Can plants clense the air in my apartment?

I'm just wondering to what degree plants actually produce oxygen. I have a few small shrubs and flowers in my tiny apartment, and I like to feel like I breathe cleaner air because of them. Is this totally just wishful thinking because of the minuscule amount they produce? Or do a few small flower bushes actually produce a significant amount of oxygen?


Also, what kinds of plants produce more/less. I have one of those little mineature pine trees, and it seems like since they have less leaf surface area, they wouldn't produce much.


Anyone know anything about this?

Can plants clense the air in my apartment?
Your rooms exchange air with the outdoors faster than your plants can create a significant concentration gradient of oxygen. However possibly as important to you is the quality of air, the contaminants the plant removes. Vapors exhaust from items, especially if this is new construction. Houseplants trap and absorb many pollutants from household products.


Plant Studies showed air cleansing took place between the soil and air surface. The actual work is done by the "common soil microorganisms [most of which are] known to be capable of biodegrading toxic chemicals when activated by plant root growth." Practically this means a broad pot with exposed soil to create an air/soil exchange surface. Do not allow the plants to cover the entire soil surface.


http://www.practicalasthma.net/pages/top...





http://www.plantea.com/houseplants.htm


http://www.thegreenguide.com/blog/tow/kw...
Reply:Plants do cleanse the air, but I have heard of one that really does the job--the Peace Lilly (the scientific name is Spathyllium, I believe). They are indoor plants. Check it out!
Reply:Yes. I houseplant can clean up to 100 sq. ft. of space.

rain roots