Plants That Remove Heavy Chemicals from Soil - Phytoremediation

Did you read that right? You sure did! There are plenty of scientific studies on this process in the education world. I will review the basics... so, now you know!

Phytoremediation

Definition

Phytoextraction/Phytoremediation: Restoration of environments with the help of plants removing heavy metals and other contaminants.

Use

Can be used in mining / industrial locations. Some plants can even remove radioactive material.

Pros

1. Accepted by society as an alternative eco-friendly way of removing chemicals

2. Cleans depth of about 24 inches - Poplar trees can be used for deeper depths

3. Can remove Pb, As, Cr, Hg, Ni, Cu

4. Process is used in hydroponics and is called hyperaccumulating, the plants themselves being hyper accumulators

Cons

1. Plant will need to be disposed of via burning or garbage barge

2. Plant becomes inedible

3. Still a new concept / field tests being done in US to further understand

4. Some plants release chemicals back into the air

List of Plants & Heavy Metals They Remove:

Plant	Heavy Metal
Alpine Pennycress	Cd, Zn
Chinese Brake Ferns	As
Corn	Pb, Ti
Cocklebur	Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn
Commelina	Cu
Hemp	Cd
Geranium	Pb
Lettuce	Ni, Co, Fe
Mustard	Pb
Moose Ear Cress	Cd, Zn
Nightshade Black Vyges	Cd, Pb
Pigweed
Rattlebush	Pb
Ryegrass	Ni, Co, Fe
Sedum Alfredii Hance	Pb
Tobacco	Cd

Having this information at your fingertips can also give you insight on why it would be unsafe to eat specific plants in a region where manufacturing or mining is done. These plants hold onto heavy metals, thus can be transferred into your body by eating them.

Think of the Flint water crisis in Michigan. There are high amounts of lead, if you water your lettuce with the water the lettuce will absorb a good majority of that lead.

Hope you learned something new today!

~DIY With Chelsea

7.12.2025