Indoor air quality is often worse than outdoor air. Paints, furniture, cleaning products, and building materials release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your home. Certain houseplants filter these compounds from the air while adding oxygen and humidity. NASA research on plants for indoor air quality identified specific species that perform best. Here are the top options for every room in your home.
What You Will Learn
- Which plants remove the most common indoor toxins
- Where to place each plant for best air-filtering results
- Low-maintenance options that thrive with minimal attention
- How many plants you need for effective air filtering
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
The snake plant is the top all-around air purifier for homes. It removes formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and toluene. Unlike most plants, it converts CO2 to oxygen at night, making it ideal for bedrooms. It tolerates low light, irregular watering, and temperature fluctuations. Water every 2 to 3 weeks. Place one in each bedroom.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos removes formaldehyde and carbon monoxide from the air. It grows in hanging baskets, on shelves, or trained up a moss pole. It thrives in low to medium indirect light and tolerates missed waterings. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. One of the hardest houseplants to kill.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants remove formaldehyde, xylene, and carbon monoxide. They produce “babies” (small plantlets) that trail down from hanging planters, making them visually interesting. Place in bright indirect light. Water when the top half of soil is dry. Safe for homes with cats and dogs.
Pet-Safe Options
Spider plants, Boston ferns, parlor palms, and areca palms are all non-toxic to cats and dogs. If pets chew on your plants, choose these varieties exclusively.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, ammonia, and xylene. They bloom with white flowers in medium to low light. Water when the top inch of soil dries out. The plant droops visibly when thirsty, giving you a clear signal. Note: mildly toxic to pets if ingested. Keep out of reach.
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Rubber plants are excellent at removing formaldehyde from indoor air. Their large, glossy leaves add a bold visual element to any room. They prefer bright indirect light but tolerate lower light conditions. Water every 1 to 2 weeks. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth monthly to maintain their air-filtering efficiency.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston ferns ranked among the highest in NASA’s air purification study. They remove formaldehyde and xylene while adding humidity to dry indoor air. Place in a bathroom or kitchen where humidity is higher. They need consistent moisture and indirect light. Not the easiest plant but one of the most effective.
How Many Plants Do You Need?
- NASA’s recommendation: 1 plant per 100 square feet of floor space
- A 1,000-square-foot apartment benefits from 10 medium-sized plants
- Concentrate plants in rooms where you spend the most time (bedroom, office, living room)
- Grouping plants together increases local humidity and creates a micro-climate
Plants are not a replacement for proper ventilation. Open windows regularly, use exhaust fans, and maintain HVAC filters. Plants supplement these efforts by passively filtering VOCs around the clock.
Getting Started
Buy two snake plants and two pothos. These four plants are inexpensive ($5 to $15 each), hard to kill, and effective air purifiers. Place one in the bedroom, one in the living room, one in the office, and one in the kitchen. Add more varieties as your comfort with plant care grows.
