5 Indoor Plants That Purify Air

Environmental pollution is increasing every year, and so are the health problems linked to it. While we may not have much control over outdoor pollution, we can take simple yet impactful steps to make the air inside our homes cleaner and healthier.

That’s where indoor plants that purify air come to our rescue. A famous NASA Clean Air Study found that some common houseplants are little powerhouses when it comes to filtering out nasty airborne chemicals. In this post, we'll introduce you to the top 5 indoor plants that purify air, are easy to care for, and look great in any room.

1. Snake Plant: The Best Low-Light Air Purifier

If you think you have a "black thumb," the snake plant is here to prove you wrong. This plant is tough, tolerates neglect, and is one of the best indoor plants for clean air, especially for bedrooms.

• What it removes: The snake plant is a champ at filtering out chemicals like formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and toluene.

• While most plants release oxygen during the day, the snake plant does it at night, making it the perfect roommate for your bedroom.

How to care for it:

• Light: Snake plant is happy in almost any light, from a dark corner to a bright window (just avoid intense, direct sun).

• Water: Let the soil dry out completely between waterings. It’s better to underwater this plant than to overwater it.

2. Spider Plant: The Easiest Plant to Keep Alive

The spider plant is a classic for a reason. It's cheerful, super easy to grow, and produces little "spiderettes," or baby plants, that you can repot.

• What it removes: It's a workhorse against formaldehyde and xylene, two common indoor pollutants.

• It’s non-toxic, making it a perfectly safe choice if you have curious pets or small children at home.

How to care for it:

• Light: Spider plants prefer bright, indirect light but will do just fine in lower light conditions.

• Water: Water it well, but let the soil dry out a bit before watering again.

3. Peace Lily: The Plant That Gives You Flowers

If you want a plant that cleans the air and gives you pretty flowers, the Peace Lily is your guy. Its beautiful white flowers and shiny green leaves can make any room feel a little fancier.

• What it removes: This is one of the few plants that can remove all three of the most common yucky chemicals: formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.

• It will "tell" you when it’s thirsty! Peace Lily leaves will droop dramatically when it needs water, taking all the guesswork out of plant care.

How to care for it:

• Light: Peace Lily thrives in medium to low indirect light. Keep it out of direct sunlight to prevent its leaves from scorching.

• Water: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.

4. Pothos (Money Plant): The Best Hanging Plant for Clean Air

Often called a Money Plant, this trailing plant is so easy to grow that it’s been nicknamed Devil's Ivy. You can let it hang down from a bookshelf or a basket and give your room a cool, jungle-y feel.

• What it removes: Pothos is great at taking care of formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide.

• It’s super forgiving. If you forget to water pothos for a while, it’ll look sad, but it will perk right back up after a good drink.

How to care for it:

• Light: Pothos can handle a wide range of lighting, from low light to bright, indirect light.

• Water: Water it when the top inch of soil feels dry.

5. Areca Palm: The Best Plant for Adding Humidity

Want to bring a touch of the tropics indoors? The Areca Palm has feathery, arching fronds that can make any room feel like a vacation spot. More than just a pretty face, it's also a great natural humidifier.

• What it removes: This palm is known for filtering out xylene and toluene.

• It releases a good amount of moisture into the air, which can be a huge help during dry winters.

How to care for it:

• Light: Areca palm likes bright, indirect sunlight. Too much direct sun can turn its leaves yellow.

• Water: Keep the soil lightly moist at all times.

Adding a few of these green friends to your home is a simple, beautiful, and effective way to make your indoor air a little cleaner. You don't need a huge budget or a green thumb to start enjoying the benefits of these top 5 indoor plants that purify air.