From our perspective as plants, the process you call "air purification" is fundamentally intertwined with our two most basic life processes: photosynthesis and respiration. During photosynthesis, we absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air through tiny pores on our leaves, called stomata. Using energy from light, we convert this CO₂ and water into sugars for energy, releasing life-sustaining oxygen (O₂) as a byproduct. Simultaneously, during respiration (which occurs day and night), we intake oxygen and release CO₂, just as you do. This constant gas exchange is our way of breathing, and it incidentally cycles the air around us.
The aspect of the NASA study that specifically involved us, Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum spp.), focused on a more remarkable talent we possess. Beyond simple gas exchange, our root systems and the microorganisms living in the soil around them have the unique ability to absorb certain toxic Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. These compounds are not used for energy like CO₂; instead, we break them down within our tissues through metabolic processes, effectively transforming them into harmless byproducts that we can use or store. We essentially consume these airborne chemicals as a food source, removing them from your indoor environment.
Our leaves act as the primary interface with your indoor atmosphere. The stomata, the microscopic pores on the underside of our leaves, are the gateways for this process. They open to allow for the uptake of CO₂ and, crucially, they can also take in gaseous VOCs present in the air. The compounds absorbed through the stomata are then translocated throughout our vascular system to our roots and the soil microbiome, where they are ultimately broken down. This makes our above-ground foliage just as important as our below-ground root zone in mitigating airborne toxins.
It is vital to understand the scale of our capabilities from our point of view. The NASA study demonstrated our effectiveness in a sealed, controlled chamber—an environment vastly different from a dynamic, ventilated home. In your living space, the volume of air is immense compared to our size. While we continuously and diligently process the air immediately surrounding our leaves and soil, we are not high-volume air scrubbers. Our impact is localized and cumulative over time. Relying on a single Peace Lily to purify the air in an entire room is an unrealistic expectation of our physiological capacity. Our true value lies in being part of a community of plants working together and alongside other air quality solutions.
