Bringing plants into your home isn’t just about adding a splash of green—it’s about breathing easier, too. Indoor plants do more than beautify your space; they can also purify the air, remove toxins, and improve indoor air quality.
An oft-cited NASA Clean Air Study from 1989 found that some indoor plants can reduce indoor air pollutants.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a plant novice, there are several easy-to-care-for plants that can help make your home healthier and more inviting. There are many options that are not only great at purifying the air but also add a touch of nature’s charm to your indoor living areas.
Here’s a bit more about each and why they might be beneficial in your home. We spend a lot of time indoors, making healthy indoor air quality a top priority.
1. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Bamboo palm, or reed palm, prefers part sun or shade, it makes a great houseplant with the added benefit of aiding in the removal of harmful elements such as benzene and formaldehyde. It’s a detox specialist for your living space. This plant is like a living air filter tackling air pollutants.
It’s a natural humidifier, releasing moisture into the air and making your indoor climate as comfortable as a tropical retreat. It thrives in shady indoor spaces and helps to filter out benzene and trichloroethylene. Bamboo palm plants are fairly unfussy regarding their light. They thrive equally in low to medium light conditions. They will even tolerate bright light as long as it isn’t the hot sun, which can burn the delicate fronds.
Plant at any warm time in these zones, digging a hole just as large as the root ball. If the soil is poor, enrich it with compost first. As houseplants, they’re likely to live more than 10 years inside with proper light and water, but many species of palm can live up to 100 years outdoors.
2. Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera Jamesonii)
Gerbera daisy is a favorite flower amongst the masses due to its striking appearance, which is bright and colorful. These flowers are generally used as decorative cut flowers for bouquets but are also in flower beds. According to studies (by NASA), daisies have been selected as one of the best plants for removing the three most common indoor pollutants: Benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. This plant is helpful for :
Common Cold – Because indoor plants increase humidity levels and decrease dust, they are known to reduce cold-related sickness.
Drowsiness – Extra carbon dioxide can cause drowsiness levels to increase, but during photosynthesis, plants remove carbon dioxide from the air allowing you to feel more alert.
Stress – Plants are known to increase the feeling of well-being, helping you feel calmer and have a better outlook on life. (This is so true for me!)
Headache – Because of the air-purifying properties of plants and the oxygen they create, you are less likely to breathe in musty, stale air that contributes to headaches, allergies, and sinus trouble.
Dry Skin – Plants are a natural humidifier, which increases moisture levels in the air, keeping your home less dry and your skin moist.
Insomnia – Because plants give off oxygen, they can help you have a great night’s sleep. Plants like gerbera daisies release oxygen at night, so keep them by your bed for optimal oxygen levels while you get well rested.
3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)
Spider Plants are known to bring luck and good health in Eastern culture. Mainly because the Spider Plant’s natural, sturdy, and long vines will grow to symbolize stability in life. Spider plants, scientifically known as Chlorophytum comosum, are armed with a variety of compounds that ensure they’re non-toxic.
Spider plant helps clean indoor air. Studies have shown that spider plants are quite effective in cleaning indoor air by absorbing chemicals, including formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and carbon monoxide, in homes or offices. when it comes to indoor greenery that won’t turn your stomach or harm your pets, spider plants are the clear winners. Thick, fleshy roots allow spider plants to tolerate inconsistent watering.
Spider plants are very easy to care for, and they can remove pollutants, including formaldehyde and xylene. Avoid direct sunlight as it has the potential to scorch the leaves. Spider plants will grow in low light, but they’ll grow slowly and may not produce plantlets. In low light, striped spider plant leaves may lose their variegation.
4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
The peace lily plant is well known for its air-purifying abilities as a houseplant; it’s great at breaking down and neutralizing toxic gases like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. Peace lilies are known for their ability to remove mold spores in the air, and they also filter out formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene.
Peace lilies are renowned for their easy care. The peace lily is hard and forgiving, and it will even let you know when it is thirsty: Just look for the meaningful droop. In terms of growing and care, peace — as in calm and tranquility — is pretty much what you get. Peace lilies are mildly toxic. All parts of the peace lily plant contain calcium oxalate, which may cause stomach and respiratory irritation if ingested in large amounts.
Keep peace lilies out of reach of small children and pets who might chew on the plant. peace lilies can grow in water alone; they are often sold in vases without any soil. Ideally, the base of the plant should be suspended above the water line, either by a specially-made vase insert or a layer of small river stones. This allows the roots to grow down into the water but keeps the base of the plant and its leaves from being constantly wet, which can cause rot.
5. Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum Morifolium)
The chrysanthemum became associated with death rather than life in European cultures because of its prevalent use as gravesite decorations indoors; not only do they brighten a room, but they also filter out benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and ammonia. It is a perpetual flowering plant, mostly cultivated for medicinal purposes, generally used in popular drinks due to its aroma and flavor.
These flowers were extensively used in various healthcare systems and for treating various diseases. Chrysanthemum flowers are rich in phenolic compounds and exhibit strong properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-allergic, anti-obesity, immune regulation, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective activities.
Flowers are a good source of essential oil (EOs) with a range of bioactivities that have distinct efficiency and benefits for healthcare systems. Chrysanthemums are also edible and have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years.
The tea brewed from the dried flowers has a golden hue and a mild, flowery flavor similar to chamomile. The flower’s leaves and stalks can also be blanched (briefly plunged into boiling water) or eaten raw in salads. Select a planting site in full sun, away from trees and big shrubs. Chrysanthemums require rich, well-draining soil. They do not like standing water and will quickly rot if left too wet.
6. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is unique in its ability to help you inside and out. Aloe vera is the only edible form of aloe. The aloe vera plant is native to the Arabian peninsula, but it grows throughout the world. This shrubby, pointy plant has been cultivated for its soothing gel for thousands of years.
Aloe vera gel is good for skin issues. It can be blended with water to create aloe vera juice, which is full of nutrients. Aloe vera helps to remove formaldehyde and benzene, which can be a byproduct of chemical-based cleaners and paints. Recent studies have shown that aloe vera juice can reduce the symptoms of heartburn without any uncomfortable side effects.
Aloe vera lowers oxidative stress on your body and reduces the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. As aloe vera is a desert plant, a well-draining, loamy, sandy soil mix is the best soil for aloe vera. To stay healthy, aloe plants need bright, indirect sunlight.
7. Dragon Tree (Dracaena)
This hardy houseplant is known for its incredible air-purifying qualities. They thrive indoors all year round, not just in spring and summer. Although they’re called ‘trees,’ these plants can grow happily in a medium-small pot. Several factors contribute to the high cost of Dragon Trees, including their slow growth rate, the time required to reach a sellable size, and their unique aesthetic appeal. Additionally, older, more mature specimens, which are rarer and take decades to develop their characteristic forms, are particularly valuable.
This plant is effective at removing xylene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde from the air. The red sap of the Dragon Blood tree has several traditional uses. It has been used as a dye, a medicine, and a varnish. It is also used in traditional rituals and as a perfume. In recent years, it has also been used in various cosmetic products.
It is packed with high fiber, which also aids in digestive health and helps reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Just like lentils, dragon fruit is prebiotic that, in turn, promotes probiotics such as gut-friendly bacteria. It can thrive indoors (and even outdoors in regions where the temperatures stay warm all year round). For those in chillier climates, keep your dragon tree happy and healthy indoors.
Conclusion
These air-purifying indoor plants are not only visually appealing but also serve a practical function in maintaining healthier indoor air. These houseplants not only add aesthetic value to your home but also actively work to cleanse the air, making your living space healthier and more pleasant.
Plants naturally release moisture vapor during transpiration, which can increase indoor humidity to a level that is beneficial for respiratory health. This is particularly advantageous in dry climates or during winter months when heating systems can dry out indoor air.
The best air-purifying plants can significantly enhance your indoor environment by filtering pollutants and improving air quality. Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, along with rubber plants and Boston ferns, are highly effective air-purifying houseplants.
These species thrive in conditions ranging from bright indirect light to lower light levels, making them suitable for various indoor spaces. By acting as natural air purifiers, these plants not only bring greenery indoors but also help in reducing the contaminants from outdoor air, ensuring a healthier living space. Whether you choose snake plant or Boston fern, you’re definitely doing good for your home!
