UK households urged to keep 5 flowers in their homes to improve air quality

If you live near a busy road and your home becomes stuffy quite easily - you'll know all too well how exhaust fumes smell as they linger in your home.

But experts swear by five house plants that aim to help indoor air in a variety of ways. Of course, they're not going to stop unwanted smells and pollution from wafting into your home, but these suggested plants are known to absorb harmful toxins.

This includes common pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene and ammonia, which are frequently found in household cleaning products. Ammonia in particular can cause intense irritation to eyes and nose, even at low concentrations.

Another brilliant benefit, probably more so in winter than summer, is that many help increase humidity. This is because flowers release moisture into the air, which can help combat dryness – and which can also benefit your skin. Meanwhile, others will actually decrease it, which is great for home struggling with dampness.

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In addition, they also flood the air with oxygen as they photosynthesise. Considering that they take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, this vastly helps with improving the freshness of your home.

So, which flowers should you plant if you want a cleaner, fresher indoor space? The experts at have compiled a list of five key flowers.

Peace Lilies

These gorgeous white flowers are hugely popular in the UK. Living up to their name, their soft fragrance and gentle appearance bring a sense of calm and harmony to any room.

Fortunately, they're also brilliant air purifiers. They are capable of absorbing impurities in the air through their leaves. They also work to reduce the moisture in the air, which can be beneficial if your home suffers from too much humidity or even mould.

Chrysanthemums

Beloved for their jubilant appearance, these colourful flowers instantly brighten up any room. Fortunately, their ability to soak up ammonia and benzene means they can freshen it too.

Although, Eflorist caution, "They require a good amount of sunlight, so it’s important to position them near a window where they can get an ample amount throughout the day."

Lavender

Lavender is already known for its soft, calming scent. However, it can also make a great air purifier, as it helps filter out various air pollutants. As an added bonus, it also repels insects like moths and mosquitos.

Jasmine

This is another flower that is already famous for its sweet dessert-like fragrance. Eflorist advise that it can also be used to soak up chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene and xylene.

Orchids

Orchids release oxygen at night, which makes them a particularly great option for those looking for a good night's sleep. They're also known to absorb substances like formaldehyde, xylene and toluene through their leaves.