Houseplants are an easy way to bring nature indoors, and some can also absorb certain air pollutants and chemicals that contribute to unpleasant odors. Everyday household items, including new carpets, paints, adhesives, cleaning sprays, and wood products, can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene into the air.
In a well-known 1989 NASA study, researchers found that certain houseplants, including golden pothos and spider plants, could absorb some of these pollutants under controlled conditions. While a few plants won’t replace proper ventilation or an air purifier, they’re still a great way to add greenery to your home. Here are 12 popular plants known for their air-purifying qualities.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a popular household succulent known for its thick, fleshy leaves and the soothing gel inside. It’s also one of the easiest plants to keep alive if you occasionally forget to water.
This plant prefers bright light and well-draining soil. Let the soil dry out completely before watering again, since too much moisture can cause root rot.
Aloe vera is often included on lists of air-purifying plants because of research involving chemicals such as formaldehyde. While you shouldn’t rely on it to filter household air, it’s a practical plant for a sunny window sill.
Peace Lily
Peace lilies are popular for their glossy green leaves and beautiful white flowers. They’re especially useful for adding greenery to rooms that don’t receive much direct sunlight.
NASA’s original research on indoor pollutants included benzene and trichloroethylene. Those findings helped establish their reputation as natural air cleaners.
Peace lilies prefer indirect light and consistently moist soil, although they don’t like sitting in water. Their leaves often droop when they’re thirsty, making it fairly easy to tell when they need attention.
Keep peace lilies away from pets, as they contain irritating calcium oxalate crystals.
Spider Plant
The spider plant, scientifically known as Chlorophytum comosum, is one of the most recognizable houseplants. Its long, narrow, feather-like leaves arch over the pot’s sides, and mature plants produce small baby plants that can be propagated.
Under controlled conditions, researchers have studied spider plants for their ability to absorb certain airborne chemicals, including formaldehyde and xylene.
They’re also a good choice for beginners because they tolerate occasional missed waterings and do well in bright, indirect sunlight. Their trailing growth makes them especially attractive in indoor hanging baskets.
Spider plants are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, which is another reason they’re popular in homes with pets.
Snake Plant
The snake plant, also called mother-in-law’s tongue, is a favorite for people who want greenery without much maintenance. Its tall, upright leaves take up very little floor space, making it useful for bedrooms, offices, and smaller apartments.
Researchers have included snake plants in studies examining how plants interact with indoor chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene.
Like other green plants, they use carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and release oxygen. However, the amount of oxygen a few houseplants produce isn’t enough to meaningfully change oxygen levels in a typical room.
Snake plants tolerate low light, though they grow best in bright, indirect light. Allow the soil to dry between waterings, and keep them away from pets that might chew the leaves
ZZ Plant
If you’re looking for a houseplant that can handle a little neglect, the ZZ plant is a good place to start.
Its thick stems and glossy leaves give it a neat appearance, and its underground rhizomes store water, helping it survive long stretches without watering.
ZZ plants are sometimes promoted for their ability to absorb indoor pollutants. Although researchers have studied them, there’s limited evidence that keeping one in your living room will significantly reduce airborne chemicals.
This plant is especially appealing because it needs so little attention. It tolerates low light, doesn’t need frequent watering, and works well in rooms where more demanding plants might struggle.
Pothos Plant
Golden pothos is one of the most popular indoor plants, and it’s easy to understand why. Its heart-shaped leaves grow along trailing vines that look beautiful on shelves, bookcases, or hanging from the ceiling.
Also known as Epipremnum aureum, the golden pothos was among the plants examined in early NASA research involving formaldehyde.
Certain building materials, including plywood paneling, pressed wood products, and some adhesives, can release formaldehyde. Researchers wanted to know whether plants could absorb these chemicals in enclosed environments.
Pothos is also an excellent beginner plant. It grows well in bright, indirect light, tolerates lower light levels, and generally needs watering only when the top portion of the soil dries out.
You can also train its trailing vines to climb a trellis or other support.
Calathea
People grow calatheas mainly for their colorful, patterned leaves. Some have stripes, while others feature deep purple undersides or unusual markings that make them stand out among other houseplants.
Unlike many drought-tolerant plants, calatheas prefer consistent moisture and higher humidity. They do best in indirect light, away from harsh afternoon sun.
Their biggest appeal is their foliage. They’re a good option for anyone who wants something a little different from the usual green houseplant.
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue
Mother-in-law’s tongue, also known as the snake plant, is one of the easiest houseplants to care for. Its tall, upright leaves make it a great choice for bedrooms, living rooms, or smaller spaces where you don’t have room for a large plant.
NASA’s research on indoor air pollutants included this hardy plant, along with chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene that certain household products can release. While it won’t eliminate unpleasant odors on its own, it’s an attractive, low-maintenance addition to your home. It tolerates low light and needs watering only when the soil has dried out.
Boston Fern
Boston ferns are known for their lush, feather-like fronds that look beautiful in hanging baskets or on plant stands. They prefer indirect sunlight, higher humidity, and consistently moist soil, making them a good choice for bathrooms with enough natural light.
Boston ferns have also been studied for their ability to absorb certain indoor pollutants, including formaldehyde. Although a Boston fern won’t replace proper ventilation or remove strong household odors, it can add greenery to a room and help create a more inviting space.
Dracaena
Dracaena plants come in several varieties, with long, narrow leaves that may feature green, yellow, or reddish edges. They’re popular indoor plants because they don’t need much attention and can grow quite tall, making them a good choice for empty corners or high-ceilinged rooms.
NASA’s research on volatile organic compounds included certain dracaena varieties, including benzene, trichloroethylene, and xylene. These chemicals are often found in products such as paints, adhesives, and solvents.
Dracaenas prefer bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions. Let the top layer of soil dry before watering, and keep them away from pets, as they can be toxic if ingested.
Lady Palm
The lady palm is a slow-growing indoor palm with broad, fan-shaped leaves that add a tropical feel to a room. Unlike some larger palms, it grows well in containers and can tolerate moderate indoor light, making it a practical choice for living rooms and offices.
Lady palms prefer indirect light and should be watered when the top layer of soil begins to dry out.
Parlor Palm
The parlor palm has been a popular indoor plant since the Victorian era, when people used palms to decorate sitting rooms and other living spaces.
Its delicate, feather-like fronds give it a soft, tropical look without taking up much space.
People often confuse parlor palms with other palms used in indoor air-quality studies, including bamboo palms and lady palms. While some palm species have been studied for their ability to absorb airborne chemicals, don’t assume the results apply equally to every type of palm.
Parlor palms prefer bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions. Water when the upper layer of soil begins to dry, and avoid placing them near heating vents that can dry out their leaves.
Rubber Plant
Rubber plants are known for their large, thick, glossy leaves and upright growth. With enough light and room to grow, they can become an impressive living room feature.
The rubber plant, or Ficus elastica, often comes up in discussions about plants that may absorb formaldehyde and other indoor pollutants.
Like other broad-leaved plants, its foliage also collects household dust over time. Wiping the leaves with a damp cloth helps keep them healthy and lets more light reach their surfaces.
Rubber plants prefer bright, indirect light and should be watered when the top inch of soil dries out. Their milky sap can irritate skin and is not safe for pets to ingest.
English Ivy
English ivy is a climbing and trailing plant that works well in hanging baskets, on shelves, or trained around a small indoor trellis.
It’s another plant linked to NASA’s early research on indoor air pollutants, including benzene and formaldehyde.
English ivy prefers bright, indirect light and evenly moist soil. It can be a little more demanding indoors than some of the other plants on this list, especially in homes with very dry air.
Under the right conditions, its vines can grow quickly, so occasional trimming helps keep it manageable. English ivy is toxic to pets and can also be invasive outdoors in many regions, so it’s best kept contained.
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese evergreen is a good choice for anyone who wants an attractive plant that doesn’t need constant attention.
Its broad leaves come in different shades of green, silver, pink, and red, depending on the variety. It tolerates lower light levels, though colorful varieties generally need more indirect light to maintain their patterns.
Some Chinese evergreen varieties have been included in research on indoor air pollutants. As with the other plants on this list, lab findings don’t mean the plant can substitute for proper ventilation.
Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry, and keep it away from cold drafts. Chinese evergreen is also toxic to pets if chewed.
Monstera
Monstera is one of those houseplants you can’t miss. Its large, split leaves can make even a plain corner feel more inviting.
Also called the Swiss cheese plant, the monstera is a climbing tropical plant that develops larger, more deeply divided leaves as it matures. A moss pole or other sturdy support can help it grow upright.
Monsteras are sometimes described as air-purifying plants, but there’s no convincing evidence they significantly improve air quality in typical indoor spaces.
They do best in bright, indirect light and prefer to dry out slightly between waterings. Give them enough room to spread, since a healthy Monstera can grow surprisingly large.
