In our modern lives, we spend most of our time indoors—at home, at work, in shops. While we often think of air pollution as an outdoor problem, a silent threat can be found right inside our homes. The air in a typical house can contain a mix of invisible, harmful chemicals that are constantly being released from everyday items. These chemicals, known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), can originate from a wide range of sources, including paint, furniture made from particleboard, synthetic carpets, cleaning products, and certain types of adhesives.
The presence of these pollutants can be a serious issue. Scientific studies have linked indoor air pollution to a range of health problems, from minor irritations like headaches, fatigue, and allergic reactions to more severe, long-term conditions. It’s a problem that affects people of all ages, but especially those with existing respiratory issues.
The good news is that nature has a powerful and elegant solution. For centuries, people have brought plants indoors for their beauty and to connect with nature. However, it wasn’t until a groundbreaking study by NASA in the 1980s that we truly understood the power of plants as living air purifiers. NASA was looking for a way to clean the air in space stations and found that certain common houseplants were incredibly effective at removing harmful toxins from the air. Since that landmark study, many other research projects have confirmed that certain plants can significantly improve indoor air quality.
This article is your guide to a simple, natural way to improve the air you breathe. We’ll take a deep dive into the top seven houseplants that are scientifically proven to be the most effective at absorbing common household pollutants. We’ll explore what makes each of these plants so special, provide in-depth advice on how to care for them, and offer tips on where to place them in your home for the best results.
The Science Behind Air-Purifying Plants
The process of plants cleaning the air is a natural phenomenon called phytoremediation. While all plants contribute to air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen during photosynthesis, some plants are much better than others at this job. The key to their cleaning power lies in two main parts: the leaves and the soil.
- The Leaves: Plant leaves have tiny pores called stomata. During the day, they open these pores to take in carbon dioxide. While doing this, they also absorb airborne pollutants like VOCs. Once inside the leaf, the pollutants are broken down and used by the plant.
- The Soil: This is a crucial and often overlooked part of the process. The soil and the microbes living in it play an enormous role in air purification. Microorganisms in the soil, such as bacteria and fungi, break down and convert the pollutants into food for the plant. Studies have shown that the organisms in the soil are often even more effective at breaking down certain chemicals than the leaves themselves.
So, when you bring a plant into your home, you are not just getting a pretty decoration. You are adding a complete, small-scale living ecosystem that is actively working to filter and clean the air around you.
Common Indoor Pollutants Explained
To understand how plants help, it’s helpful to know what they are fighting against. Here are some of the most common VOCs found in homes and their sources:
- Formaldehyde: This is one of the most widespread indoor pollutants. It’s a colorless gas with a strong, pungent smell. It is released by a huge number of products, including particleboard and plywood, synthetic fabrics, foam insulation, paper products, and household cleaners. Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and in high concentrations, it can trigger asthma symptoms.
- Benzene: A common chemical in plastics, synthetic fibers, resins, and rubber. It’s also found in tobacco smoke, furniture wax, and some detergents. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene can be harmful to your health.
- Trichloroethylene (TCE): This is a man-made chemical used as a solvent in many industrial products. In homes, it can be released from common items like inks, paints, varnishes, adhesives, and lacquers. It can cause fatigue, dizziness, and headaches.
- Xylene: This chemical is commonly found in a wide variety of household products, like rubber, leather, printing inks, adhesives, and tobacco smoke. Exposure can lead to headaches and dizziness.
- Ammonia: A pungent gas used in many household cleaning products, especially glass and floor cleaners. It can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract.
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
The Snake Plant, also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, is a true champion of indoor air purification. It’s a nearly indestructible plant, making it an excellent choice for anyone, regardless of their gardening skills. The plant has a long history, originating in West Africa, where it was traditionally used for its fibers to make ropes and bowstrings. It has become a staple in homes around the world for its striking, upright leaves and minimal care requirements.
What Makes It a Superstar?
The Snake Plant is an absolute powerhouse at filtering out a variety of toxins, including formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and xylene. It’s also been shown to be effective against toluene, another common pollutant. What sets this plant apart is its unique ability to perform a process called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). This means it takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at night, which is the opposite of most plants. This makes it a perfect addition to a bedroom, where it can actively work to clean the air while you sleep.
Detailed Care and Placement
- Light: While it is tolerant of low light, the Snake Plant will thrive and grow faster in bright, indirect sunlight. Direct, harsh sun can scorch its leaves, so be careful not to place it on a windowsill with full, unfiltered sun.
- Watering: This is the most crucial part of its care. It’s a succulent-like plant that stores water in its leaves, so it does not need frequent watering. The number one cause of problems for a Snake Plant is overwatering, which leads to root rot. Only water it when the soil is completely dry. A good way to check is to stick your finger about two inches into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. In the winter months, when the plant is not actively growing, you can often water it as little as once a month. When you do water, do so thoroughly, letting the water drain out of the pot’s bottom, and then empty the excess water from the saucer.
- Common Problems: Overwatering will cause the leaves to turn yellow and mushy. If you notice this, hold off on watering and allow the soil to dry out completely. Brown tips are often a sign of too much fertilizer or chemicals in tap water. It’s also important to use a well-draining potting mix, such as a cactus mix.
- Best Location: Because it releases oxygen at night, the bedroom is an ideal spot. Its elegant, architectural form also looks fantastic in a living room, dining room, or home office, adding a modern touch to any space.
2. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The Spider Plant is a classic and beloved houseplant, known for its arching green and white striped leaves. It’s incredibly forgiving and easy to care for, making it a favorite for both new and experienced plant owners. It also has the delightful habit of producing “spiderettes,” which are miniature versions of the parent plant that dangle gracefully, making it look like a cascading green waterfall.
What Makes It a Superstar?
This plant is a powerhouse at filtering out formaldehyde and xylene, two common pollutants. The extensive surface area of its leaves allows it to efficiently absorb these airborne chemicals. Additionally, its vigorous growth and ability to produce new plantlets mean that you can easily expand your army of air-purifying plants for free.
Detailed Care and Placement
- Light: Spider Plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight. A location a few feet away from a window or a spot in a room with a lot of natural light is perfect. Too much direct sun can scorch its leaves, causing them to turn brown, while too little light can cause the beautiful variegation (the white stripes) to fade.
- Watering: Water it regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. The best practice is to allow the top inch of the soil to dry out between waterings. One common issue is brown tips on the leaves, which can be caused by chemicals in tap water, such as fluoride. If this happens, try using filtered or distilled water.
- Common Problems: Brown leaf tips are the most common problem and are usually caused by water quality or a lack of humidity. Overwatering can lead to root rot. If you see browning or mushy roots, it’s a sign to let the soil dry out more between waterings.
- Best Location: The Spider Plant looks amazing in a hanging basket, on a high shelf, or on a stand where its graceful spiderettes can cascade down. It’s perfect for a kitchen, living room, or office.
3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
The Peace Lily is a beautiful and elegant plant with dark green leaves and classic white flowers. It is also an incredibly effective air purifier and a very communicative plant. When it gets thirsty, its leaves will droop dramatically, but they will perk right back up as soon as you give it a drink. This makes it a great plant for learning how to read your plants’ needs.
What Makes It a Superstar?
The Peace Lily is a powerhouse when it comes to tackling a wide range of toxins, including ammonia, formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Its ability to absorb mold spores from the air makes it an excellent choice for bathrooms, kitchens, and other humid areas where mold can be a problem.
Detailed Care and Placement
- Light: Peace Lilies thrive in low to medium, indirect light. Direct sunlight is a no-go, as it can scorch their leaves and turn them yellow or brown. A spot several feet away from a window that gets direct sun is a great choice.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. It’s better to underwater slightly than to overwater. When you see the leaves start to droop, that’s your sign. Give it a good soak and watch it bounce back to life within a few hours. Make sure your pot has good drainage to prevent root rot.
- Common Problems: Brown tips on the leaves are often a sign of too much direct sunlight or over-fertilization. Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering.
- Best Location: This plant loves humidity, so a bathroom is a perfect spot. It also looks beautiful in a living room, dining room, or office, adding a touch of elegance and clean air. It’s important to note that the plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can be mildly toxic to pets and children if ingested, so it’s best to place it out of their reach.
4. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
The Boston Fern is a classic and lush plant that brings a touch of the tropics to any room. It’s known for its feathery, beautiful fronds and its amazing ability to humidify and purify the air. These ferns have been popular since Victorian times, when they were a sign of high status and luxury. Today, they are cherished for their air-purifying qualities and their elegant, timeless appearance.
What Makes It a Superstar?
This fern is a top performer for removing formaldehyde from the air. Its dense foliage acts as a natural filter, trapping airborne particles and making the air you breathe feel fresher and cleaner. Boston Ferns are also excellent natural humidifiers, releasing moisture into the air through a process called transpiration. This is a great benefit for people who live in dry climates or have dry skin, as it can help to ease respiratory issues.
Detailed Care and Placement
- Light: Boston Ferns prefer bright, indirect light. A north or east-facing window is ideal. Avoid direct sun, as it can cause the delicate leaves to turn yellow and dry out.
- Watering: This plant loves water! Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid letting it sit in standing water, as this can lead to root rot. Misting the fronds daily with a spray bottle is a great way to keep them happy, especially if you live in a dry climate. You can also place the pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water to increase humidity around the plant.
- Common Problems: The most common problem is the fronds turning brown and dry, which is a sign that the plant is not getting enough water or humidity. If you see this, increase your watering and misting.
- Best Location: Because it loves humidity, the bathroom or kitchen is a fantastic spot. It also looks lovely in a living room or bedroom, especially in a hanging basket or on a pedestal to show off its lush, cascading fronds.
5. Aloe Vera
Most of us know Aloe Vera for its soothing gel, which is a popular remedy for sunburns, minor cuts, and skin irritations. But this plant is also a fantastic addition to your home for its air-purifying qualities. As a succulent, it’s also incredibly low-maintenance and stores water in its leaves, so it doesn’t need to be watered often.
What Makes It a Superstar?
Aloe Vera is a champ at filtering out formaldehyde and benzene, which are common byproducts of chemical-based cleaners and paints. Just like the Snake Plant, it’s a CAM plant, meaning it releases oxygen at night, making it perfect for your bedroom. Having an Aloe plant also provides you with a living, natural remedy right at your fingertips.
Detailed Care and Placement
- Light: Aloe Vera loves bright, direct sunlight. Place it on a sunny windowsill where it can get plenty of light throughout the day. A south or west-facing window is ideal. If it doesn’t get enough light, the leaves will start to grow long and skinny, and the plant may lose its upright shape.
- Watering: Water it sparingly. It’s a succulent, so it’s prone to root rot if overwatered. Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again. This can be as infrequent as every two to three weeks, or even less, depending on the season and light conditions. When you water, soak the soil thoroughly but avoid getting water on the leaves, which can cause them to rot.
- Common Problems: Mushy, yellowing leaves are a sign of overwatering. If the leaves are turning a reddish-brown color, it might be a sign of too much direct sunlight.
- Best Location: The kitchen or a sunny bedroom window is an ideal location. It not only cleans the air but also provides you with a natural first-aid remedy for minor skin issues.
6. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
The Golden Pothos is arguably one of the most popular and easiest-to-grow houseplants in the world. It’s incredibly forgiving, fast-growing, and beautiful with its heart-shaped leaves that can trail for many feet. The plant is native to the Solomon Islands and is known for its ability to thrive in a wide range of conditions, which is why it has become such a beloved indoor plant.
What Makes It a Superstar?
The Golden Pothos is an excellent filter for formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide, which makes it a great choice for kitchens and living spaces where these pollutants might be present. It is also one of the most effective plants at removing these chemicals from the air, according to scientific research.
Detailed Care and Placement
- Light: This plant is adaptable and can tolerate a wide range of light conditions, from low to bright, indirect light. The leaves will have more variegation (the yellow streaks) in brighter light. If the plant is in low light, the leaves will be a solid green color.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. It’s more tolerant of underwatering than overwatering. A good rule of thumb is to water it once every one to two weeks, depending on the light and humidity.
- Common Problems: Yellowing leaves at the bottom of the plant are often a sign of overwatering. If the leaves are turning brown, it might be a sign that the air is too dry.
- Best Location: A high shelf or a hanging basket is a perfect place for a Pothos, as its vines will gracefully trail down. It also looks great on a desk or in a bathroom where its trailing vines can hang over the edge of a counter. It’s important to note that the leaves are toxic if ingested by pets or children, so keep them out of their reach.
7. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Ivy is a beautiful and versatile plant that can be grown as a groundcover outdoors or as a trailing houseplant indoors. It’s known for its dense foliage and its ability to act as a powerful air filter. The plant has a long history, appearing in ancient Greek and Roman culture as a symbol of fidelity and eternity.
What Makes It a Superstar?
English Ivy is particularly good at removing formaldehyde from the air, a chemical commonly found in household cleaners, wood finishes, and furniture. A study by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology found that English Ivy can reduce airborne fecal particles and mold, making it a good choice for bathrooms or areas with poor air circulation.
Detailed Care and Placement
- Light: This plant prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, which can burn its delicate leaves. It can tolerate lower light, but its growth may be slower.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. It doesn’t like to be too dry. A good way to tell if it needs water is to feel the soil. If the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water.
- Common Problems: Brown, crispy leaves are a sign that the plant is not getting enough water or humidity. Yellowing leaves can be a sign of overwatering. English Ivy is also prone to spider mites, so it’s a good idea to mist the plant regularly and inspect it for any pests.
- Best Location: Because it thrives in cooler, humid conditions and is effective at filtering out mold, English Ivy is great for bathrooms and basements. It also looks elegant in a hanging pot or on a high shelf, where its long vines can trail down gracefully. Similar to the Pothos, be aware that it can be toxic to pets and children if ingested.
A Holistic Approach: Beyond the Plants
While these seven plants are a fantastic first step towards cleaner air, it’s important to remember they are not a complete solution. For the best results, you should also consider these things:
- Ventilation: Regularly opening your windows for a few minutes each day, even in winter, can help circulate fresh air and release pollutants.
- Reduce Sources: Try to use natural, plant-based cleaning products and choose low-VOC paints and furniture when possible. This is the first step in a healthier indoor environment.
- Regular Cleaning: Dusting and vacuuming regularly with a HEPA filter can help to reduce airborne particles and allergens.
- Air Purifiers: While plants are great, a high-quality air purifier with a HEPA filter can be a great addition to your home, especially if you or someone in your family has allergies or asthma.
Conclusion
Creating a healthier indoor environment doesn’t have to be complicated. By adding these seven houseplants to your home, you’re not only bringing in beautiful, natural decor, but you’re also creating a living, breathing air purification system that works 24/7. These plants are easy to care for, effective, and bring a sense of calm and well-being to any space.
Start with one, or try a few, and you’ll be on your way to breathing easier and living a healthier life, one leafy green friend at a time.