9 best plants for cleaning the air in your home
The snake plant leads the charge as a bedroom plant as it consumes CO2 and converts to Oxygen for a better night sleep!
Spider Plant
Battles benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene, a solvent used in the leather, rubber and printing industries. It is a great starter plant as it will survive much neglect. As an added bonus, this plant is also considered a safe houseplant if you have pets in the house.
Snake Plant
Also known as mother-in-law's tongue, absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen (a reversal of the process most plants undergo). Pot a couple and put them in your bedroom for a slight oxygen boost while you sleep. This plant thrives in low light and also helps to rid the air of formaldehyde and benzene.
English Ivy
An effective formaldehyde remover. English ivy likes part sun and part shade, so it's a good plant to try indoors. Occasional waterings and mistings during the winter will keep it healthy.
Palm Trees
Good at removing indoor air pollutants, particularly formaldehyde, and they are all relatively easy to care for. Palms also prefer cooler temperatures, in the 60 to 75 degree range, so they force you to be energy efficient and lower your thermostat.
Rubber Plants
Excels at removing chemical toxins, such as formaldehyde, from indoor air. They also require less light than many other plants and outperforming all other ficuses. A word of caution, though: rubber plant leaves can be toxic, so be mindful of that if you have pets, or small children, roaming around!
Boston Fern
Removes more formaldehyde than any other plant. They're also highly efficient at removing other indoor air pollutants, such as benzene and xylene. The downside is that they can be finicky. You need to feed them weekly in seasons when they're growing, monthly during the winter, and they like to be watered regularly. Depending on the humidity and moisture levels in your home, you may need to water them or mist their leaves daily. Another good fern for formaldehyde removal is the Kimberley Queen, a larger, broader-leafed fern than the Boston fern. It's also a much better choice for dry air environments thanks to a high transpiration rate it is also "one of the best natural humidifiers of all houseplants tested."
Peace Lily
One of the best plants for removing formaldehyde, it also removes benzene and certain VOCs that are emitted by harsh cleaning products (making it another good indoor plant particularly if you do not use green cleaners). Peace lily is one of few houseplants that will bloom indoors bringing a touch of summer into a dreary winter. It also prefers low-light conditions and has a high transpiration rate that will humidify your air. Just be aware that the leaves can be poisonous to pets and children, so peace lily may not be a great choice for new parents or pet owners.
Golden Pothos
Not as great at removing formaldehyde, the Golden Pothos is still a great starter plant. It tolerates a lot of neglect and is forgiving when over-watered. And it's still relatively effective at removing air pollutants.
Gerbera daisies
The best at removing formaldehyde, with tulips not far behind. Of course, nothing worth having comes easy. Flowering plants require more careful watering and feeding, and most prefer cool temperatures (below 65 degrees).
Click here to return to Resources.
