Epipremnum aureum benefits as an indoor air purifying plant

Epipremnum aureum benefits

Pothos plant scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum is an evergreen vine and is a popular houseplant. Other common names of pothos plants are money plant, silver vine, and devil’s vine. The plant can survive in a wide range of environments and with or without soil. Proper watering is important for this plant. Pothos plant health benefits are it purifies the indoor air. Let us see what the Epipremnum aureum benefits as an indoor air purifying plant.
Pothos plants are widely used as indoor plants in houses and offices because of their large attractive leaves. These plants can be grown in pots and in water, therefore, are very low-maintaining plants that add beauty to the interior. The plant is very efficient in removing many indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and benzene (1).

Epipremnum aureum benefits as an air purifying plant

According to NASA studies for indoor plants, Pothos plants can be efficient removes the following indoor air pollutants

1. Removes formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is one of the major indoor pollutants. The main source of formaldehyde indoors is facial tissue papers, paints, synthetic fibers, wooden flooring, wooden furniture, waxed paper, shoe polish other makeup items (3).

Planting pothos plants in pots or simply in water helps in absorbing formaldehyde thus reducing the level of pollutants from the interior environment.

2. Eliminate xylene

Along with formaldehyde, paints, tobacco smoke, and rubbers, vehicle exhaust also emits xylene (3). This xylene gets accumulates in the houses and offices due to poor ventilation in the buildings. Therefore planting Pothos plants helps in reducing xylene pollution.

3. Removes toluene

Toluene is another harmful air pollutant that causes central nervous system dysfunction, necrosis, irritation of the upper respiratory tract, and eyes.

Children exposed to these harmful pollutants also suffer developmental problems and reproductive problems in females.

The major source of toluene pollution is gasoline, solvents in paints, plastic and soda bottles, paint cosmetics, and other organic chemicals (4). Pothos plants indoors thus result in removing toluene from the air and thus giving clean and fresh air to respire.

4. Absorbs benzene

According to WHO major sources of benzene are automobiles from the attached garage, heating and cooking systems, and solvents. Exposure to benzene causes nausea, headache, and vomiting and has a low but non-negligible carcinogenic risk. Sources of benzene are tools and attached garages, gas and charcoal cooking, solvents, etc (5) & (6). Pothos plants (Epipremnum aureum) help in the absorption of benzene in indoor conditions.

Propagation

Propagation of the Pothos plant is very easy and can survive a wide range of temperatures and requires very little care. The main mode of propagation of the pothos plant is via cutting. Simple precautions should be taken before cutting there should be 4 or 5 leaves in the stem.

Precaution

Pothos plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, therefore, are poisonous. Before handling these plans it will be recommended to wear gloves and keep the plant out of reach from children and pets (2). Excessive contact with these plants also causes skin irritation.