Houseplants for a Healthier Home

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)

Houseplants for a Healthier Home, 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)

Houseplants for a Healthier Home, Gerbera Daisy, plants, flowers

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)

Houseplants for a Healthier Home, snake plant, mothers in law tounge, Sansevieria

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)

Houseplants for a Healthier Home

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)

Houseplants for a Healthier Home Chrysanthemum

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)

Houseplants for a Healthier Home Pothos

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)

Houseplants for a Healthier Home Peace LilyPeace 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)

Houseplants for a Healthier Home English IvyEnglish 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)

Houseplants for a Healthier Home Heart

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

Houseplants for a Healthier Home

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.

Until next time…

34 comments

  1. Cathy Chester says:

    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!

  2. GiGi Eats says:

    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!

  3. Carol Cassara says:

    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?

  4. Lisa at Grandma's Briefs says:

    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).

  5. Carolann says:

    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!

  6. Jean says:

    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.

  7. Amy Nielson says:

    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!

  8. Ronda says:

    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!

  9. Jane (Limeade Gal) says:

    I Love how you explained what each plant is able to purify from the air. This is a great resource, pinned. Thank you.

  10. JcCee Watkins Barney says:

    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!

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