💡 What green decor plants thrive in low light but still purify air?
Meta Description: Learn how Purple Heart and other low-light houseplants boost indoor air quality, reduce VOCs, and bring style and health to small spaces.
When thinking of good air quality, the natural way, Tradescantia Pallida is the first and strongest of air filters. It removes benzene, toluene, trichloroethylene, and α-Pinene, and even has some medicinal properties.
This fascinating plant originates from the Gulf Coast of eastern Mexico and is commonly known as purple heart, purple queen, or purple spiderwort. It’s ornamental values include its deep purple foliage, pink flowers, and pale purple flowers. This purple queen thrives in well-drained, fertile soil and prefers bright, indirect light or 2-4 hours of direct sunlight for maximum vibrance and health.
It’s adaptable in various conditions and can be easily propagated through stem cuttings in moist potting soil.
Source: Tradescantia pallida is a species of spiderwort native to the Gulf Coast of eastern Mexico.
Why Low-Light Plants Are Ideal
Not all homes or offices receive abundant sunlight – and that’s where low-light plants shine. These species:
- Tolerate shaded corners without sacrificing vibrancy.
- Improve indoor air quality by naturally filtering out harmful chemicals.
- Require minimal energy since they eliminate the need for constant electric air purifiers.
According to NASA’s Clean Air Study (1989), several common houseplants are capable of reducing indoor air pollutants, also known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants are commonly emitted from cleaning products, paints, furniture, and building materials. 2, 3
Best Plants for Clean Air in Small Spaces
- Bamboo Palm (Benzene, Formaldehyde, Trichloroethylene, Carbon Monoxide, and Xylene) 2, 3
- Areca Palm (Formaldehyde, Benzene, Toluene, Xylene, and Trichloroethylene) 2
- Dracaena (Formaldehyde, Benzene, Trichloroethylene, and Xylene) 2, 3, 4, 5
- Hoya Carnosa (Multiple VOCs) 2, 3, 4
- Peace Lily (Acetone, Alcohols, Formaldehyde) 2, 3, 4
- Golden Pothos (Carbon Monoxide, Multiple VOCs, Formaldehyde) 2, 3, 4, 5
If you’re sort on square footage, compact plants like Purple Heart, Spider Plants, and Golden Pothos can thrive on shelves, desks, or hanging planters. They not only save space but also maximizes surface area exposure for air purification.
- Hanging baskets – great or trailing plants like pothos or purple heart.
- Desk corners – ideal for peace lilies or bamboo plants
- Window Ledges – perfect for hoyas, dracaenas, and herbs
Decorating with Purpose: Function Meets Style
Indoor plants don’t just clean your air, they also elevate the atmosphere of your home. Choosing vibrant foliage like Purple Heart adds a pop of color while doubling as a natural air purifier. By mixing plants of varying heights and textures, you can create a design that’s both stylish and functional.
Pro Tip: Grouping plants together not only creates a bold design statement but also increases humidity, which can improve respiratory comfort indoors.
🌿 Breathe Fresh with Island Dream Clean
Cleaner air starts with cleaner spaces. At Island Dream Clean, we combine eco-friendly cleaning practices with tips like incorporating low-light, air-purifying plants to enhance your home or office environment.
✨ Ready to transform your indoor space?
📅 Book an eco-cleaning today — and let us help you design a healthier, fresher, and more vibrant environment for you and your loved ones.
📲Want to connect?
Reach out to us at (908) 596-1959 or [email protected]. When it comes to creating cleaner spaces and a healthier environment, we truly are better together.