Did you know that certain houseplants don’t just make your home look beautiful—they also clean the air around you? Indoor air can contain toxins from common household products like paint, cleaners, and furniture, leading to pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and ammonia. But plants can help! By adding some air-purifying houseplants to your home, you can breathe a little easier, knowing you’re surrounded by fresh, cleaner air. Let’s look at the top 10 best plants to naturally purify your home’s air, along with some simple tips for keeping them happy.
1. Spider Plant
Spider plants are easy to grow and known for their bright green and white striped leaves that drape gracefully from a central root. They’re one of the most beginner-friendly plants out there and help filter out toxins from the air.
- Air Benefits: Spider plants are particularly good at removing formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide. They can even purify air in spaces with limited ventilation.
- Care: These plants are low maintenance and only need watering about once a week. Spider plants also produce “babies” or mini plants that can be repotted, giving you even more air-cleaning plants for your space.
2. Snake Plant
The snake plant, often called mother-in-law’s tongue, is a popular choice for air purification. With its tall, pointed leaves that grow straight up, it adds a stylish touch to any room.
- Air Benefits: Snake plants are great for removing formaldehyde, xylene, and nitrogen oxides. Uniquely, they release oxygen at night, which makes them perfect for the bedroom.
- Care: This hardy plant tolerates low light well but also does fine in brighter areas. It only needs watering every two to three weeks, making it a great choice for people with busy lives or beginners.
3. Peace Lily
Peace lilies are known for their elegant white blooms and shiny green leaves. Not only do they brighten a room, but they also work as natural air purifiers.
- Air Benefits: Peace lilies filter out benzene, formaldehyde, and ammonia, along with other common toxins. They also help increase indoor humidity, which is great for your respiratory health.
- Care: Peace lilies prefer indirect light and usually need watering once a week. If your home has especially dry air, they might need extra water to stay hydrated and maintain their lush look.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a versatile plant that purifies air while also serving as a natural remedy for minor cuts and burns. Its thick, fleshy leaves make it a beautiful addition to any windowsill or desk.
- Air Benefits: Aloe vera filters out formaldehyde and benzene, which are often found in household cleaners. This plant also releases oxygen at night, perfect for keeping your bedroom’s air fresh.
- Care: Aloe thrives in bright, sunny spots and only needs occasional watering. Its leaves hold water, so letting the soil dry out between waterings will prevent root rot.
5. Bamboo Palm
The bamboo palm is a beautiful, tropical plant with long, feathery fronds that give your space a relaxed, inviting feel. It’s also a powerful air purifier.
- Air Benefits: Bamboo palms help remove toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene, which are often found in household items, paints, and furniture.
- Care: This plant does best in indirect light and needs regular watering to keep the soil moist, especially in warm weather. Bamboo palms also enjoy a little extra humidity, so misting the leaves occasionally will keep them thriving.
6. Boston Fern
Boston ferns are known for their lush, cascading fronds. They make a beautiful addition to any room, especially hanging baskets, and are effective at purifying air.
- Air Benefits: Boston ferns are experts at removing formaldehyde and xylene, chemicals that can be found in adhesives, cleaners, and paints.
- Care: These ferns thrive in humid conditions, so they’re perfect for bathrooms or kitchens. Keep their soil moist and mist the leaves regularly to keep them from drying out, especially in dry seasons.
7. English Ivy
English ivy has beautiful, trailing vines with glossy leaves, making it a great choice for hanging baskets or a shelf. It’s also a fantastic air purifier, ideal for people with respiratory sensitivities.
- Air Benefits: English ivy helps to reduce airborne mold and other allergens, making it great for those who are sensitive to indoor pollutants. It also filters out benzene and formaldehyde.
- Care: This plant does best in bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light as well. English ivy prefers a bit of humidity, so bathrooms or kitchens are ideal locations.
8. Rubber Plant
The rubber plant has thick, glossy leaves and a bold look that complements modern and minimalist decor. It’s also known for its ability to clean the air effectively.
- Air Benefits: Rubber plants are highly efficient at removing formaldehyde from the air, absorbing pollutants through their large, broad leaves.
- Care: Rubber plants do best in indirect sunlight. They prefer to dry out a bit between waterings, so check the soil to prevent overwatering. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause leaf burn.
9. Gerbera Daisy
With their cheerful, brightly colored blooms, Gerbera daisies bring a pop of color and fresh air into any room. While they’re a bit more high-maintenance than other plants on this list, they’re worth the effort.
- Air Benefits: Gerbera daisies are excellent at filtering out benzene and trichloroethylene. They also release oxygen at night, which makes them great for bedrooms.
- Care: These plants need bright, indirect sunlight and regular watering to thrive. They do best in well-draining soil and need consistent care to stay healthy and blooming.
10. Golden Pothos
Golden pothos, also known as devil’s ivy, is one of the easiest plants to grow indoors. Its trailing vines look stunning in a hanging basket or on a high shelf, and it’s a powerful air purifier.
- Air Benefits: Pothos plants filter out formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene from the air, making them a perfect addition to rooms with new furniture or carpeting.
- Care: This plant tolerates low light well but thrives best in indirect sunlight. Water only when the top inch of soil is dry, as overwatering can cause root rot.
Why Add Air-Purifying Houseplants?
These plants aren’t just beautiful—they’re natural air purifiers that offer several health benefits. Here’s how air-purifying plants can improve your living environment:
- Clean Air: Many indoor spaces have pollutants from cleaning supplies, paints, and furniture. Air-purifying plants filter out these toxins, making the air healthier.
- Humidity Boost: Plants like peace lilies and ferns increase indoor humidity, which helps with respiratory health and prevents dry skin.
- Mental Health: Greenery has been shown to reduce stress, improve focus, and boost overall mood, adding a sense of calm and balance to your home.
Caring for Your Air-Purifying Plants
Keeping these plants healthy will ensure they do their job of purifying your air. Here are a few tips to maintain your indoor garden:
- Give Them the Right Light: Each plant has different light needs. Some love bright indirect light, while others do well in low light.
- Water Carefully: Most indoor plants don’t like to be overwatered. Let the soil dry a bit before watering, and avoid letting pots sit in standing water.
- Add Humidity: Many air-purifying plants, like ferns and palms, prefer a bit of humidity. Use a humidifier or mist the leaves regularly, especially during dry winter months.
