Detox Your Dorm Room

When it comes to air quality dorm rooms usually score pretty low. Most residence halls are old and dusty to begin with, add to that a large number of people in a confined space eating, sleeping, studying…and everything in between, and you have a recipe for disaster in terms of indoor air quality.

What's a co-ed to do? Go green! Greens aren't just good for your diet they're good for your living environment. Below is a list of houseplants that are ideal for dorm rooms.  Consider taking one to college with you.

Devil's Ivy (Scindapsus aures)

This fast-growing vine will create a cascade of green that looks fabulous on top of a bed or desk cubby (hyperlink).  It's so good at cleaning the air it even removes formaldehyde. The fact that Devil's ivy stays green even when kept in the dark, is just another reason it's perfect for a dorm room.

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema Crispum 'Deborah') 

This easy-to-care-for plant can help filter out a variety of air pollutants and begins to remove more toxins as time and exposure continues. Even with low light, it will produce blooms and red berries.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) 

Shade and weekly watering are all the peace lily needs to survive and produce blooms. It topped NASA’s list for removing all three of most common VOCs (volatile organic compounds)— formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. It can also combat toluene and xylene.

Aloe (Aloe vera) 

If you're lucky enough to have a sunny windowsil this easy-to-grow, sun-loving succulent helps clear formaldehyde and benzene, which can be a byproduct of chemical-based cleaners, paints and more. Beyond its air-clearing abilities, the gel inside an aloe plant can help heal cuts and burns.

Besides being good for you these plants can help cozy up your room and make it feel more like home.  Go green!