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Contents
12 Natural Air-Purifying Houseplants
As we all know, indoor plants enhance the aesthetic beauty of our homes. However, they provide other much-needed services, too. Plants provide oxygen that humans and animals need for breathing, using the carbon dioxide we exhale for their own health. In doing so, they also clean the air.
Our homes contain toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Plants purify the air from these chemicals which accumulate in the air from furniture or building materials, detergent, and household cleaning products. They also reduce mold growth, maintain humidity, and provide us a stress-free environment.
NASA research leads to discovering air-purifying houseplants
While houseplants decorated homes for many years, the discovery of their health benefits came more recently. B.C. “Bill” Wolverton first discovered the ability of plants to clean heavy toxins such as agent orange in the Florida swamps. That led to further research where he demonstrated the amazing ability of plants to clean air toxins. While he originally researched to aid NASA space exploration, it translated to our homes, too! You can read more about his work and findings <here> and his book is available on Amazon, too!
As his research continued, he discovered that some plants perform this air cleaning much more efficiently than others. While you may choose plants other than the top performers, you might ensure you have at least a few of the top performers.
We’ve compiled a list of 12 air cleaning houseplants to help you choose
ARECA PALM
Areca Palm
The Areca Palm filters toxins from the home like a powerhouse. It targets benzene, carbon dioxide, toluene, and formaldehyde in the air. These chemicals accumulate in the air when we use of detergents, nail varnish or furniture, etc. Four shoulder-high plants of the Areca Palm plant will usually offer one person unpolluted air. This plant is also a good choice if you have pets as it is a non-toxic plant. Areca palm grows best in filtered light with plenty of water.
SPIDER PLANT
Spider Plant
If you desire to purify your environment without much effort, the spider plant is for you. It works like a sponge to absorb chemicals from the air such as carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and benzene. It removes about 90% of indoor toxins in just two days. Moreover, it’s a generous plant of a mother’s nature always teaching us to give and share. This plant produces baby spider plants that can be easily cut off to grow either in soil or water to produce your plant’s family. While the Spider Plant gives you multiple benefits, it doesn’t demand much from you. The occasional watering keeps it quite happy.
CHINESE EVERGREEN
Chinese Evergreen
The uniqueness of the Chinese Evergreen lies in its variegated leaves. With attractive white blooms and red berries, it’s considered very popular among the house plants. As it releases oxygen, the Chinese Evergreen reduces the level of pollutants to provide healthful milieu and reduces respiratory sickness. It prefers low light and well-drained soil. Mist it frequently if your home is not of high humidity.
PEACE LILY
Peace Lily
A Peace Lily can be a gorgeous addition to your side table. The glossy green leaves and pretty white flowers catch everybody’s attention. This good-looking plant works extremely well as an air cleaner. It cleans the air from VOCs (volatile organic compounds). In addition, it absorbs mold spores thereby helping to sustain a mold-free state. The Peace Lily loves humidity. As such, it grows well in the bathroom where it also reduces mold growth on tiles and curtains as well.
GERBERA DAISY
Gerbera Daisy
The Gerbera Daisy flowers grow in a range of colors. Many believe the colors of the daisy indicate feelings. The red daisies express inspiration, pink conveys gratitude, bright orange for happiness, and white symbolizes purity. Like other plants, Gerbera Daisies produce oxygen, and absorb carbon dioxide and other toxins. Place it in your bedroom. It will enhance your mood and helps you sleep better.
SNAKE PLANT
Snake Plant
The Snake Plant possesses a unique character of providing oxygen at night. Keep a snake plant in your bedroom. It works silently when you sleep, converting a lot of carbon dioxide into oxygen. Also known as a Mother-In-Law’s Tongue, the snake plant in your bathroom filters formaldehyde (occur in tissue papers, air fresheners). It diminishes airborne allergens, too. About 6 to 8 snake plants can provide oxygen enough for a person’s health in a small room. The Snake plant doesn’t demand much care. It gladly filters the air for you even after weeks of neglect.
ENGLISH IVY
English Ivy
The English Ivy displays its vines well in a hanging basket or along a trellis. While it makes an ideal houseplant, grown outdoors they readily climb the sides of buildings and fences. The English Ivy absorbs airborne matter, reduces mold growth, and removes benzene. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling of the respiratory tract. In fact, it even helps protect your lungs, spleen, and liver. It helps people with breathing problems. Keep your ivy in a shaded area and train it in the shape you want.
RUBBER PLANT
Rubber Plant
The burgundy glossy leaves of this evergreen plant provide a good amount of oxygen in exchange for the carbon dioxide we exhale. The Rubber Plant also breaks down other toxins such as benzene and formaldehyde. Indeed, it reduces the growth of bacterial and mold spores. To keep this air-purifying houseplant healthy, keep it in indirect light and water occasionally in winter and weekly in summer. Avoid over-watering.
PHILODENDRONS
Philodendrons
A luscious addition to a high shelf or floor space, the Philodendron adds texture to your decor. In favorable conditions, it can grow up to 15 feet. It targets formaldehyde (from furniture, building material, carpets, etc.) in the air. These heart-shaped veiny plants come in a range of sizes and colors. Displaying hearty leaves that look pretty cool, Philodendrons contain toxins. Therefore, these beautiful plants are dangerous for children or pets. However, those choosing to keep them need only find a same place to avoid the dangers. The Philodendron dislikes direct sunlight. Also, don’t over or underwater your philodendrons. For best success, water it when the soil seems dry.
POTHOS
Golden Pothos
Pothos is a high-rated air cleanser. It removes many dangerous chemicals that may affect your health. Pothos plants help keep the environment free from formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and xylene. It can extend up to 10ft. Although the Pothos prefers cascading hanging baskets, they also grow well on a table top. In fact, the trailing vines look amazing over edges of the table display. Moreover, its forgiving nature allows most people to keep it easily. It will survive with some neglect. However, it thrives best with some weekly attention.
BOSTON FERN
Boston Fern
A well-known favorite air-purifying houseplant, the Boston Fern loves humidity. In fact, it serves as a small humidifier, keeping the moisture level of your home. Place Boston ferns in an air-conditioned room as it thrives well at low temperatures. This leafy workhorse removes contaminants such as formaldehyde. It displays beautifully in a tabletop planter. However, the Boston Fern shows equally well in a hanging basket. Remember to mist it regularly. In fact, while many plants don’t like their leaves wet, the Boston Fern requires it.
POINSETTIA
Poinsettia
Known as a Christmas plant, the Poinsettia serves as an air-purifying houseplant, too. It cleans the house air while providing color and interest. It removes chemicals and molds from your home. However, the Poinsettia is toxic. Therefore, you need to ensure that children and pets cannot reach them. Its beautiful bracts and lovely flower will brighten your bedroom’s corner. Sunlight and well-drained soil allow these plants to thrive.
Read more about houseplants for health
12 Air-Purifying Houseplants to Choose
And many more options exist, too! We’ve chosen twelve of our favorites. However, we know you may find others, too.
Filling your home with houseplants does more than just clean the air, however. Plants bring a calming tone to our homes. Like a walk on a forest trail, greenery helps clear our minds as well as our air. Office and commercial designers understand this and build greenery into reception and work areas, malls, and street walks. Restaurants rely on the aesthetics and ambiance plants bring to their decor.
Which plants will you choose? We’d like to hear about your favorites!
I love this. I have a peace lily and never knew this about it. I would love to get some more different variety like the ones you have listed here. Where is the best place to get them? Are they easily grown from seeds or cuttings?
Thank you for your comments and suggestions. We will be adding more information and will be certain to include answers to your questions. I invite you to visit again for our updates.
Thank you for the informative article. I really want to purchase some Chinese Evergreen in my house. Could you please let me know where to get them? Thanks!
Costa Farms has some beautiful Chinese Evergreen and you can easily buy from their Amazon store. https://amzn.to/3e0doPC will take you to one of the many varieties. (This is an affiliate link. If you buy through it, I receive a small commission but your price is unchanged)
Hmmm, I didn´t thought of that!
However, I´m pretty bad at keeping plants alive, lol!
Can you recommend a plant that´s very easy to grow?
Best regards
Thimo
Thank you for your comments. As you may have noted in my “About Me” page, I have also had problems keeping plants alive in the past. As such, I’ve found many plants quite easy to grow and also found ways to keep those more challenging. I’m working on posts and pages now that address the question you ask about recommendations; please check back soon for updates!
A great article and really something I have never thought about regarding the removal of toxins.
I have over the years had 5 of the ones you have mentioned in this article but bought them because of the colour and where they were going.
Thank you for sharing
Thank you for your comments. Yes,many people select houseplants for the way they look, then later find they have other attributes, too. I’m happy you enjoyed the post!
Loved reading about how plants help keep the air clean in our homes. I have always thought this was true, and have had many in the past. I have enjoyed Potnos grown in water because of its self-care ability. Does the fact that it grows in water make it less effective?
I have some in most rooms of my house, and sometimes group then all together on the mantle, or scattered here and there on bookshelves, window ledges, whatever. I just love the perky easy care of this kind of plant. Now I know I am helping our home with better air conditions!
Thank you for your comments. I’m happy you enjoyed reading.
Yes, Potnos grown in water still cleans the air through the leaves, just as those grown in soil. Just remember those frequent water changes! So enjoy them throughout your home!
Oh my goodness,
Your article has really opened my eyes when it comes to plants. I need to get a plant for my living room so this article has come at the right time. I never realised that health benefits of choosing the right plant for the different rooms in your house. Some of the plants I had heard of but a large number of them I had not. Whilst I think the Areca Palm is likely to be the plant of choice for my living room I did like finding out about the Gerbera Daisy which looks very pretty and will now look to get one for my bedroom.
The other interesting and worrying plant I always buy at Christmas is the Poinsettia although my plant never seems to last very long. I will try and use your tips for the one I buy this year.
Perfect timed article for me
Thank you
I am so happy that you find this information at the right time to help you decide. The Areca Palm is indeed a beautiful plant and elegantly graces a living space. I think you’ll enjoy it for decades to come. The Gerbera Daisy is also a beautiful plant.
Your experience with the Poinsettia is common. So many exist for just the holiday season. It is possible, however, to keep them year-round with some care.
Thanks for stopping by and I invite you to visit often.
Hello Diane, thanks for this informative review, it’s very helpful to know importance of plant. Although I never knew plants are so useful and their ability to purify the air, and also this article has really educate me on the air toxins in our home. I hope this article be spread across the globe so as to educate everyone.
I’m happy you found information to use. It’s important to note that without plants on Earth, humans and animals could not exist. They truly are important to us. Please share with others who might be interested.
Thanks for visiting. I invite you to stop back again very soon!
My mum loved growing plants indoors. I remember she had a couple of spider plants, as well as a particularly fine ficus (I think that’s what it was!) which grew up the wall and all around the ceiling of the living room! My goodness, I haven’t thought about that in years! As I’m not that great at keeping plants, I’d probably go for a spider or a snake plant.
Spider plants have been among the most popular houseplants for decades. They are so easy to grow and keep beautiful! Thanks for visiting my site; please stop by again soon!
I enjoyed reading through this article of air purifying houseplant. while growing up with my parents, i usually witnessed my dad getting fresh plant from anywhere i could find them and set them in a jar at home. The poinsettia,Boston ferns, and English Ivy were is favorites. i never asked while he did that, i just enjoyed the view and it’s beauty, but with your post a have a clearer view that he just wanted a purified air for the home.
Your Dad was helping clean the air in your home as well as adding a bit of beauty by bringing in fresh plants. However, if they were cuttings, they would not clean the air. Either way, it sounds like a very happy memory you have.
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Hello dear, thanks for presenting such a great and helpful article on (12) natural air purifining houseplant am really impressed considering the hard work put together to make this informative get to us online your choice of words and skills of writing in expressing the (12) natural air purifying houseplant makes it plain and easy for your readers to understand and form an opinion thanks looking forward to seeing more informative article relating to this in the future
Thank you for your comments! I am happy you found the article interesting and informative. Thanks for visiting and please stop by again soon.
Hello there thanks for this review it was really helpful. Well I have taken out time to make studies as to whether air purifying houseplants actually work. From my research I found out that these plants can absorb many other gases in addition to carbon dioxide, including a long list of volatile organic compounds. Indoor plants remove pollutants from the air by absorbing these gases through their leaves and roots.
Yes, it’s true that the air-purifying plants do so much more for us than just absorbing carbon dioxide. Have you considered which you might add to your home?
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Hello over there, I really want to say a big thanks to you for sharing this fascinating post on air purifying houseplants. This is indeed valuable. I love houseplants and these are really beautiful varieties of beautiful and amazing air purifying houseplants for anyone to choose from. Anyways I think I love the poinsettia plant that’s the christmas plant, it’s really beautiful.
Thanks for visiting. I’m glad that the article helped inform you of some very good plants to help human health!
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very nice post, nicelyy done admin
Thank you for your comments and I’m glad to enjoyed the post. Please visit houseplantjoy.com often and share with your friends.