Updated 19th April 2020

Here are 16 plants that could clean your air for just the price of a few drops of water each day.

First lets check some of the evidence behind the claim that plants can purify your household air:

1. NASA Research

A NASA research document came to the conclusion that “house plants can purify and rejuvenate air within our houses and workplaces, safeguarding us all from any side effects connected with prevalent toxins such as formaldehyde, ammonia and also benzene.”

Here are the results of the NASA research study:

Common name Scientific name Score 1 Areca palm Chrysalidocarpus lutescens 8.5 2 Lady palm Rhapis excelsa 8.5 3 Bamboo palm Chamaedorea seifrizii 8.4 4 Rubber plant Ficus robusta 8.0 5 Dracaena “Janet Craig” Dracaena deremensis “Janet Craig” 7.8 6 English ivy Hedera helix 7.8 7 Dwarf date palm Phoenix roebelinii 7.8 8 Ficus Alii Ficus macleilandii “Alii” 7.7 9 Boston fern Nephrolepis exalta “Bostoniensis” 7.5 10 Peace lily Spathiphyllum sp. 7.5

Source

2. Interior Plants: Their Influence on Airborne Microbes inside Energy-efficient Buildings

In another study made in 1996, a bedroom with no plants had 50% more colonies of airborne microbes than a room which contained houseplants.

Source

3. Foliage Plants For Indoor Removal of The Primary Combustion Gases Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Dioxide

During a laboratory experiment in 1985, Dr. Wolverton PHD compared the removal of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide using a sealed chamber of spider plants.

Source

4. Dr Wolverton – Formaldehyde removal experiment

In another laboratory study by Dr. Wolverton PHD, he compared a number of house plants at removing formaldehyde from a sealed chamber. Formaldehyde is a common household toxin that is released from a variety of household items.

Removal of Formaldehyde from Sealed Chambers for Plants Grown in Potting Soil

Common Name Botanical Name Removal Rate* (Micrograms/Hour) Boston fern Nephrolepis exaltata “Bostoniensis” 1863 Dwarf date palm Phoenix roebelenii 1385 Bamboo palm Chamaedorea seifrizii 1350 Janet Craig Dracaena deremensis “Janet Craig” 1328 English ivy Hedera helix 1120 Weeping fig Ficus benjamina 940 Peace lily Spathiphyllum “Clevelandii” 939 Areca palm Chrysalidocarpus lutescens 938 Corn plant Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana” 938 Lady palm Rhapis excelsa 876

Source.5

With reference to the experiments of Dr Wolverton and the NASA experiments, I have compiled a list of 15 house plants that provide the greatest level of air purification.

1. Areca Palm Tree

The ultimate “plant air purifier” according to NASA

Costa Farms Areca Butterfly Palm Tree, Live Indoor Plant, 3 to 4-Feet Tall, Ships in Grow Pot, Fresh From Our Farm, Excellent Gift Do not recommend shipping to states currently experiencing extreme cold weather/temperatures.

I can adapt to full sun or light shade, but bright indirect sunlight is the best!

Place me on your patio to create a topical paradise!

I love regular watering's, keep me damp, but not muddy

We're unable to ship this item to: AK,AZ,CA,GU,HI

The Areca palm tree is the very best air purifying plant according to the ratings from NASA’s research and has the 8th highest removal rate for Formaldehyde according to Dr Wolverton’s data. This house plant was referred to as “the most effective air humidifier” by MetaEfficient.com. The Areca has the ability to maintain your office or home moist throughout dry periods as well as continually removing chemical toxins from your air. In the course of the winter season, it’s so effective at putting moisture back in the air that you could switch off your electric humidifiers!

2. Lady Palm

American Plant Exchange Lady Palm Rhapis Excelsa Indoor/Outdoor Air Purifier Live Plant, 6" Pot A graceful palm for gardens or a beautiful addition to an indoor space.

Adds an elegant and graceful tropical effect to any home.

Slow growing, bamboo-like clustering trunk pattern.

Wonderful in large pots and containers.

Nasa clean air study discovered Rhapis Excelsa to be one of the Best houseplants at cleansing the air of formaldehyde, ammonia, xylene and toluene.

This house plant – Lady palm (or Rhapis excelsa) achieved exactly the same rating as the Areca Palm tree in NASA’s research. This adaptable house plant, can be stored in dry or moist parts of the world ( between 20-100° Fahrenheit) and is particularly resistant to the majority sorts of plant insects.

The Lady Palm is not the most effective at removing Formaldehyde so if this is a concern then i would suggest you look at another plant.

Read more…

3. Bamboo Palm

Costa Farms Clean Air-O2 For You Live House Plant Collection 4-Pack, Assorted Foliage, 4-Inch, Green Is this a gift? Please choose "this is a gift" at check out to add a personalized message.

The Costa Farms Clean Air Plant Collection includes four plants from a grower’s choice assortment of small foliage plants. See image description of possible varieties that may be included; plants are selected by our expert growers based on seasonal availability.

The O2 for You Clean air Plant collection are the most efficient plants around to filter indoor pollutants, allowing us to breathe clean air in our homes and offices, according to NASA studies

Care varies from plant to plant, in general place the plants in a bright room and water weekly

Height at shipping is ranges from 10-15 Inches tall, measured from the bottom of the pot to the top of the plant

The bamboo palm was the third most powerful plant at removing formaldehyde from the air. It ranked third in the NASA experiment so is a good all rounder at keeping your room air clean. This house plant will grow best in a moist but not wet soil and in direct sunlight. However this palm will require lots of room to grow, so it might not be the best option if want this plant to sit on your desk.

Read more…

4. Boston Fern

Costa Farms Boston Fern, Nephrolepis exaltata, Live Plant, 2-Feet Tall and Wide, Ships in Grow Pot with Hanger, Fresh From Our Farm, Excellent Gift EASY CARE! Water Boston Fern to keep soil consistently moist. If the soil dries out, the fronds may turn brown and crispy. Never allow the soil to become saturated. Boston Ferns enjoy high humidity, so give it a good misting.

LOVES INDOOR LIGHT: Boston Fern loves bright to medium light; do not place in direct sun.

BONUS! A HANGING POT: Boston Fern is grown with care by the horticultural experts at Costa Farms and shipped in a 10-inch black hanging pot, ready to adorn your home. Just hang it up and admire it or remove hanger and place on a plant stand.

REAP HEALTH BENEFITS: Studies show that Boston Fern helps cleanse indoor air, removing toxins such as toluene and xylene. Plus, leafy green plants improve your mood and reduce stress.

ENJOY LIVING HOME DÉCOR: Boston Fern is a voluptuous, easy-care fern that grows well indoors as well as on porches and patios. Its arching branches covered with soft, emerald-green fronds ship at min. of 20-in. tall. Keep for yourself or give as a gift!

The Boston fern was the most effective plant at removing Formaldehyde and removed significantly more per hour than the rest of plants examined.

Studies have also shown that the Boston fern will also eliminate heavy metals, such as mercury and arsenic from the soil.

Source

5. Rubber Plant

Burgundy Rubber Tree Plant - Ficus - an Old Favorite - 6" Pot Easy to grow house plant

Great for the house, apartment, office or dorm

Provide bright, indirect or artificial light

Trim as needed

The plant you will receive is growing in a 6" pot

This rubber house plant (Ficus robusta) has been mentioned as one of the leading Twenty plants by Doctor. B.C. “Bill” Wolverton’s “50 Houseplants That Purify Your Home Or Office.” This rubber house plant provides moisture, eliminates bio effluents, takes away volatile organic compounds as well as suppresses air based microorganisms as soon as it’s put into a room

As time passes this rubber plant will become much more skilled at eliminating toxic compounds present in the air. Bacteria within the rubber plants leaves break up the toxins and also feast on them. The procedure subsequently emits clean air in to the surrounding environment. Since the plant grows, these microorganisms increase.

This increased number of bacteria assist the rubber house plant in becoming progressively more effective at extracting further toxic compounds from the air.

6. Janet Craig – Dracaena

Dracaena Fragrans (Janet Craig) Live Plant BSG11 You are purchasing on Dracaena Fragrans (Janet Craig) Live Plant

Light: It grows best in the bright and indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight. Because direct sunlight will burn the leaves.

Soil: It thrives best in organically rich, consistently moist, well-drained soils. Use a loamy, peaty, well-drained potting soil.

Water: Water regularly, during the growing season. Always keep the soil moist, but not soggy. In winter, reduce watering.

Fertilizer: Fertilize your plant once every two to three weeks, during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

The Dracaena (or Dracaena deremensis) places fifth on NASA’s ranking with a 7.8 score. According to data it can remove Formaldehyde, at a rate of 1,328 micrograms per hour. It also removes Xylene, at a rate of 154 micrograms per hour according to http://www.earthwitchery.com/pollution.html

Recommended Placement in Home: These are especially effective in newly carpeted or newly furnished rooms were formaldehyde levels are at the highest.

Tips to keep this plant healthy:

Favours vibrant light, although not direct sunlight.

Water completely through early spring through the winter season and allow the plant’s soil to dry out in between watering

7. English Ivy

American Plant Exchange Easy Care English Ivy California Trailing Vine Live Plant, 6" Pot, Indoor/Outdoor Air Purifier The English ivy plant is a classic, fan-shaped, Silver green ivy.

Makes a wonderful, bright light houseplant. It will grow long and lush, bringing a bit of the outdoors inside.

Easy to grow, self-clinging vine that is great for baskets, containers, climbing walls, as a ground-cover, enhancing container plantings and spilling over planter boxes.

English ivy helps in reducing indoor air pollution and certain allergens from the house like molds and other fungus growth. It also removes airborne fecal matter from pets and formaldehyde from household cleaning products.

If your air flow in your geographical area has got stagnant and dried out, English ivy (also known as Hedera helix) may be just the solution! WebMD.com talks about this effervescent house plant as “a solution for allergic reactions” observing that sixty percent of air based mold within the space was removed after just six hrs right after English ivy had been introduced.

People that have allergies, asthma, or even the desire to inhale cleaner, more fresh air might be wise to give this English ivy plant a shot!

8. Date Palm Tree

PlantVine Phoenix roebelenii, Pygmy Date Palm, Roebelenii Palm - Large - 8-10 Inch Pot (3 Gallon), Live Plant

Although it does not position at the top of the purifying scale when compared to it’s three palm relatives, make no mistake: this Date palm house plant (also known as Phoenix roebelinii) remains an extremely efficient and stylish looking method to both cheer up the design of an area and reduce the content level of volatile organic compounds floating all over the air.

The Date house plant is very effective at getting rid of formaldehyde thus works great in combination with other purifier plants (has the second highest removal rate after the fern plant.)

9. Ficus Alii

Brighter Blooms Benjamina Ficus Tree, 2-3 Ft. - The Easiest to Grow Ficus | Indoors or Outside | Low Maintenance | No Shipping to AZ NO SHIPPING TO ARIZONA: Benjamina Ficus trees cannot be shipped to AZ due to federal agricultural restrictions. If you live in Arizona and order this tree, your order will be cancelled.

PERFECT SIZE FOR INTERIOR DESIGN: This 2-3 Ft. tree will not be mature on arrival, but it will become an instant focal point for any indoor or outdoor space.

DELIVERY- your ficus plants may arrive a little more dry than you expected since they've traveled across the country. Please unpack them and give them a healthy drink. They will perk right back up. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us immediately.

GROWING DIRECTIONS: Upon arrival, your new Benjamina Ficus Tree will benefit from a healthy drink of water, and continue to water regularly 2-3 times a week.

HAPPY & HEALTHY GUARANTEE: If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your Benjamina Ficus Tree or with our service, please notify us immediately or within 30 days of receipt. We will correct the situation to your satisfaction.

This ficus alii (also known as the Ficus macleilandii) isn’t as strong in it’s pollutant-removing effectiveness as, say, a rubber plant, however it remains an excellent addition to any kind of office or home wherever clear air is missing. Although they aren’t terribly difficult to look after, PlantCareGuru.com alerts to us that hand protection ought to be used whilst dealing with the house plant for those who have latex allergic reactions.

10. Peace Lilly

Peace Lily Clean air Plant Friendship Foliage's Family Farm Quality Live Indoor Spathiphyllum (6" Pot, 14-18in Tall from Bottom of The Pot) CANNOT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA or ARIZONA due to state policies

Grown by family owned and operated nursery

Blooms year-round

Cleans, purifies, and removes toxins from the air

Easy to care for

The Peace Lily (also known as Spathiphyllum sp.) is a perfect air purifier plant for those who don’t have green fingers. Peace Lilies are often found in malls because they are so easy to grow.

If you scared you might kill your new house plant then I recommend you go for this one.

11. Aloe Vera

Costa Farms Aloe Vera Live Indoor Plant Ships in Grow Pot, 10-Inch Tall, 2-Pack Is this a gift? Please choose "this is a gift" At check out to add a personalized message

The Aloe Vera plant is known for its cool Gel inside of its thick, toothed leaves

Great addition to modern and contemporary decor; Perfect for desks, tabletops, credenza cabinets, and more

These sun-lovers grow best in a sunny window. Drought tolerant, only needs water once every two to three weeks

Height at shipping is approximately 10 Inches tall, measured from the bottom of the pot to the top of the plant

Aloe vera was proven to be a lot more effective at the elimination of formaldehyde at lesser concentrations when compared with Philodendrons. Aloe vera is likewise famous as being a healing plant acknowledged for its therapeutic qualities, giving it the majority of its nicknames.

The Aloe house plant was also used in the initial photography used for the Andrea plant air purifier – probably due to the plants purification properties.

12. Spider Plants

Reverse Variegated Spider Plant - Easy to Grow/Cleans The Air - 4" Pot

The spider plant was used by Dr Wolverton in his 1985 study that examined the plant’s removal of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. In a room with many spider plants, the amount of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide dropped to near zero after only 24 hours.

Source

13. Chrysanthemum

Aster Seeds 30Pcs Chrysanthemum Annual Outdoor Flower Garden Seeds Callistephus Chinensis Pink (Pink) 🌺our China Aster seeds will begin germinating in as little as 7 to 10 days after sowing. The plants will mature to a height of roughly 12 to 36 inches tall and can be spaced about 12 to 18 inches apart.

🌺China Asters make a wonderful cut flower and can be seen in many floral arrangements and bouquets as well.

🌺hey will also attract an array of beneficial insects to the garden, such as butterflies, bumblebees, hummingbirds and ladybugs.

🌺China Aster seeds will grow best in an area that consists of full sunlight to light shade.

🌺To increase drainage, we recommend adding a light compost to areas containing hard, compact soil. Provide moisture when the soil becomes dry, until germination occurs.

This particularly attractive house plant was shown to be effective at removing the VOC compound – benzene which has been known to cause cancer.

Many tobacco products contain high levels of benzene so it would be helpful to have one of these plants in a smoking household. However no house plant can ever negate the effects of tobacco smoke.

Remember to be careful with Chrysanthemum as it is poisonous when ingested or with prolonged skin exposure.

14. Heart leaf philodendron

Heart Leaf Philodendron - Easiest House Plant to Grow - 4" Pot - Live Plant

The N.A.S.A. study showed that the Philodendron house plant was one of the best house plant for elimination formaldehyde from the surrounding air, especially when working with higher concentrations.

15. Snake Plants or Mother of Law Tongue

Snake Plant, Mother-In-Law's Tongue - Sanseveria - 6" Pot/unique-from jmbamboo 10-12'' inch live plant.Extremely hardy house plant, difficult to kill

Commonly called Snake Plants or Mother-in-law's Tongue

In China, it was kept as a treasured houseplant because the Eight Gods bestowed their eight virtues on those who grew them

Will grow in dime light, water when dry

The plant you will receive is growing in a 6" pot

Snake house plants — these types of plants tend to be incredible growers and also extremely tough. They’re excellent at eliminating the majority of toxins plus they are quite happy to grow in areas where other plants may decline and perish ( say for example a hot window ledge). Also, they are great bathroom and darker area plants.

16. Sago Palm Air Purifier

Snake Plant, Mother-In-Law's Tongue - Sanseveria - 6" Pot/unique-from jmbamboo 10-12'' inch live plant.Extremely hardy house plant, difficult to kill

Commonly called Snake Plants or Mother-in-law's Tongue

In China, it was kept as a treasured houseplant because the Eight Gods bestowed their eight virtues on those who grew them

Will grow in dime light, water when dry

The plant you will receive is growing in a 6" pot

There is a large number of air-purifying palms on this list for good reason and the sago palm was a great plant for cleaning the air.

One Final Point:

Make sure to Maintain your house plants in a good condition and make sure you have enough of them. The NASA research advised that there should be a six inch plant for every 100 sq feet of interior living space

Last update on 2020-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API