What native plants make good indoor plants?

I was wondering if you could help me find some information on specific native plants. NASA put up their list of top ten indoor plants. The characteristics of these plants are easily maintained, high oxygen producing, and air filtering/decontamination. Most of the plants on the list are Asian or foreign species. So I was wondering if there where any native plants that met these characteristics and would suffice as great indoor plants. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer

The NASA plants studies used houseplants to measure their effectiveness in filtering toxins associated with "sick building syndrome" as well as the plants' effectiveness in producing oxygen.

Why did they use houseplants? Because, generally speaking, houseplants thrive in the same temperatures that we enjoy, and can live in homes with light levels lower than outdoor sunlight.

I'm not not aware of studies using natives (and since you live in Philadelphia I'm assuming you mean plants native to Pennsylvania) as good candidates for houseplants exhibiting high success in filtering toxins and producing oxygen. Since you want the plants to grow successfully indoors, I'm wondering if plants native to this area would be a good choice. Certainly, our indoor habitat does not mimic the requirements of plants native to this area. If you'd like to learn more about the NASA studies, you may want to read   How to grow fresh air :   50 houseplants that purify your home or office by Wolverton. We have a copy here in our library which you may borrow, since you are a member. The easiest thing would be for you to bring your membership card with you when you come to visit the library. And you are certainly welcome to use our library to see if you can come up with plants you'd like to grow indoors. 

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  • Last Updated Jan 14, 2021
  • Views 1769
  • Answered By Janet Evans

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