Natural Air Cleaners 净化空气，我最给力

张晓敏

Following is a list of the top formaldehyde1） removers， as well as a few other plants that clean the air and may bring a little sunshine into your room.

下面列出的是清除甲醛最有效的一些植物以及一些其他的植物，它们既能够清洁空气，也许还能给你的房间带来一些欢乐。

Boston Fern 波士顿蕨

Boston ferns remove more formaldehyde than any other plant. They're also highly efficient at removing other indoor air pollutants， such as benzene2） and xylene3） （these are components of gasoline exhaust that can migrate indoors if you have an attached garage）. The downside is that they can be finicky4）. You need to feed5） them weekly in seasons when they're growing， monthly during the winter， and they like to be watered regularly. Depending on the humidity and moisture levels in your home， you may need to water them or mist their leaves daily.

波士顿蕨比其他任何植物都能清除甲醛。它们还能非常有效地清除其他室内空气污染物，如苯和二甲苯（这两者都是汽车尾气的成分，要是你的车库紧挨着屋子，它们还能跑到室内）。波士顿蕨不好的一点是它们可能不好“伺候”。在其生长季你每周都得给它们浇水施肥，到冬天则需要每月如此。它们还喜欢定期浇水。根据你家的湿度和含水率，你可能需要每天都给它们浇浇水或是给叶子喷喷水。

Palm Trees 棕榈树

Palm trees seem particularly good at removing indoor air pollutants， particularly formaldehyde， and they're all relatively easy to care for. The best at formaldehyde removal is the Dwarf date palm， which is closest in appearance to the palm trees that remind you of warmer climates. But you'll also get clean air with a bamboo palm， areca palm， lady palm or parlor palm. Another plus： palms like cooler temperatures， in the 15.6～23.9℃range， so they force you to be energy efficient and lower your thermostat7）.

棕榈树似乎特别擅于清除室内空气污染物，尤其是甲醛，而且它们都相对好打理。这类植物中清除甲醛最有效的要属矮枣椰，其外形也最像那些会让我们联想到温暖气候的棕榈树。不过，散尾葵、槟榔树、棕竹或是墨西哥棕榈也可以为你带来清新的空气。另外，棕榈科植物喜欢15.6～23.9℃这样凉爽些的温度，所以它们能促使你节能，让你调低恒温器。

Rubber Plants and Janet Craigs 橡胶类植物和巴西木

Got a dim room that's just screaming out for cleaner air and a little touch of nature？ Try a rubber plant or the Janet Craig. Both will tolerate very little sun （though they may grow a little more slowly） and top the list for formaldehyde removers， which is particularly important in rooms where most furniture is made from particleboard8） held together by formaldehyde-based glues. Janet Craigs will tolerate more abuse and neglect than rubber trees， but rubber trees are a little more aesthetically9） pleasing.

你那昏暗阴沉的房间迫切需要清新的空气和一点点自然气息？那不妨试试橡胶类植物或是巴西木吧。这两种植物不怎么见太阳也可以生长（虽然它们可能会长得更慢一点），在清除甲醛的绿植榜单上也名列前茅——如果房间里的家具大多是用以甲醛为基本成分的胶水黏合而成的木屑板制成的，那这一点就更为重要了。巴西木比橡胶树更能经得住虐待和忽视，但后者看起来更赏心悦目一点。波士顿蕨比其他任何植物都能清除甲醛。它们还能非常有效地清除其他室内空气污染物，如苯和二甲苯（这两者都是汽车尾气的成分，要是你的车库紧挨着屋子，它们还能跑到室内）。波士顿蕨不好的一点是它们可能不好“伺候”。在其生长季你每周都得给它们浇水施肥，到冬天则需要每月如此。它们还喜欢定期浇水。根据你家的湿度和含水率，你可能需要每天都给它们浇浇水或是给叶子喷喷水。

English Ivy 常春藤

Grown outdoors， English ivy is an invasive species that can damage your home's exterior and tear off your gutters10）. But bring it inside， and it's an effective formaldehyde remover. Thanks to its ability to climb structures， it's easy to grow as topiary11） and use as a decorative element in your living spaces. English ivy likes part sun and part shade， so it's a good plant to try indoors， and it's not as temperamental as Boston ferns are. Occasional waterings and mistings will keep it healthy.

常春藤若种在户外，会是极具侵略性的植物，会破坏房屋的外观，毁掉你家的排水槽；但若移入室内，便会成为清除甲醛的能手。由于其攀爬各种结构的能力，常春藤易于用于园艺种植，也可以很方便地用作居住空间的装饰元素。常春藤喜欢半是阳光半是阴影的地方，所以是一种很适合在室内尝试种植的植物。它也不像波士顿蕨那样不好伺候，偶尔浇浇水或是喷喷水就能让它长得很好。

Peace Lily 和平莲

One of few houseplants that will bloom indoors， the peace lily with its seashell-shaped spathes12） really will bring a touch of summer into a dreary winter. One of the best plants for removing formaldehyde， it also removes benzene and certain VOCs that are emitted by harsh cleaning products （making it a good office plant， particularly if your maintenance staff doesn't use green cleaners）. It also prefers low-light conditions and has a high transpiration rate that will humidify your air. Just be aware that the leaves can be poisonous to pets and children， so peace lily may not be a great choice for new parents or pet owners.

作为少数能开花的室内盆栽植物之一，和平莲贝壳型的佛焰苞无疑可以给沉闷的冬天带来一丝夏日的气息。它不仅是清除甲醛最有效的植物之一，还能清除苯以及刺激性清洁用品散发出的挥发性有机化合物——这让它成为一种办公室优选植物，尤其是如果保洁人员不使用环保清洁剂的话。它还喜欢光线较暗的环境，蒸腾速率高，可以使空气湿润。不过要注意，它的叶子对宠物和儿童来说可能有毒，所以对新晋父母或养宠物的人来说，和平莲可能不算是一个好的选择。

Golden Pothos 黄金葛

Though not high on the list of formaldehyde removers， we've included this plant because you can practically hit it with a hammer and not kill it. It tolerates a lot of neglect and is forgiving when over-watered. And it's still relatively effective at removing air pollutants. For those reasons， it's a great "starter houseplant" for people without much indoor-gardening experience. Golden pothos are often mistakenly sold as philodendrons13）， which are related plants that are equally good at removing formaldehyde， and almost as forgiving to newbie14） houseplant tenders.

这种植物虽然在除甲醛的名单上排名不高，但我们还是将它列在了这里，因为你可以用锤子真的敲打它，而它都不会死。它可以忍受长时间的冷落，水浇多了也不会怪你，而且在清除空气污染物方面仍然相对有效。基于这些原因，它对没什么室内园艺经验的人来说是个很好的“入门级盆栽”。黄金葛常常被当成喜林芋出售，后者也是同一类植物，同样擅于清除甲醛，即使是室内盆栽的新手也差不多能养好它。