Top Air-Purifying Houseplants
Did you know that your home (old or new) could be harboring unhealthy (and invisible) toxins? These chemical compounds are found in emissions from paint, plastics, carpet, cleaning solutions, and numerous building materials. There are 3 major offenders:-
- Formaldehyde: in carpets, upholstery, glues, paint
- Benzene: in plastics, synthetic fibers, lubricants, rubber, pesticides,
- Trichloroethylene: in paint removers, rug cleaning solution, adhesives.
Nature can help to improve and combat poor Indoor air quality. There are many powerful air-purifying plants that naturally remove pollutants from the air – thus improving Indoor Air Quality. Here is a list of 15 of my favorite air-purifying plants – plus how to take care of them.
15 Air-Cleaning Houseplants
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum). According to a 1918s NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America study, peace lilies can absorb benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, toluene and xylene. Peace lilies are a perfect plant for those among us with a brown thumb 🙂 They are easy to grow and require minimal care. Just put them in a shady spot and keep the soil moist without over watering. These plants will flower for much of the summer. Please note that those flowers (like all flowers) do contribute some pollen and floral scents to the air, so you may want to avoid having a room full of them. To maximize the plant’s air-cleansing potential, keep the foliage dust-free.
Pristine white blooms are a bonus with this efficient Peace Lilly plant
- Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata). These ferns remove more formaldehyde than any other plant. They’re also highly efficient at removing other indoor air pollutants, such as benzene and xylene. Unfortunately, this fern is high maintenance. You need to feed them weekly in seasons when they’re growing, monthly during the winter, and they like to be watered regularly. Depending on the humidity and moisture levels in your home, you may need to water them or mist their leaves daily 😥 . The Kimberley Queen is another great fern for formaldehyde removal. It is a larger, broader-leafed fern than the Boston fern. It has a high transpiration rate which makes it a great choice if you have particularly dry indoor air. It is said to be “one of the best natural humidifiers of all houseplants tested.”
Boston ferns prefer to clean the air from a cool location with high humidity and indirect light
- Aloe Vera. This easy-to-grow, sun-loving plant helps remove formaldehyde and benzene from your indoor space. Both can be a byproduct of chemical-based cleaners, paints and more. Aloe will thrive when placed in a sunny kitchen window. In addition to its air-clearing abilities, the gel inside an aloe plant contain a clear liquid full of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, and other compounds that have wound-healing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Aloe Vera
- Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium). While anthurium and orchids do a good job purifying the air, the florist’s chrysanthemum (AKA “mum”) is one of the best. Although this is not considered a houseplant, this seasonal beauty flowers for about six weeks with proper care. The blooms help filter out benzene, which is commonly found in glue, paint, plastics and detergent. This plant loves bright light, and to encourage buds to open, you’ll need to find a spot near an open window with direct sunlight. Check the soil’s moisture every other day, and keep it damp. Don’t bother with fertilizer, as it won’t re-bloom.
Mums can remove ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene from indoor air
- The Areca palm removes CO2 and converts it into oxygen. This small palm thrives in shady indoor spaces and often produces flowers and small berries. It tops the list of plants best for filtering out both benzene and trichloroethylene. They’re also a good choice for placing around furniture that could be off-gassing formaldehyde. To care for these plants, simply wipe the leaves once a week and keep the soil moist. You should feed your plant monthly during summer with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer. Placing the plant where air circulates freely and occasional misting both help deter spider mites.
- Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’) AKA Mother-In-Law’s tongue. This plant is called a bedroom plant, because it converts CO2 into oxygen at night. It is one of the best plants for filtering out formaldehyde, which is common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissues and personal care products. Put one in your bathroom — it’ll thrive with low light and steamy humid conditions while helping filter out air pollutants.
Mother-In-Tongue
- Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum, Scindapsus aures), AKA Money Plant is a powerful plant for tackling formaldehyde. This fast-growing vine will create a cascade of green from a hanging basket. Consider it for your garage since car exhaust is filled with formaldehyde. It tolerates a lot of neglect and is forgiving when over-watered – It thrives when grown in hydroponics environment.
This plant is also know as devil’s ivy, hunter’s robe, ivy arum, silver vine, Solomon Islands ivy and taro vine.
- Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii) tops the list of plants best for filtering out benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene. This sturdy palm grows between three and six feet tall and also transpires a healthy bit of moisture into a room, making it particularly welcome in dry winter months. Although this palm requires bright light to flourish, don’t place it in direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist and feed the plant monthly during summer with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer.
- English Ivy (Hedera helix) This is an evergreen climbing plant that is well adapted to indoor conditions. They’re easily grown as houseplants in hanging baskets or containers and are an excellent choice for low-light situations. English Ivy is recommended for removing allergens such as mold and animal feces. In addition, they remove benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.
It’s easy to grow as topiary and use as a decorative element in your living spaces.
Green-leaved varieties will grow in bright indirect light and low-light situations. Pale, variegated forms need bright, indirect light to thrive. Water generously during growth and keep compost moist but not waterlogged through the winter months. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during growth.
- Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum). This resilient plant with lots of rich foliage and tiny white flowers battles benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene, a solvent used in the leather, rubber and printing industries. The spider plant is a fan of bright, indirect sunlight. They will send out shoots with flowers that eventually grow into baby spider plants or spiderettes. As an added bonus, this plant is also considered a safe houseplant if you have pets in the house.
One of the most adaptable of houseplants and the easiest to grow.
- Dracaena marginata. This plant is best for removing xylene, toluene, benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde, which can be introduced to indoor air through lacquers, varnishes and gasoline.This large group of houseplants offers selections in all shapes, sizes, and colors. The tall corn plant (D. fragrans ‘Massangeana’) looks at home in a corner, while the colorful striped leaves of ‘Lemon Lime’ (D. deremensis ‘Lemon Lime’) and the day-glow ‘Limelight’ (D. deremensis ‘Limelight’) brighten up a dark spot. These selections flourish in low light, while the Madagascar Dragon Tree (D. marginata) prefers bright light.
This group of diverse shaped plants consist of approximately 40 or so assorted species
Keep the soil damp but not soggy. A pot sitting in a water-filled saucer is the kiss of death for this plant. Feed monthly during spring and summer with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer.
- Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) A ficus in your living room can help filter out pollutants that typically accompany carpeting and furniture such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. Grow this low-maintenance houseplant in bright, indirect light and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
A genus of about 850 species of woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes and hemiepiphytes in the family Moraceae
- Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema spp.) Chinese evergreen plants are perennials from tropical forests in Asia. They’re usually grown as foliage plants where they produce numerous leaves, which are attractively patterned or variegated in some varieties. They remove carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and benzene.
Even with low light, Chinese evergreen will produce blooms and red berries.
They prefer well-drained potting soil, filtered light and high humidity. Water moderately and allow compost to almost dry out before watering. During the growing season, provide a balanced liquid fertilizer. Repot every two to three years.
- Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica). Also called the rubber bush, rubber tree, or Indian rubber bush is a species of plant in the fig genus, native to northeast India, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Tests have shown that rubber plants are especially efficient at removing formaldehyde from the air. They also eliminate carbon monoxide, and trichloroethylene.
Their leaves are typically broad, deep green and shiny. Some varieties exhibit cream variegated and purple tinged foliage.
Grow these plants in full or bright, filtered light. Water moderately and apply a high nitrogen fertilizer monthly. Keep the compost moist in winter. Some pruning may be necessary to reduce plant size. Retain leaf shine by wiping with a damp cloth periodically.
- Heart leaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium) Also known as Sweetheart Philodendron are particularly good at battling formaldehyde from sources like particleboard This dark green, shiny, heart-shaped leaf plant looks great as a table or hanging plant. They are probably some of the most popular indoor plants we use in homes and offices because they thrive on neglect and are almost impossible to kill.
Philodendrons prefer moderate to low light
This climbing vine plant isn’t a good option if you have kids or pets — it’s toxic when eaten, but it’s a workhorse for removing all kinds of VOCs.
As indoor air pollution poses new concerns worldwide, cost effective and easy-to-implement methods are needed to eliminate or reduce ozone concentrations. Activated charcoal filters reduce air pollutants, but installation and maintenance costs can be high. Now, research shows alternatives—including the use of common houseplants will improve indoor air quality and health.
*Tip: In a 2,000 square foot house, bring in 15 to 20 plants in 6-inch pots or larger. Rather than scattering single plants, create group displays in each room for a great look and maximum air quality. Adjust accordingly for larger or smaller homes. Before purchasing, ask about which plants could be harmful to pets if ingested.
