Long and luscious ivy. Big and bold fiddle fig trees. Sleek and slender snake plants. It’s no secret that houseplants can turn any home into a heavenly sanctuary. In addition to offering unparalleled aesthetic, stress reduction, sharpened focus, and mood elevation are just a few of the commonly known benefits of indoor greenery. But did you know your houseplants can also keep you healthy? From absorbing exhaled carbon dioxide and producing fresh oxygen through photosynthesis to removing allergens and detoxifying the surrounding air, household plants provide clean air that keeps you alive. Even just one houseplant can work wonders on your wellness.
These air-boosting benefits came to light when NASA went looking for safer ways to generate fresh air for their astronauts on long missions at the space station. During their research, scientists discovered a plethora of plants that excelled at removing airborne toxins and dispelled monumental amounts of oxygen. In what is now known as the famous NASA Clean Air Study, scientists noted that these plants were effective at removing “high concentrations of indoor pollutants” and toxic chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene that can be found in common household products like paints, lacquers, rust preventers, paint thinners, gas stoves, detergents, and plastic. This study gained rapid popularity for its findings and spurred an entire house plant movement towards cleaner air.
In today’s world, access to clean air has become a more serious scarcity, especially in crowded, smog-ridden cities. With up to 90% of “urban-dwellers” spending their time indoors, the home environment has become a major health concern and an even more imperative priority. Whether it’s the carbon-absorbing potting soil or the chemical-eating plant leaves that do the trick, filling your home with houseplants can act as your personal oxygen producer and air detoxifier.
Here are a few of the most notorious air-purifying houseplants, recommended by NASA, to help you better the health of you and your sanctuary instantly.
Devil’s Ivy / Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Quite possibly the easiest plant to keep alive is Devil’s ivy, also known as the money plant or golden pothos. This stress-free shrub can live in a slew of environments from shaded corners to bright balcony spaces. Aside from its easy-going nature, this potted pothos is also effective at removing indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene. But be wary as this plant is equally lethal to airborne contaminants as it is to pets. Place this helpful houseplant high up on a shelf where it can work its air-cleaning wonders from a safe distance.
Snake plant / Mother-in-law’s tongue (Dracaena trifasciata)
Another popular plant choice, the snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue requires little care but boasts powerful benefits. This low-maintenance house plant cleans the air better than almost any other indoor plant with an exceptional ability to absorb carbon monoxide and emit oxygen. Like most of the plants on this list, snake plants also excel at removing harmful air toxins such as benzene, xylene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde.
Florist’s Mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
Adored for its colorful petals and delicious tea, Florist’s mums, also known as Chrysanthemums, make magnificent air filtration additions for the home. This flowering florist favorite is stellar at increasing ventilation and improving air quality and exchange. But the wellness benefits of this houseplant don’t stop there. Mums have also been known to treat chest pain, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, fever, cold, headache, dizziness, and swelling, as well as prostate cancer when ingested (with proper doctor supervision) and combined with other helpful herbs.
Gerbera daisy (Gerbera)
As if this flowering perennial couldn’t get any more attractive, the Gerbera daisy also offers potent air-purifying benefits. This houseplant is a great choice, especially for the bedroom, as it efficiently discharges oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide and other airborne toxins. Placing a vase of Gerbera daisies on your nightstand will keep the fresh O2 flowing and have you breathing free and easy all night long. Plus, the bright, pretty petal colors will add a little mood boost to your day.
Dwarf date palm (Phoenix roebelenii)
Palms are a solid source of extra oxygenated moisture. Their oversized leaves are excellent at absorbing unwanted airborne particles and converting them into fresh air. The small but mighty dwarf palm possesses a particular affinity for removing indoor air pollutants, especially xylene, which can be found in many house paints, adhesives, thinners, gasoline, and even permanent magic markers. This drought-tolerant plant will give even the most novice plant parents confidence as it can adapt to almost any environment.
Janet Craig (Dracaena deremensis)
Named after its famous cultivator, the Janet Craig Dracaena is another convenient houseplant that requires little maintenance but yields impressive results. Like the rest of its frond-heavy friends on this list, this plant is superior at eliminating trichloroethylene from the home, which is often found in carpet cleaners, varnishes, correction fluid, paint, and metal cleaners. Janet loves low light, well-saturated soil, and room to grow tall. Be sure to keep Janet Craig’s hefty leaves clean of dust and dirt as this can inhibit the plant’s natural air-cleansing capabilities.
Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Palms have the unique ability to turn your home into a peaceful paradise with their free-flowing fronds and eye-catching aesthetic. Adding an indoor bamboo palm to your sanctuary not only helps you recreate paradise but also keeps clean air pumping into every room. This lanky houseplant rids the surrounding air of lingering toxins, particularly toluene, a potent pollutant found in building materials, lubricant, grease, polish, and tobacco smoke. If cared for correctly, this bamboo palm can provide years of fresh oxygen and purified air for your home.
Kimberly queen fern (Nephrolepis obliterata)
They don’t call this house-friendly fern a queen for nothing! The Kimberly queen fern is superior at air-detoxifying. Acting as a natural home humidifier, this fruitful fern possesses a high transpiration rate making it exceptional at removing harmful formaldehyde and alcohols in your home. This fast-growing houseplant was born to be indoors and enjoys low-fuss maintenance, moderate lighting, and lots of misty moisture. Grant your home the luxury of this royally rooted plant, and reap its bountiful air-purifying perks and room-enhancing look.
Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
Ridding your home environment of toxins is a top priority for most of the greenery on this list. However, maintaining a healthy balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen is equally essential for houseplants. Enter the Rubber plant, an ultra carbon dioxide consumer and supreme oxygen provider. This houseplant eats CO2 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and spits out fresh oxygen for its humans. But the benefits don’t stop there. The microbes in this Rubber plant’s vitamin-rich soil devour airborne contaminants, keeping the overhead air circulating with fresh, disinfected oxygen. If the aforementioned abilities weren’t convincing enough, this pretty houseplant is also crucial for crushing parasites and fighting tropical diseases.
English ivy (Hedera helix)
While ivy is a popular plant for enhancing home decor, it is perhaps more adored for its healing properties. English ivy and all its luscious leaves act as remarkable removers of most home toxins, including benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. This houseplant takes air purifying to new heights, offering the unique ability to treat respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis. But this houseplant doesn’t just remove toxins from your home, it can also eliminate toxins in the body. When ingested properly (with the supervision of a doctor), this magic shrub can tighten and strengthen blood vessels, reduce allergies and fine-tine enzymes in the body.
Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
The Weeping fig, more commonly known as a Ficus, remains a popular decor choice for strengthening any home sanctuary. This fruitful fig tree joins the others on this list as a remarkable remover of household toxins formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. In addition to sanitizing the surrounding air through its poison-punishing leaves, the Weeping fig provides additional health benefits for humans through its bountiful antibacterial, antifungal, and immune-boosting properties.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
The name says it all with this helpful houseplant. What could be better for creating a soft and soothing sanctuary than a plant called the Peace Lily? This pretty plant is just as helpful as it is handsome. The Peace Lily is perfect at blocking indoor pollutants and absorbing household chemicals like benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, and carbon monoxide through its big beautiful leaves. Just one look at this happy houseplant will boost your mood, invite calm into any corner, and now better the health of your home.