Looking to breathe new life into your home? Indoor plants don't just add a splash of green to your living spaces. They can actually clean the air you breathe, removing toxins and pumping out fresh oxygen while serving as stunning decorative pieces.
Air pollution isn't just an outdoor problem. The air inside our homes can be filled with chemicals from cleaning products, furniture, and building materials. NASA's famous Clean Air Study identified several houseplants that naturally filter these harmful compounds. These green warriors work tirelessly to purify your air while looking absolutely gorgeous.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
The Snake Plant might be the ultimate bedroom plant. It releases oxygen at night while you sleep, unlike most plants that release it during the day. This unusual nighttime oxygen production makes it perfect for improving air quality in your bedroom.
NASA research shows Snake Plants filter formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, benzene, and trichloroethylene from indoor air. Their tall, architectural leaves with gold or silver edges make a bold statement in any room. And they're nearly indestructible, thriving on neglect with infrequent watering.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace Lilies are powerhouse air purifiers that remove ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. Their elegant white "flowers" (actually modified leaves called spathes) stand out dramatically against glossy green foliage, making them a designer's dream.
These beauties thrive in low light conditions, making them perfect for those darker corners of your home. They'll even let you know when they need water by dramatically drooping their leaves. Just give them a drink, and they'll perk right back up within hours. No guesswork needed.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston Ferns are humidity-loving champions at removing formaldehyde, which commonly off-gasses from furniture and paper products. Their feathery fronds create a lush, cascading effect that softens any space with a touch of woodland charm.
Place these beauties in hanging baskets or on plant stands where their graceful arching fronds can be fully appreciated. They love moisture and do especially well in bathrooms where they can absorb shower steam. The extra humidity makes them happier while they clean your air.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider Plants are among the easiest air-purifying plants to grow, perfect for beginners or those with less-than-green thumbs. They attack formaldehyde and xylene with remarkable efficiency while producing baby "spiderettes" that dangle from the mother plant on long stems.
These prolific growers look stunning in hanging baskets where their arching leaves and babies can cascade downward. Each baby plant can be snipped off and rooted to create new plants. Share them with friends or expand your air-cleaning army throughout your home.
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Rubber Plants feature large, glossy leaves that efficiently filter formaldehyde from the air. Their dramatic burgundy to deep green foliage creates a stunning focal point in any room. They can grow quite tall indoors, eventually becoming a statement tree in your living space.
These tropical beauties prefer bright, indirect light but adapt to lower light conditions. Their thick, leathery leaves store water, making them somewhat drought tolerant. Wipe those magnificent leaves occasionally to keep them dust-free and maximize their air-purifying potential.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera doesn't just soothe burns and skin irritations. This succulent wonder also filters benzene and formaldehyde from the air. Its spiky, architectural form adds modern flair to any windowsill or bright corner.
NASA scientists discovered that aloe plants can help monitor air quality in your home. When harmful chemicals reach high concentrations, brown spots may appear on the leaves, serving as an early warning system. Talk about a plant that pulls double duty for your health.
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Ivy removes airborne fecal particles and filters out formaldehyde, making it particularly useful in bathrooms. Studies show it can reduce mold spores in the air, a significant benefit for allergy sufferers. Its trailing vines look stunning cascading from shelves or climbing trellises.
This adaptable vine thrives in moderate light and cooler temperatures. Its variegated varieties add extra visual interest with cream, silver, or yellow patterns on the leaves. Train it to grow around a hoop or wire form to create living topiary art while it purifies your air.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese Evergreens rank among the easiest houseplants to grow while effectively filtering benzene and formaldehyde. Their striking patterned leaves in silver, green, pink, and red varieties add a designer touch to low-light areas where few other plants thrive.
These tropical beauties actually grow better in lower light conditions, making them perfect for north-facing windows or office spaces. Newer varieties offer stunning color combinations that look like they've been painted by hand. They grow slowly, requiring minimal maintenance while steadily cleaning your air.
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Gerbera Daisies aren't just for outdoor gardens. These colorful bloomers excel at removing benzene and trichloroethylene from indoor air. Their vibrant flowers in orange, pink, yellow, and red create instant cheer in any room while cleaning the air you breathe.
These flowering plants need at least six hours of sunlight daily to thrive. Place them on bright windowsills or sunny spots where their bold blooms can be admired. Though they require more attention than some air-purifying plants, their combination of flowers and air-cleaning ability makes them worth the effort.
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
Chrysanthemums topped NASA's list for air purification, removing ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene. Their colorful blooms transform any space into a floral showcase while they silently filter toxins from your air. Choose from countless color varieties to match your decor.
These powerhouse purifiers need bright light to keep blooming. When flowers fade, you can either compost the plant or move it outdoors where it may rebloom next season. For continuous indoor air cleaning, rotate new plants into your space every few weeks while the flowers last.
Philodendron
Philodendrons efficiently filter formaldehyde and come in climbing or non-climbing varieties to suit any space. Their heart-shaped leaves in various sizes create visual interest while purifying your air. Some newer varieties feature striking pink, cream, or yellow variegation.
These tropical classics are nearly indestructible, thriving even with occasional neglect. They adapt to various light conditions but prefer bright, indirect light. Their trailing varieties look stunning in hanging baskets or climbing up moss poles, where their air-cleaning surface area increases as they grow.
Dracaena
Dracaena plants remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene from indoor air. With over 40 varieties featuring dramatic sword-shaped leaves, often variegated with stripes of white, cream, or red, they make architectural statements in any room.
These easy-care plants adapt to different light conditions but prefer bright, filtered light. Some varieties like Dracaena marginata (Dragon Tree) can grow quite tall, creating a dramatic focal point. Their upright growth habit makes them perfect for tight spaces where floor space is limited but air purification is needed.
Ficus/Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
Ficus trees excel at filtering formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air. Their graceful, arching branches filled with small, glossy leaves create the appearance of a miniature tree in your living space. They can grow quite large, becoming living sculptures in your home.
These popular houseplants prefer consistent conditions and don't like to be moved once they've adjusted to a spot. They may drop leaves initially when brought home but soon stabilize. Their imposing presence and air-cleaning abilities make them worth the slight adjustment period.
Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Golden Pothos vines are nearly indestructible while filtering formaldehyde from indoor air. Their heart-shaped leaves, often variegated with yellow or white, cascade beautifully from hanging baskets or climb up trellises, walls, or moss poles with some guidance.
These adaptable plants thrive in almost any light condition except direct sun. They'll grow in water alone or soil, making them incredibly versatile. When grown in brighter light, their variegation becomes more pronounced, adding extra visual impact while they quietly clean your air.
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Areca Palms rank high for removing toluene and xylene while adding tropical elegance to your home. Their feathery fronds grow in clumps, creating a light, airy screen that can divide spaces while purifying the air on both sides. They consistently score among the top air purifiers in NASA studies.
These statement plants need bright, indirect light to thrive. They work particularly well in living rooms or large spaces where their 6-7 foot height at maturity creates dramatic impact. Regular misting helps keep their fronds dust-free and maximizes their air-cleaning potential.
Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Bird's Nest Ferns filter formaldehyde and other air pollutants while adding a touch of tropical rainforest to your home. Their wide, rippled fronds emerge from a central rosette that resembles a bird's nest, creating an interesting focal point unlike typical ferns.
These unique ferns love humidity, making them perfect bathroom plants. They prefer indirect light and consistently moist soil. Their broad leaves capture dust particles efficiently, improving air quality through both filtration and absorption of airborne toxins.
Janet Craig Dracaena (Dracaena deremensis)
Janet Craig Dracaenas are workhorses for removing trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from indoor air. Their glossy, dark green leaves create a lush tropical appearance that fits well with any decor style. NASA specifically recommends this variety for serious air purification.
These resilient plants thrive in low to moderate light, making them perfect for offices and homes with limited natural light. They grow slowly but can eventually reach impressive heights of 6-10 feet indoors. Their upright growth habit makes them excellent space-saving air purifiers.
Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)
Lady Palms effectively filter ammonia, formaldehyde, and xylene while creating a luxurious tropical atmosphere. Their fan-shaped fronds grow in clusters on multiple thin stems, creating a bushier appearance than most palms. They're considered some of the easiest palms to grow indoors.
These elegant plants adapt to various light conditions but prefer bright, filtered light. They grow slowly, eventually reaching 4-6 feet tall indoors. Their resistance to pests and diseases makes them low-maintenance choices for long-term air purification and beauty.
Bringing Clean Air Into Your Life
Integrating these air-purifying plants into your home creates a natural filtration system that works around the clock. For maximum effect, place several different varieties throughout your living spaces. Each plant targets specific toxins, so diversity is key to comprehensive air cleaning.
Remember that most houseplants work hardest when they're healthy. Proper light, water, and occasional feeding help them thrive. Dust their leaves regularly to maximize their air-cleaning efficiency. With minimal effort, your indoor garden will reward you with cleaner air and beautiful living decor that transforms your space into a healthier, more vibrant home.