9 Best Indoor Plants to Clean and Filter your Air

9 Best Indoor Plants to Clean and Filter your Air

Last Valentine’s Day, my father-in-law gifted me a basket of plants, and inside were two varieties known for their air-purifying properties—a Nerve Plant and a Peace Lily. Coincidentally, I had just started researching which plants are best for filtering indoor air, so his timing was perfect.

I’d been wanting to introduce some air-cleaning plants into our home. Clean air is just as important as a clean house, and while you can’t physically “clean” the air, there are steps you can take to make it fresher—one of the easiest being adding plants that naturally filter and purify the air around you.

Though all plants help clean the air to some extent, certain plants do a better job than others. Below are some of the best options you can add to your home.

1. Nerve Plant (Mosaic Plant)

The Nerve Plant is a small but striking plant with variegated leaves in shades of green and white, or green and pink. It doesn’t thrive in direct sunlight but prefers a lightly shaded or bright area. Make sure to water it thoroughly, but let the soil dry between waterings to keep it happy.

This little plant is great at removing harmful chemicals like benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene from the air, making it not only beautiful but effective too.

2. Peace Lily

Peace lilies are known for their elegant white flowers and broad green leaves. Similar to the Nerve Plant, Peace Lilies prefer soil that dries between waterings and indirect sunlight. These plants are excellent for removing formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and ammonia from the air.

Just keep in mind that Peace Lilies are toxic, so be cautious if you have pets or small children around.

3. Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue)

With a name like Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, this plant already stands out, but it’s also a fantastic addition to your home. This hardy plant is tough to kill, thriving in both bright and low light. If you’re forgetful with watering like me, you’ll appreciate how forgiving this plant is—it still looks great even after some neglect.

The Snake Plant is known for filtering formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and toluene. Even better, at night, it releases oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide, making it an excellent plant for the bedroom. Just be aware it’s also toxic to pets.

4. Parlor Palm

The Parlor Palm is a beautiful, leafy plant that’s easy to grow and can even produce small, delicate flowers (often white). In addition to its decorative appeal, it’s a great plant for removing formaldehyde from the air, helping to keep your home fresh.

5. Spider Plant

Spider Plants are known for their long, arching leaves and are incredibly easy to care for, making them perfect for beginners. I remember learning about Spider Plants in a childhood book where kids were able to take home baby plants at the end of the school year. Since then, I’ve always loved how these plants reproduce so easily and can be passed on to others.

Spider Plants are great for removing xylene, toluene, and formaldehyde from the air, but keep in mind they can be toxic to pets and children.

6. Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)

Pothos plants are beautiful trailing plants that are perfect for hanging pots or high shelves, where their leaves can drape down dramatically. They’re also excellent for removing formaldehyde from the air. With their lush green or variegated leaves, Pothos make a lovely addition to any room.

7. Red-Edged Dracaena (Madagascar Dragon Tree)

The Red-Edged Dracaena, or Madagascar Dragon Tree, is another striking plant with bold, colorful leaves. It not only looks amazing but also works hard to clean the air. This plant is particularly good at removing xylene, trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde.

8. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a plant I’ve had around my home for as long as I can remember. It’s a handy remedy for burns and minor scrapes, as well as a beautiful succulent that’s easy to grow. My grandmother used to have a huge one in her dining room, always breaking off a leaf to treat small injuries. Beyond that, Aloe Vera is effective at reducing formaldehyde and benzene in the air.

9. Rubber Plant

The Rubber Plant is another gorgeous houseplant with large, dark green leaves. This plant not only adds a pop of greenery to your space but is also a fantastic air purifier, especially for removing formaldehyde.

How Many Plants Should You Have?

To maximize the air-cleaning benefits, it’s recommended to have one plant for every 100 square feet of living space. So, add some of these wonderful air-purifying plants to your home to keep your air fresh, clean, and healthy.