Hi everyone, I love the search tool on the plant encyclopedia!

I am wondering if introducing indoor plants and essentially a new ecosystem is worth the cleaner air benefits.

I currently run a hepa filter but was thinking that an indoor, toxin-reducing plant combined with a hepa filter would be a good combo until I started thinking about the pests that will be introduced. Could someone please address this concern.

What non-toxic methods do you find work best to control the pest population?

Thanks in advance!

All indoor and outdoor plants act as a filter for the air.
They absorb carbon dioxide as well. You should ask someone at your local nursery about a book of houseplants that will do well in your area and with your specific house conditions--i.e. how much direct sunlight you get in your home, humidity and such. They can be very helpful in directing you towards plants that are easy to grow and maintain because your just starting out. I recommend getting houseplants from a nursery instead of a grocery store or your local home repair shop. They can get good plants but they don't always have time or the know how to take care of them. There are usually specific pests associated with specific plants but on the whole if you get a plant from a good nursery and use a good potting soil, and know the conditions the plant needs, you should be successful. There are many different products to use for pest control, and you can usually find "natural insecticides" like Pyrethrum in at your local nursery that are non-toxic and harmful to humans and pets. You may lose plants in the beginning but keep trying!! It is so rewarding to have a plant thrive under your care. Good luck!!