In this post, we explore whether air purifiers can help plants grow. While both air purifiers and plants are great ways to improve indoor air quality, their interaction is an interesting topic. The answer is yes. air purifiers can help plants grow by removing air pollutants that limit the amount of food plants can make through photosynthesis. However, not all types of air purifiers are beneficial for plants. Ozone generators and other purifiers that release ozone are harmful to plants due to negative ozone properties that have adverse effects on living things, including plants.
As a result, it is critical to exercise caution when selecting an air purifier. After all, we want our plants to thrive rather than suffer. Please continue reading for a more detailed version of this answer.
How do air purifiers help plants grow?
Air purifiers, as you may know, clean the air by removing various air pollutants and harmful particles. While all air purifiers have the same goal, there are various types of air purifiers. The primary distinction between them is the technology used to clean the air. Air purifiers of various types remove various types of air pollutants. This is important information about plant growth, as we will see.
Plant growth is influenced by a variety of factors, one of which is clean air. To understand why, we must first examine photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a chemical process by which plants convert sunlight into food. Carbon dioxide is a critical food factor for plants and is required for photosynthesis.
Polluted air contains a variety of harmful particles, including dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), odors, pet dander, allergens, and so on. Smoke, gases, and other volatile organic compounds are the most harmful air pollutants for plants because they limit the amount of carbon dioxide plants can absorb. The less carbon dioxide plants can absorb, the less food they can produce via photosynthesis, slowing their growth.
When air purifiers remove these pollutants from the air, plants are able to absorb more carbon dioxide. As a result, more food can be produced through photosynthesis, resulting in faster plant growth.
Ozone – The enemy of plants and humans
Ground-level ozone is a highly damaging air pollutant for plants. When ozone enters a leaf, it damages the tissue and reduces the plant’s chance of survival. This is a widespread problem for all types of plants and trees. Ozone exposure causes physical and visible changes in the leaf’s appearance. For example, a healthy leaf looks different from a leaf that has been exposed to ozone. In the picture below, you can see the difference between a healthy leaf (top) and a leaf exposed to ozone (bottom photo).
It is crucial to limit our exposure to ground-level ozone since it negatively affects both humans and plants, especially those with respiratory issues like allergies and asthma. Some types of air purifiers can produce ground-level ozone, making them dangerous to use in enclosed spaces such as homes and affecting both people and plants. In the next section, we will examine the various air purifier types and determine which ones are harmful or not to plants.
Which types of air purifiers help plants grow?
To summarize, some air purifier types help plants grow while others can damage them. Air purifiers are differentiated by the air-cleaning technology they use to purify the air. HEPA filtration, activated carbon filters, and pre-filters do not produce any ozone and are safe for plants. Negative ion generators and UV-C lights sometimes produce ozone, while ozone generators always produce ozone and are harmful to plants.
The most popular and effective air purifiers use HEPA and activated carbon technology, which directly helps plants grow by removing indoor air pollutants. It is important to choose the right air purifier type to ensure that plants can grow and thrive in your indoor environment.
Types of air purifiers that are bad for plants
So far, we’ve looked at various air purifiers and discovered that some can be beneficial to plants and their growth. Is it also true that some air purifiers are harmful to plants? They can be if they emit ozone. Referring back to our graph, air ionizers work, but UV-C light purifiers and ozone generators have the potential to harm or even kill plants.
After HEPA filters, the most common air purifier types are air ionizers and UV-C light air purifiers. They can be purchased separately or as part of a larger filtration system. You should always look for ozone emission information, as some of these devices emit ozone while others do not. Air ionizers can be the most beneficial to plant growth, but only if they do not emit any ozone. If an air ionizer or UV light purifier does not generate ozone, it is beneficial to plants. They are harmful to plants if they produce ozone.
Ozone generators (ozonators) purify the air by emitting massive amounts of ozone. There is no way to avoid ozone with these types of devices. If you are concerned about the health of your plants, avoid using ozone generators. They naturally produce a large amount of ozone, which not only inhibits plant growth but can also kill it.
Also, keep an eye out for filtration systems that combine some of these air-purifying technologies. When it comes to ozone emissions, always read the product description. While a small amount of ozone is not harmful to plants, it can definitely slow down plant growth.
Do Air Purifiers Help Plants Grow – Conclusion
To summarize, air purifiers aid plant growth by removing pollutants from the air and improving indoor air quality. Clean air allows plants to absorb more carbon dioxide, accelerating their growth via photosynthesis. Ozone at ground level is a natural enemy of plants, causing them harm and slowing their growth. Plants can even die if the ozone concentration is high enough.
As a byproduct, some air purifiers emit ozone, which is harmful to both plants and humans. Ideally, you want to choose an air purifier that has good air-cleaning capabilities while not producing any ozone. Because of the combination of good air-cleaning technology and no ozone, your plants will grow faster than they would otherwise. Ozone-based air purifiers, particularly ozone generators, are harmful to plants. Avoid them unless you are certain of what you are doing.
Air purifiers with HEPA and carbon filters are the most reliable and cost-effective way to achieve ozone-free air quality. If you are new to the world of air purifiers, I have created a separate list of the top 5 best air purifiers under $50 to help you get started. All of the air purifiers on this list are inexpensive and effective at cleaning the air, which helps plants grow.
A good air purifier is always a welcome addition to any home, as it keeps the air clean and your plants safe and growing!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do air purifiers remove dust?
Yes, they do remove dusk and help us ease the symptoms of asthma and allergies.
Do air purifiers increase oxygen?
No. Air purifiers do not produce or increase oxygen levels.
Do air purifiers help with allergies?
Yes, air purifiers help with the major allergy-aggravating particles and remove particles larger than 0.3 microns.
