NASA has just confirmed that there is a plant, one that many of us already have at home, that might be doing more than just decorating. Epipremnum aureum (what?), also known as pothos. A plant capable of removing up to 73% of carcinogens (cancer-causing elements) present in the air. They’ve been researching it since 1989, and now it’s back in the conversation as indoor air quality has become a public health concern. What’s going on and how can a pothos save our lives? We’ll tell you.
What is a pothos?
One of the most popular indoor plants, you’ve definitely seen them. Heart-shaped leaves, resilient, and a shiny green color that’s hard not to love. Native to Southeast Asia, it’s a climbing plant if it has support and grows upward, although many people let it hang down like a waterfall, which is beautiful too. It survives with low light, little watering, and hardly ever suffers from pests. It’s all advantages with these plants!
Besides being tough and easy to care for, they have the ability to filter pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene, which directly affect our health and are commonly found in paint, cleaning products, fabrics, and furniture. So, with a pothos, we could have a natural filter right where we spend the most time, making it safer to breathe!
What exactly does NASA say?
The study is called “Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement,” and in it, NASA evaluated different species to determine their effectiveness in removing toxic substances. Pothos stood out for its ability to absorb cancer-causing volatile compounds, making it a pretty valuable resource for improving air quality without relying on electronic devices or chemicals.
Why do we need to purify indoor air?
Indoor air pollution can be even more dangerous than outdoor pollution. In many homes, especially in urban areas, the use of industrial products or synthetic materials contributes to a constant load of pollutants, or if you live in a house near heavy traffic.
Formaldehyde, for example, is released in small doses from furniture or carpets. Benzene is found in paint or even tobacco smoke. Trichloroethylene is common in solvents and cleaning products. So yes, we’re constantly exposed to these compounds that slowly build up and affect our health.
What if I have pets?
Okay, we’ve said that Epipremnum aureum is wonderful, doesn’t need intensive care, and adapts to all spaces… But if you have pets, like dogs or cats, it’s best not to keep one of these plants at home because it’s toxic for our furry friends if they bite or ingest it. It contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause severe irritation, excessive drooling, nausea, or breathing difficulties… Especially for cats, who are very curious… So it’s not the best choice.
If you still want to have one of these plants (which, again, isn’t the best option if you have pets), you can place it in high, inaccessible spots like shelves or hanging from the ceiling, and above all, keep an eye on your cats the first few days since that’s when they’ll notice “the new thing” and feel the most curious.
In a world where more than 2.2 billion people lack access to clean drinking water and millions more live with constant pollution, small gestures matter a lot! Placing an indoor plant might seem symbolic, but in reality, it’s a real and tangible step toward a cleaner, safer environment!
Here you have some tips to feed your pothos! Let us know if they work!