Looking to breathe easier?
While NASA’s groundbreaking 1989 Clean Air Study initially sparked interest in plants as natural air purifiers, recent research from the University of Birmingham showed that common houseplants can reduce indoor nitrogen dioxide levels by up to 20% in small offices.
Here’s a curated selection of the most effective air-purifying plants that can help create a healthier home environment.
1. Peace Lily
This elegant flowering plant stands as a champion air purifier, effectively removing formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from indoor spaces. Peace lilies thrive in low-light conditions and require regular watering to maintain their striking white blooms.
2. Snake Plant
Nicknamed Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, this hardy succulent releases oxygen at night and filters out formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene. Beginners and busy households will appreciate the minimal care requirements of this resilient plant.
3. English Ivy
Perfect for bathrooms, this versatile vine excels at reducing airborne fecal particles and filtering out formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and toluene. Regular watering and four hours of direct sunlight daily will keep this climber thriving.
4. Bamboo Palm
As an excellent natural humidifier, the bamboo palm effectively removes formaldehyde, xylene, and trichloroethylene from indoor spaces. Its tropical appearance adds an exotic touch while purifying air in low-light conditions.
5. Boston Fern
Recognized as one of the most effective air-purifying plants, Boston ferns excel at removing formaldehyde, xylene, and other common pollutants. These humidity-loving plants prefer indirect light and consistent moisture.
6. Rubber Plant
With its broad, glossy leaves, the rubber plant efficiently filters out benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde. Its striking appearance makes it an attractive addition to any room while actively cleaning the air.
7. Philodendron
Famous for its large, glossy green leaves, the philodendron excels at removing formaldehyde from building materials. The adaptable nature of this classic houseplant makes improving indoor air quality remarkably simple.
8. Areca Palm
This tropical beauty acts as both an air purifier and natural humidifier, effectively removing toxins while adding moisture to the air. It thrives in bright, indirect light and requires regular watering during growing seasons.
9. Weeping Fig
The weeping fig’s broad, lush foliage naturally filters formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from indoor environments. Its striking appearance adds visual interest while actively purifying the air.
10. Gerbera Daisy
Adding a vibrant pop of color, these cheerful flowers excel at removing benzene and trichloroethylene from the air. They require plenty of direct sunlight and regular watering to maintain their air-purifying abilities.
11. Spider Plant
Research shows spider plants effectively remove particulate matter from indoor air, with accumulation rates varying based on room activity. Their adaptability to various light conditions makes them excellent air purifiers for any space.
12. Devil’s Ivy
Also known as golden pothos, this nearly indestructible plant removes harmful VOCs including formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene. Its exceptional air-cleaning abilities have even attracted attention from biotech companies developing enhanced air-purification systems.
13. Madagascar Dragon Tree
Dracaena marginata or the Madagascar Dragon Tree stands out among Dracaena varieties for its exceptional ability to remove trichloroethylene, xylene, and formaldehyde from indoor air. Its distinctive narrow, burgundy-edged leaves grow in fountain-like clusters atop slim stems.
Source:
1. University of Birmingham
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.