We spend more time indoors than ever before, and it’s not just because we’re working from home. Fewer of us have backyards or live in walkable communities where we can leave our homes for work or errands. We’ve become so reliant on the comforts of indoor living that even when we do venture outside, many of us don’t go far.
Do you find yourself breathing easier and feeling less congested after a few hours in the garden? That’s because plants are air purifiers. Plants naturally filter out toxins from the air around them, improving our quality of life by making us feel better, smell fresher, and taste more delicious!
Whether you’re interested in knowing the best plants that purify the air for the bathroom or the top air cleaning plants for the bedroom, you’ll find that all of these options work quite well to meet your needs.
What is an Air Purifying Plant?
NASA’s Study has revolutionized the way we think about houseplants. Once used purely to decorate our homes, there is now evidence that growing the right types of plants can improve the quality of the air we breathe.
There are all kinds of air-purifying plants that can help to detoxify your home, removing common dust, germs, and other airborne toxins that are found in materials, furniture, and other household products.
You might need a lot of indoor plants that clean the air and remove toxins in order to make a huge difference – but since you’re probably going to add houseplants to your home to spruce things up anyway, why not consider incorporating these top air-purifying plants in your interior design scheme? Your lungs are sure to thank you!
On the hunt for the best indoor plants for air quality? Consider growing some of these air cleaning plants for a breath of fresh air.
1. Barberton Daisy
You might not think of growing daisies when you think about growing indoor plants, but the Barberton daisy is a great one to consider. This gorgeous plant will help clear the air of toxins like trichloroethylene, benzene, formaldehyde, and more – helping you breathe easier and enjoy the gorgeous appearance of this plant’s buttery blooms.
2. Kentia Palm
Kentia palms are sometimes referred to as thatch palms – no matter what you call them, there’s no denying this plant’s beauty. It is a flowering plant in the palm family that’s perfect for someone in a crowded environment. It grows easily in bright, indirect light but can also tolerate some shade.
3. Areca Palm
Like all plants, the areca palm tree is biologically capable of taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. However, it also can purify the environment as it removes chemicals like xylene and formaldehyde. This lovely plant is best grown in a living room, where it will thrive in filtered light.
4. English Ivy
English ivy is a fast-growing perennial vine that can remove all kinds of contaminants from the air. It’s one of the few that can remove fecal particles from the environment, too, making it a good choice for growing in a bathroom. It can even help combat mold levels!
5. Rubber Plant
A type of ficus, the rubber plant is one of the best at removing toxins from the air. In fact, it was one of the plants listed in the famed NASA study we mentioned above. It’s easy to care for and although it can be toxic to pets, it can be grown just about anywhere in the home.
6. Snake Plant
Snake plants, or mother-in-law’s tongue, are plants that can not only help remove toxins from the air but also lend themselves nicely to a better night’s sleep. These plants release oxygen at night, helping you breathe better as they filter out contaminants like benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene. They’re also succulents that thrive on neglect!
7. Pineapple Plant
Yes, that pineapple plant! You can easily grow a pineapple plant in your own home – while you may not receive any harvestable fruits, this plant can help remove all kinds of harmful toxins from your home.
It’s technically a bromeliad, offering gorgeous foliage and attractive leaves. These plants grow best in warm, sunny environments, but they don’t require a ton of water.
8. Chrysanthemum
Also known as mums, chrysanthemums can easily brighten up any room in your home. They can also filter out toxins, from benzene to ammonia. Grow them in full sunlight for the best results.
9. Flamingo Lily
This plant is prized for its appearance, possessing lovely heart-shaped, bright red leaves. It’s wonderful at purifying the air, even if you live in a more crowded environment like a city apartment.
It should be grown in bright areas, though out of direct sunlight. Water just once or twice a week and consider growing it in a humid room, like a bathroom.
10. Spider Plant
Spider plants are super common houseplants, often grown for their ability to self-propagate via “spiderettes,” or little shoots that form from the mother plant. You can grow hundreds of spider plants all on your own!
Also known as airplane plant, spider plant is great at removing chemicals from the air. These plants remove all kinds of toxins, from xylene to carbon monoxide, and the plants are some of the few that are non-toxic to pets, too.
11. Money Plant
The money plant is one listed specifically by the NASA study as being effective at getting rid of toxins in the air. It can be toxic, so keep it out of the reach of small children, dogs, and cats.
12. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is not only a medicinal plant when it comes to treating sunburn and virus skin conditions – it can also be grown to purify the air! This plant can help remove all kinds of chemicals, like benzene and formaldehyde, from the air. It grows best in a sunny windowsill.
13. Dracaena
Dracaena is a gorgeous house plant native to Africa. It is one of the best air-purifying plants you can grow, helping to remove all kinds of toxins from the air. It requires minimal amounts of water, making it perfect for the more absent-minded gardeners among us! Keep the water moist, though not soggy, as overwatering can cause this plant’s roots to rot.
14. Broad Lady Palm
This palm is one of the few that is effective at removing ammonia, a chemical found in all kidneys of cleaning products. Although these plants can be somewhat expensive to buy, the extra money is worth it! It loves humidity and can even be grown in a bathroom.
15. Kimberly Queen Fern
The name of this plant might be a mouthful, but when you’re on the hunt for air-purifying plants, the Kimberly Queen fern is one to consider growing. It has a shapely form and lovely fronds that will help remove all kinds of contaminants from the air.
It grows well in low lighting and requires just occasional watering once every five to seven days – though it might occasionally require more when the weather is hot.
17. Dragon Tree
Also known as the red-edged dracaena, this plant is most effective at removing pollutants like trichloroethylene and xylene. It’s attractive to look at, with red-trimmed leaves that are sure to add a unique aesthetic to your home.it can grow quite tall – up to eight feet! – so be sure to keep it in a room where it has room to sprawl.
18. Peace Lily
The peace lily is a longtime favorite of house plant enthusiasts. It can filter out all kinds of harmful toxins. Just be careful where you put it in your home – it can be toxic to pets when ingested.
19. Weeping Fig
Another great air-purifying plant to grow is the weeping fig. A popular plant since Victorian times, this plant can get rid of all kinds of chemicals in the air, from xylene to formaldehyde.
Unfortunately, the weeping fig can be a bit more challenging to grow, requiring indirect light and being intolerant of drafts.
20. Bamboo Palm
The bamboo palm is a great air filtering plant to grow if you don’t have a lot of light in your home or apartment. It has elegant, arching leaves that not only look wonderful but also help remove toxins, such as formaldehyde, from the air. It requires regular watering but its soil can be allowed to dry out between waterings.
21. Scarlet Star Bromeliad
Most bromeliads are great at adding color and removing toxins – from your home. However, the scarlet star bromeliad is one of the best. This houseplant offers long-lasting color and grows well in a humid environment. Because of this, it’s the perfect candidate for growing in the bathroom!
You’ll want to make sure it stays well-watered, though not soggy – again, another great reason to consider growing it in a bathroom. Make sure it receives moderate amounts of bright (though not direct) sunlight.
22. Chinese Evergreen
This unique tropical plant can remove all kinds of contaminants from the air, including two notoriously dangerous ones, benzene and formaldehyde. Chinese evergreen plant grows best in humid, low light conditions – the bathroom is the perfect place to grow this indoor air cleaning plant.
23. Pothos
Also referred to as devil’s ivy, pothos is one of those air purifying house plants to grow in a hanging basket. It will offer a unique, elegant aesthetic as it drapes and sprawls onto the floor. It is easy to care for and thrives in most light conditions. It only needs to be watered about once a week and loves moisture in the air, so it’s great for growing in a bathroom.
Grow A Few Of These Air Purifying Plants In Your Home
Air purifier plants are a great way to keep your home’s air clean and fresh. There are many benefits of having these air purifying indoor plants in your house or office, including reducing stress levels, improving mental clarity, and boosting your mood.
See more: vining house plants
*image by tannjuska/depositphotos
