Did you know the air inside your home can be 2-5x more polluted than the air outside? The average person inhales 6 liters of air per minute.
Yikes! This makes us cringe too, which is why we advocate for indoor plants that clean the air throughout the home. By doing so, you can harness powerful air filtration properties provided by Mother Nature. Just like storing and growing your own fresh herbs, this is the kind of ‘green detox’ we can get behind.
According to the CDC, some of the most common sources of indoor air pollution are:
- Mold
- Pollen
- Dander from pets
- Secondhand smoke
- Formaldehyde
- Household cleaners and pesticides
- Carbon monoxide
- Fumes from paint and drywall
While air cleaning plants can’t tackle all the toxins we’re throwing their way, they can improve the overall air quality, which reduces the environmental stress on our bodies. So in this article, we’ll share some suggestions of the best indoor plants for clean air to enhance your home. But first, let’s answer some frequently asked questions about air cleaning plants.
Do Plant Air Purifiers work?
Yes, plant air purifiers do work to an extent. Some air purifying plants have been shown to remove toxins from the air and absorb harmful substances through their leaves and roots while converting them into harmless compounds.
While they can’t replace the efficiency of electronic air purifiers, they can contribute to improved air quality. Including a variety of indoor plants that clean the air can help create a healthier and more pleasant environment. And like planting your own indoor herb garden, they’ll add a touch of nature inside your home.
Do Air-Purifying Plants Get Rid of Smells?
The best air-purifying plants can be pretty effective in freshening up your indoor environment. But their ability to tackle strong odors is more about subtlety than outright elimination.
Some plants that purify the air can mildly improve air quality, which may indirectly decrease odors. But for more significant or stubborn smells, combining these green friends with other methods like proper ventilation or using an electronic air purifier would give you the best results.
A multi-pronged approach like this ensures your living spaces remain not only easy on the eyes, but pleasant on noses, too. With that in mind, let’s talk about 20 of our favorite plants that clean the air inside your home.
What Plants are Good for Clearing the Air?
Boston Fern
This fern ranks the highest out of all air purifying plants tested in its ability to remove formaldehyde. It also helps with removing other indoor air pollutants like xylene, a common solvent ingredient. This makes it an excellent choice for both homes and offices looking to improve indoor air quality.
Bamboo Plant
Bamboo tends to grow best in outdoor spaces. But it also scores very high in its ability to remove formaldehyde from the air. It also effectively removes benzene—an ingredient used to make dyes, lubricants, rubbers, and detergents—and trichloroethylene, an industrial solvent.
Philodendrons
Easy to grow and thrive with little attention, these indoor plants that clean air can provide years of detoxifying for your home or office. They’re particularly good at absorbing higher concentrations of xylene and trichloroethylene while adding a functional yet decorative element to any indoor space.
Dwarf Date Palm
This palm scores very high for its ability to remove airborne chemicals, and is especially effective at ridding the air of xylene. It’s also adept at filtering out other toxins like toluene.
Ficus Alii
This slender, leafed tree is effective at removing chemical vapors from the air and grows easily indoors while resisting most insects. The Ficus Alii adds a touch of elegance to any room, which makes it a favorite among plants that clean air for both its utility and visual appeal.
Spider Plant
The spider plant is known not only for its graceful foliage but also for its formidable air-cleaning abilities. This resilient plant effortlessly removes carbon monoxide and benzene.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant is a low-maintenance and drought-tolerant houseplant known for its ability to absorb toxins such as xylene, toluene, and benzene from indoor air. Its waxy, shiny leaves reflect sunlight and brighten rooms.
Peace Lily
The peace lily thrives in low-light corners. As one of our favorite indoor plants that clean the air, it’s a natural purifier that tackles ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. It also doubles as a natural humidifier for your indoor spaces like the bathroom.
Rubber Plant
Known for an ability to remove formaldehyde and other pollutants, a rubber plant may not be a real plant, but it’s certainly a resilient addition to any indoor setting. Perfect for homes with low light and cooler climates.
Snake Plant
One of our favorite air purifying plants that’s ideal for the bedroom, the snake plant stands out with its striking, upright leaves. It can target a host of harmful pollutants including formaldehyde and benzene, all while demanding minimal care.
Dracaena
Dracaena varieties remove several toxins like benzene and xylene. They’re also incredibly adaptable, which makes them suitable for various indoor decors. Their varied leaf colors and patterns help brighten rooms while cleaning the air.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera does double duty on our list of indoor plants that clean the air. It not only can improve air quality inside your home by removing formaldehyde and benzene, but also serves as a handy remedy for cuts and burns. This succulent is no doubt beneficial for your health.
Lady Palm
The lady palm can work wonders with removing indoor air pollutants such as ammonia. With its easy-to-grow nature and suitability for shaded areas, it’s an excellent plant for air purification.
Chinese Evergreen
With its tolerance for low light and ability to remove air pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde, the Chinese Evergreen is perfect for indoor areas that receive less natural sunlight. Among air purifying plants, its lush leaves bring a touch of the tropics to any indoor setting.
Golden Pothos
The golden pothos is known to effortlessly remove formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene. They’re incredibly resilient, thrive in low light, and tolerate irregular watering. This makes it ideal for busy or forgetful plant owners.
Areca Palm
The areca palm is celebrated among indoor plants that clean the air because of how effective it can be with removing toluene and xylene. Beyond its purifying capabilities, its lush, feathery fronds add a tropical look to your home that’s especially noticeable during spring.
Kimberly Queen Fern
This fern excels at clearing out formaldehyde and other indoor pollutants. Its lush green fronds contribute to both air purification and visual appeal in any indoor space while thriving best in indirect light.
Corn Plant
Corn plants are especially effective at removing formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene. Their distinctive woody trunk and long, arching leaves make it not only a powerful air purifier but also a striking decor element.
Weeping Fig
The weeping fig can filter out pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene from indoor environments. This plant prefers indirect light and can grow quite tall to make it a striking addition to interior spaces.
English Ivy
Last but certainly not least on our list of indoor plants that clean the air is the English Ivy. It excels at reducing airborne fecal particles and formaldehyde. These qualities make it an exceptional choice for homes needing to reduce mold.
Breathe Easier with Air Purifying Plants
Incorporating air-purifying plants into your home not only improves your decor but can do wonders for indoor air quality. From Boston ferns to peace lilies, choosing any of the indoor plants that clean the air we’ve shared in this article will provide you with a healthier living environment.
When you do, consider placing them in any one of our Dorai Stone Saucers (available in large and small). They offer a clean, stylish setup that keeps surfaces dry while enhancing your space. We hope this inspires you to trade out fragranced candles for fresh plants in your home and office!
