Air-purifying plants are natural wonders—these plants actually clean toxins from the air in your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a growing body of scientific evidence shows that the air in our homes “can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities,” which means we need these plants now more than ever.
“Plants naturally remove toxins from the air, inspire creativity and focus, increase mental health, serve as natural humidifiers, and bring life to a home,” explains interior plant designer Lisa Muñoz of Leaf and June.
Different plants are better at fighting different types of indoor air pollution, so your best bet is to cultivate a variety of these plants so they can work together to fight all types of toxins. And what are some of those toxins?
A clean air study from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) found that certain plants are capable of filtering pollutants such as:
- Benzene (commonly found in varnishes, detergents, rubber, paints, plastics, inks, oils, detergents, dyes, gasoline, and floor finishes)
- Trichloroethylene (commonly found in printing inks, varnishes, adhesive, and lacquer)
- Formaldehyde (commonly found in paper towels, facial tissues, tobacco smoke, gas stoves, adhesive binders in floor coverings, carpet backing, and grocery bags)
- Ammonia (commonly found in cleaning products)
- Toluene (commonly found in stain removers, oils, paints, paint thinner, paint brush cleaner, nail polish, and inks)
- Carbon monoxide (commonly found in vehicle, fireplace, stove, and furnace fumes)
- Styrene (commonly found in carpet backing, fiberglass, packaging, home insulation, wiring insulation, and drinking cups)
Read on to learn about the 21 best air-purifying plants, along with the specific toxins each one helps to filter.
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Rubber Tree
Whether in burgundy or regular green, rubber trees (also known as rubber plants) will produce lots of oxygen—more than any other plant, in fact! In addition to producing oxygen and eliminating air toxins, the rubber tree effectively removes mold spores and bacteria from the air (by up to 60%). Fighting off mold and bacteria is part of the plant’s defense mechanism to protect its soil.
Rubber trees filter toxins including:
- formaldehyde
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Algonema Silver Bay Chinese Evergreen
Happy in any kind of lighting, these “Chinese evergreens” are known to increase productivity, concentration, and memory while also reducing stress and boosting mood. Chinese evergreens come in a wide variety of shades including pink, red, orange, yellow, and gray.
Chinese evergreens filter toxins including:
- benzene
- formaldehyde
- carbon monoxide
- trichloroethylene
