendrons. Most of these are also fairly hardy and can tolerate some lower light and are a little more forgiving if you're just starting out and not a super green thumb quite yet.
