A NASA study explains how to purify air with house plants

How do houseplants clean the air? A 1989 NASA study explains exactly how plants remove toxins from air by trapping them in their leaves, soil, and roots, and which houseplants clean air the best.
The study was designed to test air purification systems for the space station.
SUBSCRIBE: goo.gl/kdDpXu
If you're interested in learning more about the NASA study or the plants involved, check out the original papers on the subject:
www.wolvertonen...
ntrs.nasa.gov/...
And if you want to buy the last plant? It's scientific name is Sansevieria laurentii, but common names are both snake plant and mother in law's tongue.
FOLLOW QUARTZ:
Facebook: goo.gl/DsmLvx
Twitter: goo.gl/rY7pSX
Check out the rest of our videos: goo.gl/A8gZvx
Quartz is a digitally native news outlet dedicated to telling stories at the intersection of the important and the interesting. Visit us at qz.com/ to read more.

[@AlexPizzini]

The audio is clear, the guy is not stating fact about cleaning up smoke. He suggests that there MIGHT be a possitive corelation. Then you throw it on the screen like it's fact. That is a shit move.

[@JeromeADavis]

Seemed like he was talking in that tone because he didn't want to directly endorse smoking weed and clearing the weed smell with plants in your apartment.

[@kckdude913]

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[@ChadKovac]

Makes it seem like this is a BS marketing scheme by Big Flora.

[@norasullivanhorner4764]

I read your comment and I though ugh oh no but then when I watched it, it seemed more like they were paraphrasing/repeating what he said kinda verbatim. Obviously in their favor-to prove their point, but I thought that they didn’t twist his words too much? But I do hate when that happens-ESPECIALLY CORRELATION DOES NOT EQUAL CAUSATION :/

[@tunganhduong6610]

True. He is scientist and he is even not sure about that but he still gives advice

[@jaridkeen123]

Great now my House Plant will want to smoke Weed with me now

[@utubestalker.dotcom]

or you could plant weed and just smoke the plant naturally

[@DonBarnesH3]

I'm sorry but this is BS, this guy talking doesn't sound at all like he has Studied the subject. He says "I don't know" when talking about the the NASA studies. If you Dont know then look it up before offering an opinion. Second just the way he speaks, "yeah, I guess, they take stuff out of atmosphere". I have been and still am studying urban ecology and botany. Videos like this just confuse people. FYI the NASA study was Far more in depth and dynamic then this video makes it seem.

[@ayyagarunamasthe3770]

Sir, if you know tell me sir which plants are useful for purification of polluted air and give fresh air, please help me sir

[@animewatch4213]

That how scientist talk. No researchdone on smoke removal by plants. So he don't know. Scientist dont make fake facts like politicans

[@bradreed2001]

The question is did the experiment have controls? I mean it had to right but it's dangerous to assume

[@GracieJ7Diamonds]

Should they redo the research on this topic? As it only is based on an old research by one institution. And removing smoke only seems hypothetical and not really result based, its just “supposedly” or “probably” so.

[@brookswilson8493]

Check the New Deli building project with the plants in a building. It is very interesting and it was in 2009.:)

[@mksabourinable]

Yea it's been tested multiple times to confirm it. And other tests have been done to see how else it can help. Like hedara helix (English Ivy) was found to help reduce mold spores as well through a more recent test.

[@Kentnomore]

Areca palm, snake plant and money plant, they really do work.

[@milamarshall9597]

The original study established what plants and chemicals to use and how to test them. The other studies didn’t just relook at the results they did their own experiments to either confirm or deny the results

[@aimsthesun]

We actually tested that in biology in school... 😂

[@stardustcheng]

I mean it's probably not wrong, but please refrain from using hearsay as proof.

[@stardustcheng]

I'm talking about 1:50 - 1:58

[@ozbot1546]

The scientist hypothesised, probably more like speculated. If you’re referring to the video, yes they interpreted that to suit the article as media tends to do.

[@RealvistaProduction]

Totally agree lol this guy was just assuming and she made it into a cute visual as if it’s true haha

[@josiahmoeller8821]

NASA has only proof that they are liars. So GL

[@KeanuReevolution]

Uh considering there were studies done to see what kind of elements in the air are reduced by the plants, he wasn't speculating nor is it "hearsay" (incorrect term btw). Smoke contains certain molecules that these plabts can pick up. It's as simple as using critical thinking skills and further just reading the studies. Please refrain from using incorrect assumptions and lack of expertise as actual advice when you're not aware.

[@deaconsmom2000]

You should buy snake plants because snake plants are just plain amazing. They're gorgeous, they come in a bunch of different colors and patterns, they love neglect, they're easy to find, and they look great anywhere you place them in your home. If they have health benefits, that's great. I find that mine make me very happy every time I look at them.

[@steviepd]

The NASA professor said "I don't really know"!!! END OF STORY!

[@sandymoonstone855]

Stevie ; and " probably "

[@Evee00187]

It should be notes that this 1989 study used plants in combination with a fan and activated carbon in order to accelerate the removal of toxins from the air. The fan pulled air through the soil, root system and activated carbon -- the figures were not derived from plants alone.

[@Jadinandrews]

So if you remove the plant, it's still an air purifier.

[@stap0510]

Nope, the plant is required to make it all work.

[@Jadinandrews]

@@stap0510 you should look up how an air purifier works, it's basically a fan and a carbon filter.

[@stap0510]

And I can recommend you should read the NASA study Eve was referring to.

[@helianthe3457]

Do you know why they used this combination? Like, wouldn't that pretty much negate the study results? I think i'm gonna research that precise study because i'm confused.

[@addisontaylor3084]

The English ivy you have pictured looks way more like pothos , just saying. The animation is misleading

[@michaelsorensen7567]

I'm glad I'm not the input one to notice. I know there are tons of leaf forms for ivy, but it REALLY lookslike pothos (which I'm surprised didn't get an honorable mention for its large leaves and fast growth)

[@Greengreen-qv3be]

Looks more like a heart philodendron to me lol either way not ivy

[@thunderstorminmyblood3705]

It looked like a money plant

[@kaoticmind09]

Is this a joke? Lol. Listen to what that guy says. He's obviously trying to say that the person asking the question is speculating a little much lol.

[@emilioalvarado-alanis8229]

Look, if he were to state that for a fact these plants clean the air efficiently, he would disappear in a heartbeat. Realize that the ones in power don’t want people cleaning their air, so he must choose his words carefully. I can’t believe you guys can’t see that. Everyone will believe what they want, but he doesn’t want to get in trouble

[@Silvertarian]

My grandmother always had tons of house plants, never understood why. Now I'm 25 and I'm like I NEED PLANTS lol

[@eatinghumanflesh4451]

I’m 25 now and your 30 now :)

[@KelsomaticPDX]

This video does not AT ALL address whether the chemicals tested in the study occur with ANY frequency in homes. Plus, it pretends that a scientist's guess is equivalent to a scientific positive correlation... Shameful. I would've found this video more interesting if it were more honest because you hear this all the time. All you did was parrot the same thing everyone else says and even twist words to parrot it more precisely and blindly. How utterly boring.

[@marysybil9680]

Hi Kelsomatic, I wonder can you guild me?....my brother's friend had his dog with him one day...when they left, my brother found that the dog had flea's and he went to purchase a flea spray or powder. I can't remember which?...' but anyway after covering his bed with the flea repellant, He started to feel sick...He said he could not breathe in his house..Long story short.....He had to leave his house and got another house to live in....but he has made one big mistake...he went and brought the mattress of the bed to his new house and he can not get away from the toxic air...His tongue is raw. he is coughing up blood and other disgusting stuff...His doctor is off no help...We have bought air purifiers, and face masks and he got rid of the matress but he can not get rid of the toxic air....He told me he can barely breath and he has lost aload off weight.....He sweats all night long, he brushes his teeth at least 3 times during the night.....Please can you help me by giving me the name of any plants that will clear the toxic air out of his home..........................Thank you very much......Mary In Ireland....X

[@emilioalvarado-alanis8229]

Hey why don’t you test it out yourself instead of complaining that you don’t like a certain answer? See if you can feel or tell the difference in your own home and quit complaining, no wonder people don’t advance forward.

[@gelpy27]

This is a pretty bad video

[@techwizpc4484]

Screw it just put a banana tree in the living room.

[@ram5ramen582]

TechWizPC dwarf banana plants are the best plants for a tropical feel. And grows faster than palm trees or pachira aquatica/or pachira glabra

[@expressfashionman89]

Lol I actually have four

[@justmegawatt]

I know someone that has two in their home, they're smaller banana trees though that fit in a pot, still big but not as big as the ones outdoors

[@b00kgrrl55]

This video is misleading. The expert who is interviewed cautions that he has no proof that plants remove smoke from the air, although he hypothesizes, based on the previous NASA study, that they probably do. A hypothesis from an expert is compelling, but it's not the same thing as a fact.

[@BobRossFourTwenty]

I doubt "the expert" read the nasa study either.... or he would have refused the interview 🤣👌

[@888TMONEY888]

most sensible comment i've read so far

[@i-i-i8527]

29 houseplants and still going :)

[@Matthew-cd8iv]

Fungus gnats *hears the word house plants* : were listening

[@markparisi9338]

My worst enemies with my indoor garden...

[@Liam_xxii]

This video had a lot of weird pauses in it

[@knuxnbatSunnyDIY]

Yeah I thought so too.

[@airygreentechgmbh9475]

Important to know: If you want to get the whole air purifying benefit of these plants, you have to ventilate their root system. Most of them are from the deserts and have themselves specialized in turning pollutants like Formaldehyde, Benzene or Toluene into useful nutrients without any residue. By bringing these pollutants directly to the root system (using the soil as a filter), they can absorb them much (up to 8 times) better.

[@TabalugaDragon]

thanks for the info!

[@mksabourinable]

Yep! I just stab the soil a couple times with a kebob skewer every now and then!! You should do this for your plants in general, it's healthier for them :)

[@manictiger]

Deserts and jungles, it seems. The desert ones are an issue because my bomb shelter does not let in direct sunlight. Humidity is kind of a problem because it will shorten the life of electronics. (Most jungle plants want you to mist them every morning.) It seems I have to stick with the HEPA filter as the only filter. Maybe I'll work on attaching an undergroud greenhouse. That seems like the best way to go. I can segregate the air that way and put shutters under the "sun roof", for complete control over how much light is allowed in. That can't be too expensive. Probably only around 400k dollars.

[@masochistarch1311]

Hi. May i ask how to ventilate their root system?

[@kikyozu]

Hello^^ Could you please help explain to me? Is it actually safe to put indoor plants like air purify plants in bedroom where we sleep? Coz I read articles and it wrote plants will produce CO2 at night which is not good for us.. So I confuse should I put plants in my bedroom or not..

[@asireprimad]

some 30 years old study commented on by some guy who was involved? was this ever reproduced? by newer methods of quantification of aerosols? also: today the list of cancerogens changed quite a bit compared to 1989!

[@mksabourinable]

Yes the results have been tested multiple times over the decades, with some studies even testing them for other air purifying abilities. Like they even found out that hedara helix (English Ivy) also helps with mold spores in the air!!

[@bo_392]

Kye Talks: where can i learn more about this? (the video makes it seem like there's only ever been one study.)

[@muzixinmix]

@@mksabourinable Hi Ive been looking into this quite a bit as well, could you kindly link the studies that was done after 1989?

[@VinylUnboxings]

Horrible journalism tbh

[@alteserien]

youtubeism

[@toripetry9730]

i currently have 180 succulents in my house. i’m LIVING

[@MoviesHolmes]

Really wasn't expecting such angry comments for a video on freaking house plants. Y'all need to chill

[@somekid7]

Nah, most of em aren't angry. Matter of fact, I think it's good that so many people actually know how to criticize science like a scientist would. It gives me hope that people are getting smarter.

[@susanrooney6327]

@@somekid7 Agreed!

[@susanrooney6327]

Mythsdraws, I get your comment, but it really wasn't about the houseplants, it was the misuse/misinterpretation/misinformation of the scientific method. That is bad news!

[@iloveashleysade]

“you know other kinds of smoke” 😂

[@Qwerty-nm6qi]

To all the skeptics in the comments. I had terrible VOCs in my freshly renovated apartment for five weeks straight despite airing it out constantly. I put one big fern in the room and one hour later the VOCs were significantly reduced. The next morning they’re nearly gone. But yeah keep being skeptical 😂

[@changedname_8970]

Video: THEORETICAL Lacking objective data that we all love 💙

[@AlessioRusso-p3j]

Important to know: If you want to get the whole air purifying benefit of these plants, you have to ventilate their root system. Most of them are from the deserts and have themselves specialized in turning pollutants like Formaldehyde, Benzene or Toluene into useful nutrients without any residue. By bringing these pollutants directly to the root system (using the soil as a filter), they can absorb them much (up to 8 times) better.

[@God_is_good_]

Jesus loves you!

[@socratease4645]

Truth is NASA study was in sealed room. Regular rooms have lot of air exchange with exterior. Filtering rate of plant is far lower than that air exchange: you won’t have noticeable impact. However, they do make people feel happier and that matters

[@cielcam5721]

In my country, Sansiviera or Snake Plant is often referred as "Mother in Law's Tongue".. Lidah Mertua..

[@reindrop6182]

i planted 2 shoots of sanseverias in to my garden like 5 years ago , they are now my fences today.

[@vsubhuti]

Rein Drop thanks for telling us it’s important to have a living fence rather than a plastic dead fence.

[@billjamal4764]

Bro he literally tried to word it so you wouldn't be able to draw the conclusion that plants absorb smoke and you guys still did it

[@alexanderdamm870]

I’m really disappoint in the quality of this video, how could you mislead us like that? I trusted Quartz for cool but true information. Yet now your credibility is damaged.

[@kn1t30wl]

I love the Snake Tongue Plant, I have 1 in every room of my house. Only need to water them ever 1-3 months. Every month during the summer.

[@michellegordon4211]

I have found that sanseverias do much better with light, even though they have a reputation for being "low light" plants.

[@Malexah_mor]

Michelle Gordon yes, thank you! People say they can tolerate low light, but it’s not true...I have about 7 snake plants, and I placed one in a dark corner and it got sick, it was a birds nest. So they do so much better in bright indirect light!

[@musicalcharge]

"Tolerates" low light doesn't mean "thrives in" low light.

[@Ilovesmesomeketchup]

I feel the most sorry for ZZ plants, they advertise the poor things as no light needed plants, not true. All plants need light to photosynthesize.

[@boyhotdog9753]

they are low light tolerant plant but it doesnt mean that you will restrict them from light. same as drought tolerant plant, they need water.

[@helpme5785]

Would probably make it metabolize more quickly too

[@sulli1189]

I wonder if Algae would be useful for air purification. Instead of house plants that grow minimally, Algae can be grown in sheets of any reasonable size.

[@littlesailor1533]

my bedroom is full of plants but it isnt a jungle yet, so I'm continuing to buy more plants!

[@ashleyfromresidentevil4618]

Buy pothos its quite easy to care for and can be duplicated easily through propagation simply cut a stalk that has small brown nodes and place it in water

[@ashleyfromresidentevil4618]

A good investment

[@ajpb6166]

Is it good or it can cool the room?

[@ethank5681]

Damn I only have weird exotic plants. Guess I got the cancer

[@Roamstrong]

This video missed some pretty important distinctions.... For starters, that the plants studied and actually enabled 90%+ reductions had air circulating on their roots and activated carbon mixed into the medium. I recall someone mentioning fhat a potted plant would see 1/60th the effect of a hydroponic, airflow enabled, activated carbon-using plant. It might've even been Wolverton.

[@hakashaqU812]

My lava lamp does wonders in a cannabis smoke filled room...

[@trevor5473]

Is nobody gonna talk about how she said fungi?

[@thymianmbappe]

Well it's not a fact , but maybe probably theoretically this might be true.

[@ricardobetancourt6725]

Yes ! Plants do remove VOCs BUT!! What they failed to mention in this video is that the study done by NASA these plants were put in a two foot wide sealed chamber, also keep in mind these plants removed the air within a time span of 24 hrs. The chemical exchanges that happen indoor happen at a far higher pace than these plants have to be able to purify the air. You’d have to have at most 10plants per square foot. In a small 500 square foot apartment that’d be 5,000 plants! So technically they do purify the air but in reality those 10 plants you have at home are doing next to nothing 🤷🏻‍♂️ that being said despite the fact that plants don’t clean my apartment air I still like them in my home lol.

[@Libbers2011]

As an avid plant nerd and i work in a nursery, i can tell you that all "low light plants" do better with more medium range indirect light. Its more like theyre low light tolerant. If given somewhat brighter light, snake plants actually bloom! Just saying

[@shnbwmn]

Indeed. They're much more vigorous outside with strong indirect or half day light and a steady supply of water.

[@danialashraf99]

I don't know why but the way the video is being made doesn't sound convincing at all 😆😆😆

[@mattyjackson7581]

I read this study was useless bc the study was done in an air tight room

[@HomeAirGuides]

We wrote a blog post recently on this exact topic. It's important to note that while plants can purify the air, they're not as efficient as air purifiers. Air purifier machines can remove many contaminants that plants cannot such as dust, pollen, allergens and other solid particles. Plants are good for some things like carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds including acetone, benzene, and formaldehyde. But, if you want to remove up to 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size then you'll want to invest in an air purifier device.

[@TheLennemoy]

Air purifier does shit to remove chemicals. plants are the best. stop selling your shit.

[@feynstein1004]

He said "if we did the test, we might find". Um then why not do the test itself?

[@justmegawatt]

no funding, this is why most science is done on stuff that makes money like cosmetics and pharmaceuticals instead of interesting or possibly useful things

[@Anna-2]

Man: I don't really know, but if they did studies there may be some positive correlation Video: positive correlation! Plants remove smoke! Urgh smh

[@zoemeow7677]

Am feeling better now with ferns i think is getting rid of rat crap pollution prob is killing me eeew! Mt cats will eat them soon is fine lol nature!✨🌟😀🐱🌿

[@Sandlin22]

Screen shot 1:08 for the plant names

[@evmorals6348]

😂😂😂 another proof my indigenous ancestors were extremely smart. They had and we still do without the need of NASA or going "to space" 😂😂😂

[@fjuvo]

This video is SOOOOO SLOOOOW

[@whydoineedalastname5989]

how ironic is it that the peace lily i inherited from my aunt who died of cancer, is one of the best plants out there for removing carcinogens

[@7XHARDER]

*So to be clear, if we just happened to legalize marijuana, and everyone in the USA grew at least one plant*... We can make 20 million trees become 20 Million trees + 330 Million trees ;)

[@omabetrugtdichbeimenkeltri5705]

I have a snake Plant. This plant need nearly zero attention. It always look green. Didn't water the plant for 2 weeks? The snake plant doesn't care. Awesome plant.

[@cortexcarvalho9423]

Most of my life I found plants boring. Even though sometimes I caught myself admiring it. I recently played botany manor, and it was a good experience. Maybe we need some current media that tells good stories about plants

[@Durgeshkr00]

You should use Tulsi plant.. This plant generates 20 hr. Oxygen and 4 hr. Ozone. Best air purifier.

[@sohanblues]

Or just plant more trees outside.

[@meishangchung411]

I'm sorry I thought this would be a little more concrete than a regurgitation of a Pinterest meme about how plants can basically cure you of all your ailments. I mean he wasn't even sure if they actually removed smoke, he HYPOTHESIZED a positive CORRELATION LOL LIke how vague is that statement. Get a grip.

[@Troph2]

4x4 scrog 1ft thick canopy should clean quite a bit of air...right?

[@irrationalmoon]

Sansevieria is great. It needs low light and very little water. Fastest way to kill one is to try to take care of it. Oh, and they don't like temperatures below 40°F.

[@Kazini_]

This is terribly biased.

[@HiltTilt]

8 thus far. Christmas Cactus, Poinncetta, Green onions, and 2 Aloe Vera plants thriving. Recently started some Basil, and sprouted 2 Lemon trees from seeds. These 3 are doing really good but still seedlings.

[@lilacKurage]

Reasons to have a pothos: Cute greeny baby. Long green Tarzan's hangi hangers. Listens to Initial D while growing. Weeb levels of sunlight needed. Want more? Grab one of those hangi hangers and you have like 5 more pothos. Want even more? Repeat last process in 6 months and you will have Tarzan's dream home. Seriously if you mess up you shouldn't have anything else under your supervision. Please get a pothos, they are nice plants.

[@priyankajoisher9300]

You should have used actual plants instead of their paper cutouts. These plants are so common and easy to maintain.

[@pookiehoney]

Edible plants also clean the air and you learn how to grow your own food and eat healthier. Why plant so many plants in and around our houses that are only decorative when you could also be producing most of your food and medicine?

[@tvthecat]

Good For Environment Save Our Planet Create Awareness

[@xXGizmoXisXcoolXx]

So why are you all using a 30 year old source? You people at quartz could not find a more recent study? The amount of research and technology has improved drastically since then.

[@alexnicoles5575]

Arielle Ray, you are the reason why journalists get crapped on for misreporting research studies and the data that comes from them. Please do better research on how to accurately report research data and research data conclusions. I hope you learn from this experience and improve for the future!!

[@leightonSS55]

This is the most unscientific video I have seen. Before anyone shares, take a look at the literature and attempt to work out their true effectiveness at removing pollution..e.g. a single pot plant will do jack..

[@sleekoduck]

You can't purchase English Ivy in the United States. Customs irradiated the seeds I ordered on Amazon - they said they are an invasive species. 🙁

[@moonshinedreams3745]

Hello! Please remove next time hypotheses without proof. This lessens the credibility of the video. I would rather read the study rather than watch the video if these keeps up.

[@majedaabusaleh5296]

هل اقتلع ابصال الليمرللس من الاصيص عندانتهاءالصيف واتركهابكيس مثقب لاوائل الصيف لازرعهامن جديد

[@viiiderekae]

Now the question is... Why did they evolve this capability ?

[@SeijuroRen]

You need a lot of plants if you want a significant reduction. Like a lot. Read the paper on your own.

[@harshitmishra5234]

yeah cut 100 years old trees and plant tiny plants in your house to clean your air ... . what a disgusting way of living life :D

[@medielijah]

Typical low quality pseudoscientific show. This is how you NOT do it. Quite disappointed I have to say.

[@anlsezer6486]

I think they did a pretty solid thing with providing the source of hypothesis rather than saying "this does that and it's amazing". Thanks for the nice approach!

[@BennyDeSlager]

''a nasa study'' is the most overused shit

[@sageoblouk6782]

I love plants, but this is not based on sound research and science. More studies should be done before coming to a conclusion

[@joseb.1681]

I wonder if there’s been some test on placing air purifying plants in nuclear bomb tested areas?

[@lovedivasong]

Right now the lack of quality air in my city is mind-blowing, there have been a lot of fires these last few days and I have felt that I can't breathe. I was looking into oxigen tanks (yes it's that bad), but I'm going to buy and fill up my space with plants so that my air quality will always be good and not feel like I can't breathe.

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

Why is a house plant common? Why was cabbage not the choice to test? Why are the plants chosen to be houseplants all toxic

[@therandomchannel9226]

What a lame professor. He tested different carcinogens but not the basic smoke i.e. present in homes. Loool

[@ashleynv]

I need a list of these plants that are not toxic to my cats, they WILL eat them lol or at least try them once or twice haha

[@dobysaurus]

My million dollar smoke cleanser is more cost effective and useful than these stupid house plants.

[@RyanScottForReal]

the guy you brought on doesn't seem to have any information about study you mention in the title

[@alienskullcollector3366]

I think a redwood tree would be nice too.

[@TheDarkDualBlade]

It purify the air so much that it does not purify mosquitoes....

[@mksabourinable]

I'd recommend carnivorous plants then! There are over 600 species to choose from ;)

[@vsubhuti]

Kye Talks well Sid I agree

[@abidalwi1067]

I will pattern my creation, but nasa need to get rid elon musk first

[@ANGELMATEO-tm2st]

No good

[@Mrglv-e8n]

YOU WILL NEVER KNOW AS MUCH AS THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT PLANTS I THINK

[@christofferlou]

Why even bother to research when you can just ask the Plantation store?

[@maximilliantarmidi6323]

Can venus flytrap and other carnivorous plant purify air?

[@sidthevar2679]

yeah.......but can it neutralize my awesome farts.........?

[@mhasiorganicfarm6325]

I put pine in my room .no.1air purifiers by Indian scientist

[@mixingrecords]

So...NOT ONE FACT in this stupid theory