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15 houseplants to improve indoor air quality

Plants help clean indoor air, which is typically far more polluted than outdoor air. Find out what common toxins these plants can filter out of the air in your home.

By Julie KnappThu, May 19 2011 at 10:39 AM EST
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green plant leaves Photo: ivama/Flickr
In the late 1980s, NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America studied houseplants as a way to purify the air in space facilities. They found several plants that filter out common volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Lucky for us the plants can also help clean indoor air on Earth, which is typically far more polluted than outdoor air. Other studies have since been published in the Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science further proving the science. Here's our handy of list of the best air-filtering plants. (Plus, at the bottom of this story, you'll find links about plants that are good for the air and also safe for your pets.)
 
Aloe (Aloe vera)
 
This easy-to-grow, sun-loving succulent helps clear formaldehyde and benzene, which can be a byproduct of chemical-based cleaners, paints and more. Aloe is a smart choice for a sunny kitchen window. Beyond its air-clearing abilities, the gel inside an aloe plant can help heal cuts and burns.
 
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
 
Even if you tend to neglect houseplants, you'll have a hard time killing this resilient plant. With lots of rich foliage and tiny white flowers, the spider plant battles benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene, a solvent used in the leather, rubber and printing industries.
 
Gerber daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
 
This bright, flowering plant is effective at removing trichloroethylene, which you may bring home with your dry cleaning. It's also good for filtering out the benzene that comes with inks. Add one to your laundry room or bedroom — presuming you can give it lots of light.
 
Mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii')
 
This plant is one of the best 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.
 
Golden pothos (Scindapsus aures)
 
Another 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. (Bonus: Golden pothos, also know as devil's ivy, stays green even when kept in the dark.)
 
Chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium)
 
The colorful flowers of a mum can do a lot more than brighten a home office or living room; the blooms also 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.
 
Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
 
The red edges of this easy dracaena bring a pop of color, and the shrub can grow to reach your ceiling. This plant is best for removing xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde, which can be introduced to indoor air through lacquers, varnishes and gasoline.
 
Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
 
A weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) in your living room can help filter out pollutants that typically accompany carpeting and furniture such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. Caring for a ficus can be tricky, but once you get the watering and light conditions right, they will last a long time.
 
Azalea (Rhododendron simsii)
 
Bring this beautiful flowering shrub into your home to combat formaldehyde from sources such as plywood or foam insulation. Because azalea does best in cool areas around 60 to 65 degrees, it's a good option for improving indoor air in your basement if you can find a bright spot.
 
English ivy (Hedera helix)
 
A study found that the plant reduces airborne fecal-matter particles. It has also been shown to filter out formaldehyde found in some household cleaning products.
 
Warneck dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii')
 
Combat pollutants associated with varnishes and oils with this dracaena. The Warneckii grows inside easily, even without direct sunlight. With striped leaves forming clusters atop a thin stem, this houseplant can be striking, especially if it reaches its potential height of 12 feet.
 
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema crispum 'Deborah')
 
This easy-to-care-for plant can help filter out a variety of air pollutants and begins to remove more toxins as time and exposure continues. Even with low light, it will produce blooms and red berries.
 
Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)
 
Also known as the reed palm, 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. It's also a good choice for placing around furniture that could be off-gassing formaldehyde.
 
Heart leaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium)
 
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. Philodendrons are particularly good at battling formaldehyde from sources like particleboard.
 
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
 
Shade and weekly watering are all the peace lily needs to survive and produce blooms. It topped NASA's list for removing all three of most common VOCs — formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. It can also combat toluene and xylene.
 
Also on MNN: 
 

Click for photo credits

Photo credits:
Aloe vera: Wikimedia Commons
Spider plant: Meve13/stock.xchng
Gerber daisy: BevKnits/Flickr
Spider plant: madabandon/Flickr
Golden pothos: elvisripley/Flickr
Chrysanthemum: aplysia_06/Flickr
Dracaena: EzLost/Flickr
Weeping fig: dugasj/Flickr
Azalea: cogito ergo imago/Flickr
English ivy: gorgeoux/Flickr
Warneck dracaena: a_sorense/Flickr
Chinese evergreen: ryoki/Flickr
Bamboo palm: edible plum/Flickr
Heart leaf philodendron: iStockphoto
Peace lily / white cobra: Tahmid Munaz TM/Flickr
 

 

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Related Topics: Clean Air

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anonymous
Stephanie Leonard 04/17/2012 15:19 PM

I work at a nursery that sells all of these plants!! I have most of them in the yard. I guess I'll bring some in the house after reading this. ~~ Mahalo & Aloha

anonymous
Sarah V 04/12/2012 14:31 PM

THANKS!!!!

anonymous
http://earthandhearth.wordpress.com/ 03/07/2012 10:01 AM

Great stuff! I, too have an interest in air quality using plants. I own about 8 of these, but may get more.

anonymous
Angela 02/13/2012 21:11 PM

I have 8 of the plants mentioned. This was great to read, thank you for sharing!!

anonymous
Nutty 12/07/2011 18:23 PM

Chinese Evergreens do not have red berries. They are closely related to the peace lilly and have a very similar flower.

anonymous
Anne Stewart 09/19/2011 15:23 PM

For more recent research see: HortScience 44: 1377-1381 (2009), American Society for Horticultural Science, "Screening Indoor Plants for Volatile Organic Pollutant Removal Efficiency", Dong Sik Yang

The NASA/Wolverton information you have cited is relatively old, although much quoted. Information from Australian research is also showing that it is the whole plant system (the soil, the water, the microbes) that is the important thing. they are also showing that the size of the plant is.... More

anonymous
gaf36801redf 05/29/2011 18:26 PM

I love them all ,have most in my home would like to have all

anonymous
Carrie 05/22/2011 08:29 AM

That is a calla lily not a peace lily photo

anonymous
Jennifer 05/21/2012 06:46 AM

nope, sorry, NOT a Calla Lilly.

anonymous
Marymouse Today 15:07 PM

That really is a peace lily...callas are more wrapped in shape. Have both of these plants at home.

anonymous
Arran 06/09/2011 00:21 AM

Actually, you're incorrect. Those are infact flowers of the peace lily. Just google both plants in google images and you'll see the difference is obvious.

anonymous
guest 06/03/2011 15:32 PM

You are incorrect. That is NOT a calla lily. It is a peace lily.

anonymous
Elisa 05/23/2011 21:37 PM

Although I can see the resemblance, the name on the photo is correct. It is, in fact, a Spathiphyllum, or, Peace Lily.

anonymous
Agnes 05/31/2011 10:44 AM

No, that's a peace lily - unless they changed the photo since your comment. Peace lilies: http://www.google.com/search?q=peace+lily&hl=en&rlz=1T4GGHP_enUS428US428...
Cala lilies: .... More

achase
achase 05/24/2011 10:58 AM

Thanks for weighing in, Carrie and Elisa. It should be correct now.
— MNN Staff

anonymous
Andrew314 05/20/2011 21:40 PM

You have spider plant listed twice. The second one is a snake plant. Just wanted to let you know. Nice plants though.

achase
achase 05/24/2011 10:56 AM

Hi Andrew — Thanks for the heads up. It's been fixed!
— MNN Staff

anonymous
RC 05/20/2011 11:30 AM

Before introducing any of these plants into your home, PLEASE check to see if the plant is toxic to your household pets. Only 3 of the plants in this article are safe, and the other 12 are poisonous, according to a quick check of the ASPCA's excellent and easy-to-use online database

.... More

anonymous
Guest 05/23/2011 07:32 AM

Have had all of these for many years, never lost a pet yet.

anonymous
Brenda Riley 05/20/2011 10:15 AM

I clicked on a link that said: 5 vegetables anyone can grow and got house plants! What's with that?

anonymous
Michelle 05/20/2011 11:28 AM

I too was looking for the 5 vegtables that anyone can grow. Bummer!

ErikaLudwig
ErikaLudwig 05/20/2011 13:37 PM

Here you go guys! This is the link to the story you are looking for. Thanks so much for raising the issue.

http://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/easy-vege...

Best regards,

Erika
MNN staff

ErikaLudwig
ErikaLudwig 05/20/2011 11:40 AM

Oh no! From what page were you directed? We would love to fix the problem.

Thanks,
Erika
MNN staff

anonymous
Faith 05/20/2011 13:37 PM

From the Mother Nature Email.

anonymous
rollzone 05/20/2011 12:55 PM

from my email page

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