Indoor air quality is something we often overlook, but it can significantly impact our health and well-being. Fortunately, certain houseplants can help purify the air by absorbing harmful pollutants and releasing fresh oxygen. Adding these plants to your home not only enhances its beauty but also creates a healthier living environment.
In this article, I’m thrilled to share 11 plants that are known for their air-purifying abilities. Each of these plants has been studied and proven to remove specific toxins from the air, making them excellent choices for improving indoor air quality. Let’s explore these wonderful green allies and discover how they can help you breathe easier at home!
Snake Plant
One of my favorite plants, the snake plant, also known as Sansevieria or mother-in-law’s tongue, is a fantastic air purifier. This hardy plant is known to absorb toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and toluene. It also converts CO2 into oxygen at night, making it a great addition to bedrooms!
Snake plants are incredibly easy to care for. They thrive in low to bright indirect light and require minimal watering. Just be sure to let the soil dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. With its striking, upright leaves, the snake plant adds a modern touch to any room while improving air quality.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are excellent at removing pollutants like formaldehyde, xylene, and carbon monoxide from the air. These resilient plants are perfect for beginners due to their low maintenance needs and rapid growth. They also produce “babies” or offshoots that can be easily propagated!
To keep a spider plant happy, place it in bright, indirect light and water it regularly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Spider plants can also tolerate lower light conditions, making them versatile for different indoor environments. Their arching leaves and small white flowers add a touch of elegance to any space while purifying the air.
Peace Lily
The peace lily is not only beautiful with its glossy leaves and white blooms, but it’s also a powerful air purifier. It’s known to absorb toxins such as ammonia, formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Peace lilies can improve air quality significantly, especially in areas with poor ventilation.
To care for a peace lily, place it in low to moderate light conditions and keep the soil consistently moist. They thrive in high humidity, so misting the leaves occasionally can help. Peace lilies are perfect for offices and living rooms, adding a touch of tranquility while cleaning the air.
Boston Fern
Boston ferns are excellent at removing pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene from the air. These lush, feathery plants are particularly effective in humid environments and can add a refreshing greenery to bathrooms or kitchens.
Boston ferns prefer indirect light and high humidity. Keep the soil consistently moist and mist the leaves regularly to maintain humidity levels. These ferns can be a bit finicky, but their air-purifying capabilities and beautiful fronds make the extra care worthwhile!
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is well-known for its medicinal properties, but did you know it also helps purify the air? Aloe vera is effective at removing formaldehyde and benzene, which are commonly found in household cleaning products and paints.
Aloe vera plants prefer bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Water them sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Aloe vera’s succulent leaves add a touch of the tropics to your home while providing fresh, clean air!
English Ivy
English ivy is a versatile plant that can effectively remove mold spores, formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air. Its trailing vines and classic look make it a popular choice for hanging baskets or as a ground cover in larger pots.
To grow English ivy, place it in bright, indirect light and keep the soil evenly moist. English ivy can tolerate lower light conditions, but it thrives best in brighter environments. Its air-purifying abilities and lush greenery make it a lovely addition to any home.
Rubber Plant
The rubber plant, with its large, glossy leaves, is excellent at removing pollutants such as formaldehyde from the air. It’s also effective at increasing the overall oxygen levels in your home, making it a great plant for improving indoor air quality.
Rubber plants prefer bright, indirect light and should be kept in well-draining soil. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, and wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them dust-free and healthy. With its bold foliage and air-purifying properties, the rubber plant is a striking addition to any room!
Dracaena
Dracaena plants are effective at removing a variety of pollutants, including benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene. With their long, slender leaves and various patterns, dracaenas add a tropical touch to any indoor space.
Dracaenas thrive in bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions. They prefer well-draining soil and should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry. These plants are relatively low-maintenance and can adapt to different indoor environments, making them a great choice for air purification.
Bamboo Palm
The bamboo palm, also known as the reed palm, is highly effective at removing formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air. This elegant palm adds a touch of tropical beauty to your home while purifying the air.
To care for a bamboo palm, place it in bright, indirect light and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. These palms thrive in high humidity, so misting the leaves occasionally can help. Bamboo palms can grow quite tall, making them a perfect statement piece for any room!
Golden Pothos
Golden pothos, also known as devil’s ivy, is an incredibly resilient plant that thrives in low light conditions. It’s particularly effective at removing formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and toluene from the air. Its trailing vines make it ideal for hanging baskets or as a cascading feature on a shelf.
To grow golden pothos, place it in a pot with well-draining soil and water it when the top inch of soil feels dry. Pothos can tolerate low to bright indirect light, making it very versatile. Its heart-shaped leaves and easy care requirements make it a favorite among indoor gardeners!
Gerbera Daisy
Gerbera daisies are not only vibrant and colorful but also excellent at removing benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air. These cheerful flowers can brighten up any room while improving air quality.
To care for gerbera daisies, place them in bright, indirect light and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. They prefer cooler temperatures and good air circulation. With their stunning blooms and air-purifying abilities, gerbera daisies add a burst of color and freshness to your home!
Will houseplants really clean my air?
The idea that houseplants can absorb indoor air pollution has been popularized by various studies and media reports. But the extent to which houseplants can effectively clean indoor air in real-world settings is probably more limited than some of these studies.
Houseplants do have the ability to absorb certain indoor air pollutants, but their effectiveness in significantly improving indoor air quality in real-world conditions is probably fairly limited. If you have a serious indoor contamination issue, plants won’t fix it for you by themselves. They are better viewed as a complementary method rather than a primary solution for indoor air purification.
For substantial improvement in indoor air quality, relying on proper ventilation, air purifiers, and reducing sources of indoor pollution is more effective.
