Different sanseveria varieties' air-cleaning properties

8 years ago

I live in a dirty-aired Asian country and have been buying sanseverias to help clean up the air a bit at home. But the more I look into it, the more I'm overwhelmed by just how many varieties exist.
From what I understand, the Laurentii variety is best for the air. I thought I bought one of these recently, but on closer inspection, it seems to be a 'Black Star' or 'Black Gold Extreme' (what on earth kind of name is that, anyway?). I also just picked up a couple that, to my inexpert eye, appears to be a Robusta. Does anyone know how these perform in terms of air purification?

Featured Answer

woodnative

8 years ago

No study has been done to compare all the different cultivars. They may have used laurentii in a study and found it to do well.......but all those are just cultivars/ varietaions of Sansevieria trifasciata. Since all green plants have more chlrophyll and function better, I would think the all green varieties would work better than the variegates but who knows if it is better enough to make a difference. Get a few different ones and arrange them in your home.....they will make nice accent/focal points and hopefully clean some air too!

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Comments (6)

Jakob Dorof
Original Author
8 years ago
(For reference: https://www.pinterest.co.kr/pin/350506783477613855/)
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Stush2049 Pitts. PA, zone 6
8 years ago
The amount of air cleaning is so minimal. They sell air fans with carbon filters that are way more better but we love the natural look of our sans. If you have radon gas, I heard that Sansevieria is best for this.
Jakob Dorof
Original Author
8 years ago
Yeah, for the vast majority of my air purification I rely upon my trusty air purifier. It does a great job. But I think it's ineffective against a lot of the common household pollutants that sanseveria are known to help manage (well, Laurentii, anyway). Just hoping to build a windowsill garden that can help take me that last 5% of the way. :)
Oyster
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
The last thing I read about this was that there is a chance that the plant itself isn't responsible at all for this cleaning effect, but that it is caused by the bacteria living among the root ball. I'm not aware of any definitive conclusion regarding these claims.
Stush2049 Pitts. PA, zone 6
8 years ago
My big question is; If Sanseveria absorbs radon gas and other pollutants, does that make the plant itself toxic or dangerous or radioactive? Or could it possibly break them down to safe compounds?