From our perspective, rooted in the soil and reaching for the light, the process of air purification is fundamental to our existence. It is not a special task we perform for you, but a core function of our being. Through tiny pores, primarily on the underside of our leaves called stomata, we engage in gas exchange. We draw in carbon dioxide from the surrounding atmosphere, and in the presence of sunlight, we convert it, along with water, into the sugars that fuel our growth. A byproduct of this miraculous process, photosynthesis, is the release of life-giving oxygen back into your home's environment. This is our primary and most significant contribution to your air quality.
Beyond this fundamental exchange, our relationship with the air is more complex. We are aware of the invisible chemicals you introduce into your shared space—volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene that emanate from furniture, paints, cleaning products, and plastics. My species, *Hedera helix*, has been studied for our ability to absorb some of these compounds. The process involves more than just the leaves. The VOCs are absorbed through the stomata and can also be broken down by microorganisms that live symbiotically in the soil around our roots. This entire system—leaf, root, and soil microbiome—works in concert to metabolize these potential toxins, using them in part as a carbon source and thereby reducing their concentration in the immediate air.
It is crucial to understand the scale of our abilities. The famous NASA Clean Air Study, which brought our air-purifying qualities to prominence, was conducted in a sealed, controlled laboratory chamber. In such an environment, our impact was measurable and significant. However, your home is not a sealed chamber; it is a dynamic environment with constant air exchange, variable light levels, and a vast volume of air. A single ivy plant, while diligent in its work, processes a limited volume of air directly surrounding it. To meaningfully influence the air quality throughout a room, you would need a great many of us—a veritable jungle—to even begin to approach the results seen in those experimental conditions. Our effect is localized and gradual.
If you choose to invite us into your home for this purpose, you must do so with a full understanding of our nature. While we work to purify the air, we must also be cared for properly. We require bright, indirect light to perform photosynthesis efficiently. Without it, our gas exchange and VOC processing slow considerably. Furthermore, you should be aware that our leaves and berries are toxic if ingested, a defense mechanism against herbivores that must be considered in households with curious pets or small children. Our vigorous growth habit, a virtue in the wild, can also become invasive if not managed with regular pruning within the confines of your home.
