A Neo Px bioengineered house plant, created by the startup Neoplants, is revolutionizing air purification in homes. Displayed at a residence in San Francisco, California, on May 3, 2024, this plant may look ordinary but functions like a high-tech gadget. Capable of purifying indoor air on a massive scale, Neo Px is the first in a new generation of bioengineered plants with extraordinary abilities. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)
“It’s the equivalent of up to 30 regular houseplants in terms of air purification,” said Lionel Mora, co-founder of Neoplants. “It will capture, remove, and recycle some of the most harmful indoor pollutants.”
Mora’s vision began five years ago when he met Patrick Torbey, a genome editing researcher who aspired to create living organisms with specialized functions. Observing the plants around them, they decided to enhance their natural ability to purify air. Now, several thousand modified pothos plants, green and speckled with white, are grown in a rented greenhouse in Lodi, California, awaiting shipment.
Neoplants launched its first products in the United States in April, finding a ready market among Americans who frequently use air purifiers. The demand has outpaced supply, especially as wildfires heighten the need for cleaner air.
“Wildfires produce benzene, one of the pollutants we target,” said Mora. Indoor air, contaminated by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from everyday items like cleaning products and furniture, can be significantly more polluted than outdoor air, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.
VOCs are associated with severe health risks, including cancer, respiratory issues, and neurological disorders, as highlighted by Tracey Woodruff, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco. Neo Px uses a unique bacterial strain in powder form to absorb these harmful chemicals. “The bacteria colonizes the plant’s roots, soil, and leaves, creating a symbiotic ecosystem that absorbs VOCs,” explained Torbey.
Future plans for Neoplants include producing genetically modified plants with an intrinsic ability to purify air and tackling broader environmental issues like global warming. Enhancements could enable trees to capture more CO2 or develop drought-resistant seeds, according to the founders.
Google product manager Vincent Nallatamby, an early investor, proudly owns a Neo Px in his living room. “I’m often drawn to technological objects, and this one was no exception,” he said. “Convincing my wife was easy this time.”