Indoor plants can boost mood, productivity, reduce stress, and make you happier. But, did you know, according to the NASA Clean Air Study, live plants can cleanse indoor air by reducing unhealthy toxins?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, we spend 90% of our time indoors. This means, we spend 90% of our time breathing in toxins that have built up in our home over time. There are many causes of indoor air pollution including cleaning and beauty products, carpet, furnishings, synthetic building materials, dry cleaned clothing, paint, glues, mold, bacteria, and the list goes on! Adding live plants to your home decor not only filters the air we breathe, but also creates a fresh, new ambiance.
Top 18 Air-Filtering Plants Recommended by NASA
1. Dwarf Date Palm
- Cleanses the air of xylene
- Plant Care: Indirect light | Easy Care | Drought-resistant | Water when top soil becomes dry.
- Shop Dwarf Date Palms.
2. Boston Fern
- Cleanses the air of xylene and formaldehyde | The Boston Fern is one of the top plants in removing Formaldehyde.
- Plant Care | Low / Bright Indirect Light | High Humidity | Requires little watering 30% | Great for bathrooms!
- Shop Boston Ferns.
3. Kimberly Queen Fern
- Cleanses the air of xylene (vehicle exhaust) from the air
- Plant Care | Medium light | Can be grown indoors or out |Regular watering
- Shop Kimberly Queen Ferns.
4. Spider Plant – Excellent Choice
- Cleanses the air of formaldehyde and carbon monoxide | The NASA study found that spider plants removed 95% of formaldehyde within 24 hours.
- Plant Care | Medium to bright indirect light | Allow 50% of the soil to dry out before re-watering | Prefer high humidity
- Shop Spider Plants.
5. Chinese Evergreen*
- Cleanses the air of formaldehyde and benzene
- Plant Care | Easy Care | Low to Medium light | Slow-growing
- Shop Chinese Evergreens.
6. Bamboo Palm
- Cleanses the air of benzene and formaldehyde | Adds moisture to the air
- Plant Care | Bright, indirect light | Misting and Fertilizing
- AKA Areca Palm
- Shop Bamboo Palms.
7. Weeping Fig
- Very Efficient at cleansing the air of formaldehyde, xylene and toluene
- Plant Care | Easy | Bright, Indirect Light | Avoid Direct Sunlight
- Shop Weeping Figs.
8. Devil’s Ivy
- Cleanses the air of benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene | Devil’s Ivy is one of the best at removing these impurities.
- Plant Care | Easy |Hardy | Filtered sunlight | Drought-tolerant
- Shop Devil’s Ivy.
9. Flamingo Lily*
- Cleanses the air of formaldehyde, ammonia, toluene and xylene
- Plant Care | Avoid Direct Sunlight | Mist leaves | Water moderately
- Shop Flamingo Lily.
10. Lilyturf
- Cleanses the air of trichloroethylene, xylene, and ammonia
- Plant Care | Window sill plant (usually grown outdoors) | Bright, natural sunlight | Keep soil moist
- Shop Lilyturf.
11. Broadleaf Lady Palm
- Cleanses the air of formaldehyde, ammonia, xylene and toluene
- Plant Care | Tolerant of low light levels | Water regularly | Ideal for any corner of your home
- Shop Broadleaf Palm.
12. Gerbera
- Cleanses the air of formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene
- Plant Care | Full sun | Water Often | Well-Drained Soil
- Shop Gerbera.
13. Cornstalk Dracaena
- Cleanses the air of formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene
- Plant Care | Indirect sunlight, but can handle low light | Mist
- Shop Cornstalk Dracaena.
Tip: Be sure to avoid purchasing the artificial plants online. The Cornstalk Dracaena plants are large and heavy therefore many are not available online at a reasonable price. I’ve purchased several 4ft plants in the past from Ikea for $30-$40.
14. English Ivy
- Cleanses the air of trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene
- Plant Care | Tolerates low light in intermittent watering | Great bathroom plant!
- Shop English Ivy.
15. Variegated Snake Plant
- Cleanses the air of formaldehyde
- Plant Care | Indirect light | Thrives in humidity | Mist, as needed | Perfect for your bathroom or bedroom
- Shop Snake Plants.
16. Red-Edged Dracaena
- Excellent at cleansing the air of trichloroethylene
- Plant Care | Easy | Bright filtered to low light | Steady room temperature
- Shop Red-Edged Dracaenas.
17. Peace Lily* – My Personal Fave!
- Excellent at air filtration by releasing moisture back into the room and soaking up mold spores | Breaks down and neutralizes benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide.
- Plant Care | Low, Medium, or Indirect Bright light | Allow top 50% of soil to dry before re-watering
- Shop Peace Lilies.
18. Florist’s Chrysanthemum
- Decorate your house and cleanse your indoor air with “mums” during the fall season to add a beautiful pop of color!
- Shop Florist’s Chrysanthemum.
*These plants may be toxic if ingested by dogs, cats, or children. Always double check with your pediatrician or veterinarian.
More information on caring for your plant’s needs can be found: www.houseplant411.com.
Last Thoughts…
While every plant in your home works to purify the air, if you really want to quickly and efficiently cleanse the air of toxins, viruses, and bacteria, it is best to consider a home air purification system. My two favorite brands are the Austin Air and the IQ Air.
Stay tuned for a post on ways to keep your indoor air pure!
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