For a healthier home, houseplants are the ultimate decorating accessory, while looking pretty they also clean the air space of harmful pollutants, naturally. Studies have shown that just a few specific houseplants throughout your living space can rid your home of harmful VOCs like formaldehyde and xylene. Most people don’t realize the air quality inside our homes can often be worse than outside our homes.
Here are just 10 of the many houseplants that can improve your indoor air quality.
1. Aloe (Aloe Vera)
Aloe Vera ~ A sun loving succulent that is used for burns to the skin and is also know for removing formaldehyde and benzene from the air, which can be found in paint and cleaning products.
2. Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera)
Gerbera Daisy ~ Not only is this flowers pretty, it absorbs carbon dioxide and at night gives off oxygen. NASA has reported this plant removes benzene, a cancer causing chemical. It also removes trichloroethylene, which can be found in dry cleaning. The Gerbera Daisy loves light.
3. Mother-in-Law Tongue (Sansevieria Trifasciata Laurentii)
Mother-in-Law Tongue ~ It is a wonderful houseplant because it requires little light and loves steamy humid conditions, perfect for a bathroom. It is know as the very best plant to rid your home of formaldehyde which can be found in toilet paper & cleaning products.
4. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)
Spider Plant ~ This hearty plant is the perfect choice for the non-green thumb person. NASA has said this plant ranks among the top 3 houseplants for removing formaldehyde in the air. It is also known for removing carbon monoxide. A perfect plant to hang in the garage ( as long as it receives some light).
5. Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum Morifolium)
Chrysanthemum (Mum) ~ With so many color choices the Mum can blend into any decor. It is effective for removing benzene, a carcinogen (a known cancer causing substance). , which can be found in plastics, glue, paints, cigarettes, and some detergents. Mums love lots of water and partial sun light.
6. Pothos ( Scindapsusaures)
Pothos ~ This fast growing plant is powerful against formaldehyde, toluene, and other toxins in the air. Pothos is the perfect choice to put in a area with low lighting and cooler temperatures. This is also a good choice to place in the garage.
7. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace Lily ~ This is one of my favorite indoor plants. I just love the dark green foliage against the bloom of the stark white flower. The Peace Lily aids in the removing alcohols, acetone, trichloroethylene, and benzene. It has the ability to remove many pollutants and it has topped NASA list to be among houseplants for removing all 3 common VOCs. The Peace Lily like indirect lighting.
8. English Ivy (Hedera Helix)
English Ivy ~ Besides looking great planted in baskets with other plants. A study has shown that the English Ivy plant reduces airborne fecal-matter. It also aids in ridding the air of formaldehyde.
9. Heart Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron Oxycardium)
Heart Leaf Philodendron ~ This plant is a defender against many different VOCs, particularly against formaldehyde from particleboard. **This plant is very toxic, keep away from children and pets.
10. Phaeleonopsis Orchids
Phaeleonopsis Orchids ~ This plant rids the air of xylene, a pollutant found in glues and paints. They also give off oxygen in the evening so they are an excellent plant to have in the bedroom.
Always check to see which plants are safe to have around children and pets.
Kirsten @ Treat Yourself Sweeter
I love this post! I use to have a plant to improve indoor air quality- it definitely lifted my mood! I’ll have to get a few more 🙂 Thanks!
Bethany
Now I just need to know how to keep orchids alive. They are the bane of my gardening existence.
Its All About The Pretty
Try putting the orchids in your bathroom, they tend to like a more humid atmosphere.
Jasmine
I’ll be planting some flowers this spring/summer and I’ll be sure to be careful with which ones I get. Thanks for sharing this.
Cathy Chester
I love having plants around our house for many of the reasons you stated and for their beauty. They bring the outdoors in. Unfortunately I can no longer have flowering ones since we had cats because they can be poisonous and I caught one of them trying to eat my Valentine’s Day flowers! Oh, no!
Sheryl
This is fabulous! I’m always searching for good, hearty household plants. And these have extra powers – love it.
Sara
Great post, I had no idea that these plants were so beneficial and as a bonus most of them are really pretty too!
1010ParkPlace.com
I have an ivy in a pot that’s been with me since the mid-70s! Hmmm…. Wondering if that means it’s thriving because of my dirty, polluted house? LOL!
Doreen McGettigan
I love this. I had no idea! I inherited my mother in laws plants, pretty much everyone you listed. I should take better care of them it sounds like tjey are taking care of us.
GiGi Eats
I wish I could keep house plants ALIVE!!!! Then I would have a few to detox my apartment! Ha. Instead I have a few FAKE ONES… And I think they just collect the toxins 😉 LOL!
Emily | Rainbow Delicious
Thanks for this information! I already love Chrysanthemums and daisies and now I have even more of an excuse to go buy some!
Christine
Great post Mary. I’ve been thinking about getting some plants and I think I’ll start by looking at some of these. Thanks!
Mindy
This is so cool!!! I love gerber daiseys and chrysanthemums…. Just another reason to love them 🙂
Carol Cassara
Girl, there are a few things I want you to do for me. One is manage my house plants because i have a black thumb and the other is advise me on your favorite wines…is it Wednesday yet?
Nancy Hill (@Nerthus)
This is a wonderfully useful post! Thanks. I’m going to go buy more plants!
Lisa at Grandma's Briefs
I love your houseplant choices. We have several but the only one I can name is my hoya—which is in amazing bloom the past couple weeks (which happens about one month every spring and fills our home with the most marvelous scent every evening).
jamie@makeuplifelove
This post is a great! I totally am a plant killer and wish i could keep them alive. I might need to try a few of these.
Carolann
Oh I adore this post! I currently have several houseplants and enjoy them so much! I loved getting some ideas from this list! I guess I’m off to pick up a few more now. Thanks much!
Ciao Florentina
I love your choices of plants. I’m still learning how to nurture orchids and make them bloom over and over again.
Estelle
Fascinating info. I love aloe plants for bug bites and my favorite flowers are Gerbera Daisies.
Gunjan
My husband likes to have plants indoor and outdoor and i will share your article with him so that he gets some idea on decorating with plants.
Jean
Really interesting information. I have an orchid and a Jade plant (are they good for anything?) that I am currently trying to keep alive with my anything but green thumb. If I have success, I’ll have to try to add another from your list.
Amy Nielson
My longtime favorite houseplant just died. Apparently they don’t like being dropped repeatedly by tiny hands. I’m ready to replace it, and I appreciate the ideas. Thanks for sharing!
ERFmama
This is wonderful!!
Thanks for the list, I am SO going to the Garden-centre! haha
Brenna@Domestic Charm
What great suggestions! If I could keep a houseplant alive, I would definitely want a few of these!
Ronda
I love this post just as much as I love my house plants!! I have several of these, beside removing toxins in the air they really do make your home feel homey and beautiful!
Leslie
This is really interesting! Apart from giving off oxygen and looking pretty, I had no idea plants could do any of this!
Annabel Cohen
Great post full of informations! I have orchids and it’s interesting to know that they purify the air so much! Thanks for sharing!
Katie
I have been looking into buying more houseplants lately. This is such a great resource to have!
xo katie // a touch of teal
Six Pack Mommy
I never thought of adding plants for the purposes of improving the air quality!
sara
English Ivy may prove to be quite useful!
Jane (Limeade Gal)
I Love how you explained what each plant is able to purify from the air. This is a great resource, pinned. Thank you.
Ali
I know nothing about plants! I seriously appreciate the education and information 🙂
JcCee Watkins Barney
This is very interesting! It has been years since I have had an indoor plant. I was not aware that in house plants were this beneficial. Thanks so much for sharing!