I give you a challenge, try to avoid air. It seems complicated, and if I may tell you the truth, IMPOSSIBLE TO DO! But, the air is something that you can’t live without and escape from. So, it’s natural to feel the need to live in an environment where the air is fresh and clean from toxins, dust, and germs. And, it’s possible to do this with nature’s miracles – Air-purifying houseplants.
Air-purifying houseplants improve the indoor air quality and are decor pieces when paired with pots. The possibilities are endless, but the most common use for these types of plants is to get them to your home and include at least one in every room of your house. Or freshen up your office space with them; Like said, a lot of possibilities.
If you want to know the best places to buy plants online, look at our post – 14 Shops Where You Can Buy Beautiful Indoor Plants Online.
You Spend A Lot Of Time Indoors!
If you aren’t convinced yet, remember that we spend 90% of our time indoors, which means air quality matters. It’s something you should think about, but don’t worry about it too much if you live in an area where the air tends to be clean anyway. But, it’s much more pleasant to know that plants around the house look beautiful and purify the air simultaneously.
I bet you’re now eager to get familiar with the great plants that clean the air and make the air you breathe and live in a way better to LIVE IN! We have included plants to this list that are easy to grow and take care of. This is also a good thing to remember when figuring out what you want to grow in your house or apartment.
Air Purifying Houseplants And “NASA Clean Air Study”
Nasa published a list in 1989 that researched the plant’s ability to purify the air from toxins. The one thing I want you to know is that this research didn’t mimic the average home environment – NOT GOOD! However, the latest study also shows that a typical outdoor-to-indoor air exchange in most residential buildings is enough to purify the indoor air. If you want to know a bit more about these studies, check out these articles on – National Geographic and nature.com.
1. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums are one of the best plants to make your air fresh and clean. They purify indoor air from pollutants and toxins.
Chrysanthemums are affordable to buy, and they are an excellent way to brighten up your kitchen or living room. But remember to place them in some spot in your house where they get a lot of sunlight because they LOVE it.
Removes the following toxins: Formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia, and xylene.
Chrysanthemum isn’t pet-friendly!
2. Devil’s Ivy
Also known as pothos or golden pothos, devil’s ivy is another excellent indoor plant that fights against toxins while cleaning the air.
Devil’s ivy is one of those plants that are easy to take care of, and that’s why it’s such a great plant to give as a gift or start with if you’re a beginner. However, consider that the devil’s ivy is mildly poisonous to dogs and cats, so if you are a pet owner, I would look for something else.
Removes the following toxins: Formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, benzene, and xylene.
Devil’s ivy isn’t pet-friendly!
3. Barberton Daisy
Barberton Daisy is the third one on our list of air-purifying houseplants. It has a beautiful and extensive range of different colored flowers that cheer up any room in your house or apartment. The plant is from South Africa, and that’s why it is an excellent choice for indoor growers like us who need plants for year-round growing. Barberton Daisy cleans your room from toxins when placed in a room with access to plenty of natural light. Remember to keep the soil moist.
Removes the following toxins: Formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene.
BARBERTON DAISY IS PET-FRIENDLY!
4. Snake Plant
Thank god, the name of this air-purifying houseplant isn’t a literal translation. Because I would bet that no one would want it to their home then (even though it sounds pretty incredible). This green plant is also known as mother-in-law’s tongue and is a great plant to keep in your bedroom. It tends to release oxygen at night, which gives you better sleep at night, and as we know, a good night’s sleep helps you get through the day’s challenges.
I know that sometimes you forget to water your plants, but don’t worry, the snake plant isn’t going to hurt its feelings. It doesn’t care if you forget to water it now and then because from time to time, it prefers drier conditions.
Removes the following toxins: Formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, benzene, toluene, and xylene.
Snake plant isn’t pet-friendly!
5. Pineapple Plant
It’s a shame that the pineapple plant doesn’t remove any toxins from the air. But I still decided to include it in this list because it has other great features. For example, the pineapple plant releases oxygen at night, which (like the snake plant) helps you sleep better. But the best part of all this is that it looks majestic in any room of your house.
Pineapples (as you might already know) grow in warmer climates, which is why they don’t mind if you forget to water them from time to time. But try to avoid frost because pineapple doesn’t like it.
Removes the following toxins: It doesn’t remove toxins but does produce oxygen, which helps you sleep better.
The pineapple is safe, but the leaves can be challenging for dogs/cats’ digestive systems, so I wouldn’t recommend the pineapple plant for pet owners.
6. Bamboo Palm
From all the air-purifying houseplants on our list, bamboo palm might be the most interesting. You might notice that pandas also love bamboo, but it works as a houseplant as well. Don’t forget that your pets will be safe, too, because it is pet-friendly. The bamboo palm loves sunlight, so place it in a sunny place to let it thrive to its fullest potential.
Remember, though, that a small apartment might not be the optimal growing place for bamboo palms. This is because they can grow to be a handful – between 4 (1,30m) and 12 (3,70m) feet high.
Removes the following toxins: Formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene.
BAMBOO PALM IS PET-FRIENDLY!
7. Peace Lily
The name of peace lily is right on point because it looks so peaceful and cleanses the air of your room. However, the peace lily might not be the first choice for people with allergies because it tends to release some pollen and scents to the room air.
But they are so beautiful and easy to grow that I recommend them. Watering won’t become a problem with peace lily either because once a week is enough. And as long you remind yourself to keep it away from direct sunlight, everything’s going to be alright.
Removes the following toxins: Formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, carbon monoxide, benzene, and xylene.
The peace lily isn’t pet-friendly!
8. Boston Fern
Boston fern is the opposite of the bamboo palm because it prefers a shadier growing spot, and unlike the bamboo, it won’t grow to be a 12 (3,70m) feet giant. The disadvantage of having a Boston fern in your apartment is that it’s a pretty demanding plant. To keep a Boston fern happy, you should mist it, make sure that the soil is moist, and, as said earlier, make sure that you place it away from direct sunlight.
Removes the following toxins: Formaldehyde and xylene.
BOSTON FERN IS PET-FRIENDLY!
9. English Ivy
Have you ever noticed a weird plant outdoors that seems to climb the walls of buildings or along a tree? If you said YES, you might have seen the English ivy. Even though you can usually find English ivy outside, it’s still one of the best ones to have in your house or apartment. But NOT IF YOU ARE A PET OWNER because it’s toxic to cats and dogs.
The English ivy looks excellent in a small pot or a hanging basket. Besides, one of its most unique features is that it can keep your home’s mold levels in control. “-Of course, it can’t do miracles and save a mold house.”
Some people see English ivy as a weed because of its ability to grow so well. But to us, indoor gardeners, it’s a great plant that brings beauty to our rooms as long as we remember to take care of it and water it.
Removes the following toxins: Formaldehyde and benzene.
English ivy isn’t pet-friendly!
10. Dwarf Date Palm
Another big plant on our list is the dwarf date palm, which can grow up to 6 (1,80m) to 10 (3,00m) feet high. Because of this, I wouldn’t recommend it to small apartments. Dwarf date palm looks elegant, and if you place it in a bit shady spot in your house (REMEMBER NOT TO OVERWATER!) + place it in a beautiful pot, it becomes a unique decor element.
Removes the following toxins: Formaldehyde and xylene.
DWARF DATE PALM IS PET-FRIENDLY!
11. Spider Plant
If you currently have a terrible reputation in the “indoor gardener’s association” (a made-up association). And most of your plants are lifeless rather than lively; this might be the plant you’ve been looking for.
Spider plant, perfect for newbies and forgetful people, is a house plant that survives in almost any condition. Best of all, it’s non-toxic, which is why it’s great for pet owners – WIN-WIN!
Removes the following toxins: Formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and xylene.
SPIDER PLANT IS PET-FRIENDLY!
12. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is known from cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food products to the general public. Still, it’s an excellent houseplant, thanks to its ability to purify the air. Finding a sunny spot from your house is the next thing you need to do if you want to give it a new home.
Removes the following toxins: Formaldehyde and benzene.
Aloe vera isn’t pet-friendly!
13. Dracaena
The plant number 13 on our list of air-purifying houseplants is the dracaena. And it’s another one that pet owners should avoid because it is toxic to dogs and cats. However, it suits a home where the ceiling is high because it can SLOWLY grow up to 15 feet (4,50m) tall. In addition, the dracaena doesn’t like direct sunlight, so place it in a spot where there is only a reasonable amount of it available.
Removes the following toxins: Formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene.
Dracaena isn’t pet-friendly!
14. Kimberly Queen Fern
Kimberly queen fern is one of the best plants to keep in small apartments because of its growing style. Unlike its cousin Boston fern, Kimberly queen fern grows upwards and saves you space and makes it a decor piece to your apartment. In addition, Kimberly is pretty easy to take care of, and once you remember to keep the soil moist, you won’t run into significant problems.
Removes the following toxins: Formaldehyde and benzene.
KIMBERLY QUEEN FERN IS PET-FRIENDLY!
15. Rubber Plant
The rubber plant is an excellent choice as your houseplant because of its beautiful, unique, rubbery-looking foliage. Depending on space/care given, it can grow up to 10 (3,0m) feet high, so it suits a big house plant too. This plant, from India, loves to be near the window. And remember to water it once a week and make regular pruning to keep it as high as you want it to be.
Removes the following toxins: Formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, benzene, and xylene.
The rubber plant isn’t pet-friendly!
16. Chinese Evergreen
The Chinese evergreen tolerates almost every growing condition, making it one of the easiest ones to grow. GOOD NEWS FOR BEGINNERS! Chinese evergreen is one of those plants on our list that suit well to your bathroom because it thrives in humid and low light growing conditions.
Removes the following toxins: formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene.
Chinese evergreen isn’t pet-friendly!
17. Flamingo Lily
One of the few flowers on our list of air-purifying houseplants is the flamingo lily. If you want to add a touch of beauty and color to your room, the flamingo lily is a superb choice. It loves to hang out in indirect sunlight and get watered once or two times a week, and the room you should place it in should be a bit humid – bathroom, for example!
Removes the following toxins: Formaldehyde, ammonia, toluene, and xylene.
Flamingo lily isn’t pet-friendly!
18. Areca Palm
The areca palm is a great choice to use in your big spaces, and the best part of it is that it suits pet owners too. So if you’re trying to find a plant suitable for your house and want to keep your dog/cat out of danger, the areca palm is your best bet. Non-direct sunlight and water a couple of times a week is enough to keep this air-purifying super plant working as it should.
Removes the following toxins: formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, carbon monoxide, benzene, and xylene.
ARECA PALM IS PET-FRIENDLY!
19. And The Last Plant On Our List Is – Weeping Fig
Weeping fig is the last one on our list of air-purifying houseplants. Don’t undervalue it at all, because it suits well to your apartment where the sun is shining. But not too much because indirect sunlight is still weeping figs preference.
Removes the following toxins: formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, benzene, toluene, and xylene.
Weeping fig isn’t pet-friendly!
Does It End Here?
Are these 19 plants the only plants in the world with air-purifying abilities? Well, I’m glad to say that these aren’t the only ones, and we are just scratching the surface. So, to extend our list, you can also take a look at these plants:
- Croton
- Urn Plant
- Poinsettia
- Cyclamen
- Kalanchoe
- Lady Palm
- Anthurium
- Oakleaf Ivy
- Parlor Palm
- Dumb Cane
- Moth Orchid
- Peacock Plant
- Gerbera Daisy
- Christmas Cactus
- Dendrobium Orchid
- Lacy Tree Philodendron
- Heart-Leaf Philodendron
- Elephant Ear Philodendron
- Red Emerald Philodendron
What Are Air Purifying Plants?
Air-purifying houseplants purify the air from toxins and pollutants, so they are beneficial to the indoor air. Plants are also known to increase mood and productivity.
What Air Purifying Houseplants Are Safe For Cats And Dogs?
As you can see, we have included this info for every plant on this list. But as requested, here are the ones that clean the air and remove toxins but are also safe for pets.
- Kimberly Queen Fern
- Dwarf Date Palm
- Barberton Daisy
- Bamboo Palm
- Spider Plant
- Boston Fern
- Areca Palm
How Many Plants Do I Need At My Home To Achieve Air Cleaning Benefits?
It’s a difficult question to answer because the amount of leaf surface is the thing that matters. So, keep at least two big-sized plants in a 100 square foot home as a general rule.
At Least Two Big Sized Plants In A 100 Square Foot Home!
What Is The Best Indoor Plant To Clean The Air?
It’s tough to determine the best one for this job, and I’m sorry, but I couldn’t find the answer to this question online. I hope you remember that all plants we included on our list are air purifiers and, therefore, excellent for you.
Are All Plants Beneficial To Indoor Air?
Yes, and I mean it, so if you plan to grow another plant that isn’t on this list – IT’S STILL AN EXCELLENT THING! And talking about different plants, if flowers are something that you are interested in, go ahead and check out our articles:
- Indoor Flowering Plants: Make Your Home Colorful With These 15 Plants.
- 18 Best Flowers For Hanging Baskets To Make An Eden To The Air.
Final Words
Air-purifying houseplants are a great way to make your room air a little bit cleaner. And the best part of them is that they also work as decor pieces when you pair them with lovely pots or hanging baskets. I know that some people might wonder what the best plant on this list is, but the most important thing is to find the ones that please your eye the most. And if you have pets, keep in mind to choose pet-friendly ones!