Breathe Easier: These 7 Houseplants Naturally Purify Your Air

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If you love having fresh indoor air in your home, it’s time to bring in some natural air purifiers – houseplants! That’s right – certain types of houseplants have a limited ability to filter out harmful toxins and pollutants from the air, and it’s backed by science, not vibes.

Table of Contents

We’re going to take a look at the top houseplants that act as natural air purifiers. I’ll explain exactly how effective they are (hint: not as good as HEPA purifiers), how it works and how to care for these plants.

The Limits of Plants as Air Purifiers

Houseplants cannot clean the air in your home by themselves. Well, not much, anyway. They’re even better as part of a layered strategy involving HEPA purifiers, MERV 11-13 filters for central air.

The Science

This all started with a NASA Clean Air Study in 1989. They tested 19 plants and found that 24 hours later, the plants had removed about 87% of the formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. And they had added oxygen, which makes for nicer breathing for us and our pets.

But that was under lab conditions, not typical home conditions.

So then a 2008 study from the government of India looked at office buildings. They found workers in office buildings with plants got 24% fewer headaches, 33% fewer respiratory conditions, and had 12% higher lung capacity compared to workers in offices without plants. That was under real world conditions, so the plants definitely seemed to make some difference.

And again, a study in 2012 agreed with the NASA study, finding that plants significantly improved air quality in schools. Specifically, it said “After 6 potted plants were hung from the ceiling, the mean CO₂ concentration decreased from 2004 to 1121 ppm.” That’s a little over a 50% decrease, and another real world study.

But then a study in 2017 found that when you use real home-like conditions instead of lab conditions, the plants don’t help nearly as much as thought. They make “at best, modest contributions of about 0.9–9% to indoor ozone removal effectiveness.”

And then a 2020 study in the Journal of Environmental Management concluded that if you planted an entire a green wall filled with the right plants, you could get “a horticulturally sustainable internal green wall, and improve the health index in the building interior environments.”

The bottom line? Err on the side of assuming it takes a lot of houseplants to make much difference. Plants do help some, we’re just not sure how much. Almost certainly not enough to take care of a bad mold problem or stop a virus from spreading through the household.

And this is why I said above you’ll get your best air quality not from plants alone, but from plants + HEPA and/or really good filters in your central air. Anybody promising you that a few houseplants will give you perfectly fresh indoor air is not telling the truth.

The Benefits of Air-Purifying Houseplants

Let’s talk briefly about what you can expect of plants in terms of improving indoor air. Did you know the air in your home can actually be more polluted than outdoor air, due to things like:

Off-gassing from furniture, carpets, and building materials
Chemicals from cleaning products
Dust and allergens
Mold and mildew

Breathing in these pollutants all the time you’re at home can have negative effects on your health, causing symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and respiratory issues. That’s where houseplants come in as natural air filters.

Certain plants have the ability to absorb some of these harmful compounds like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene through their leaves and roots. They then break down and remove some of these toxins, releasing clean, oxygen-rich air back into your home.

Top Air-Purifying Houseplants

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

This is the plant NASA looked at in their 1989 study. Again, you would probably need at least 10 of them in a room 10×10 to seriously purify the air.

Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, the snake plant is one of the most popular and easy-to-care-for house plants. It’s known for its ability to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, even at night when most other plants stop this process.

Snake plants are also great at removing formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and xylene from the air. They can thrive in a variety of light conditions, from bright, direct sunlight to low light. Just be sure not to overwater them, as they are prone to root rot.

2. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Also cited in the NASA study, the peace lily is a flowering plant that’s particularly good at removing benzene from the air.

Peace lilies have beautiful white flowers that bloom periodically, adding a touch of elegance to any room. They prefer medium to low light and moist (but not soaked) soil. Keep an eye out for wilting leaves, which is the plant’s way of telling you it needs more water.

3. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

English ivy is a vining plant that can filter out airborne mold and bacteria. If you have a mold problem, it won’t be enough on its own, but could be part of an overall strategy to discourage mold growth.

English ivy prefers bright, indirect light and moist, well-draining soil. Be careful, though – it can be an aggressive grower, so you’ll need to prune it regularly to keep it contained. Place it in a hanging basket or on a high shelf to allow the vines to trail down.

4. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

This one also comes from the NASA study. Also called the reed palm, the bamboo palm is a lush, tropical-looking plant that can remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air. It can grow quite tall, up to 12 feet, so it’s a good choice for larger spaces.

Bamboo palms thrive in bright, indirect light and moist, well-draining soil. They’re also relatively low-maintenance – just be sure to water them regularly and mist the leaves occasionally to keep them looking their best.

5. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

The Chinese evergreen is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that’s helpful in removing formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from the air. It comes in a variety of beautiful color patterns, from solid green to variegated leaves.

Chinese evergreens prefer medium to low light and moist, well-draining soil. They’re fairly drought-tolerant, so you don’t have to worry too much about overwatering. Just be sure to keep an eye out for brown or wilting leaves, which can indicate it needs more water.

6. Dracaena

The dracaena is a diverse genus of plants that are all air purifiers. They’re particularly good at removing formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air. Some popular dracaena varieties include the corn plant, dragon tree, and Janet Craig.

Dracaenas thrive in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. They’re relatively low-maintenance, but be careful not to overwater them, as that can lead to root rot. Prune off any dead or dying leaves to keep your dracaena looking its best.

7. Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

The bright, cheerful gerbera daisy is a flowering plant that can help purify the air in your home. It’s effective at removing benzene and trichloroethylene. Plus, its beautiful blooms add a pop of color to any space.

Gerbera daisies prefer bright, direct sunlight and moist, well-draining soil. They’re not the easiest houseplants to care for, as they can be sensitive to overwatering and temperature changes. But with the right conditions, they’ll reward you with stunning flowers.

Tips for Caring for Air-Purifying Houseplants

Now that you know the top air-purifying houseplants to consider, here are some tips to help them thrive in your home:

Choose the right size and number of plants. The more plants you have, the better they’ll be able to clean the air. Aim for at least one plant per 100 square feet of living space.
Place plants strategically. Put them in high-traffic areas like the living room, bedroom, and office for maximum air-purifying benefits. Avoid dark corners or areas with poor air circulation.
Use the right potting mix. Look for a well-draining, nutrient-rich potting soil formulated for houseplants. Avoid regular garden soil, as it can be too dense for container plants.
Water properly. Different plants have different watering needs, so pay attention to the soil moisture levels. In general, allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings.
Provide the right amount of light. Most air-purifying plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid placing them in direct, intense sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.
Maintain and prune regularly. Trim off any dead or dying leaves or flowers to keep your plants looking their best. Occasionally wipe down the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust.
Be patient and give them time. It can take a few weeks for houseplants to really start cleaning the air in your home. Stick with it, and you’ll start to notice the difference.