Did you know the air inside your home can be more polluted than the air outside? Cleaning products, paints, furniture, and plastics release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde or benzene. Visit our homepage for more tips.
The good news is you don’t need an expensive HEPA filter. NASA, in its famous Clean Air Study, found that certain common plants are natural machines for filtering toxins and generating pure oxygen.
If you’re looking to improve your home’s health (and decorate it in the process), here are the 5 best air-purifying plants that are almost impossible to kill.
1. Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii
It’s the queen of purification. It removes all five major toxins analyzed by NASA (including trichloroethylene and xylene). Plus, it produces beautiful white flowers!
- Light: Indirect or partial shade.
- Watering: Moderate. It ‘tells’ you by drooping its leaves when it’s thirsty.
- Ideal for: The bathroom (it loves humidity) or the bedroom.
2. Snake Plant
Sansevieria trifasciata
Unlike most plants, the Snake Plant releases oxygen at night, making it the perfect companion for better sleep. It’s indestructible: it tolerates low light and forgotten waterings.
- Light: From shade to direct sun.
- Watering: Very little. Let the soil dry out completely.
- Ideal for: Your bedside table.
3. Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
If you don’t have a green thumb, start here. Pothos grows fast, trails decoratively, and filters carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. It’s a warrior plant.
- Light: Adapts to everything, even offices with fluorescent lights.
- Watering: When the soil is dry.
- Ideal for: High shelves or hanging baskets in the living room.
Related: If you like plants that smell good as well as clean the air, check out the False Incense Plant, which also repels mosquitoes.
4. Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum
Perfect if you have pets, as it is non-toxic to dogs and cats (unlike Peace Lily or Pothos, which can be irritating if ingested). It removes 95% of carbon monoxide in 24 hours.
- Light: Bright indirect.
- Watering: Frequent in summer, sparse in winter.
- Ideal for: Kitchens (where carbon monoxide or gas can accumulate).
5. Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica
Its large, waxy leaves trap dust and airborne particles. Besides filtering air, it helps combat bad odors by keeping the environment fresh and oxygenated.
- Light: Lots of indirect light.
- Watering: Keep moist in summer.
- Ideal for: Spacious living rooms or empty corners.
How many plants do I need?
NASA recommends having at least one plant per 10 square meters of space. You don’t have to turn your home into a jungle (though we’d love to), but placing a couple of these purifiers in the places where you spend the most time—bedroom and living room—will significantly improve your quality of life.
Which one will you choose to start with?
