Air Purifying Houseplants

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Removes: Benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide.

Strength: General air purifier, great for low-light spaces

Light: Low to bright indirect light; avoid direct sun.
Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry between watering; avoid overwatering.
Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity; mist occasionally.
Soil: Well-draining, peat-based potting mix.
Pot Preference: Any pot with good drainage.
Care Tips: Clean leaves to prevent dust buildup; fertilize monthly in spring and summer.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Removes: Benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene.

Strength: One of the best air-purifiers; releases oxygen at night, making it great for bedrooms.

Light: Low to bright indirect light; tolerates some direct sun.
Water: Let soil dry completely between watering; water sparingly.
Humidity: Tolerates low humidity.
Soil: Well-draining, sandy or cactus mix.
Pot Preference: Terracotta or ceramic with drainage holes.
Care Tips: Wipe leaves occasionally; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.

Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

Removes: Formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, xylene.

Strength: Highly effective at removing formaldehyde and increasing humidity.

Light: Prefers bright, indirect light; tolerates low light.
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Humidity: Loves high humidity; mist regularly.
Soil: Rich, well-draining potting mix.
Pot Preference: Large container with good drainage.
Care Tips: Prune dead leaves; fertilize monthly in growing season.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Removes: Carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene, xylene.

Strength: One of the easiest plants to care for; can remove 90% of toxins in a room within 24 hours.

Light: Bright, indirect light; tolerates some low light.
Water: Water when top inch of soil is dry.
Humidity: Prefers moderate humidity but adapts well.
Soil: Well-draining, all-purpose potting mix.
Pot Preference: Hanging basket or pot with drainage holes.
Care Tips: Trim brown leaf tips; propagate plantlets easily.

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Removes: Benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, mold spores.

Strength: Best for removing mold spores and airborne fecal matter, great for allergy sufferers.

Light: Bright, indirect light; tolerates low light.
Water: Keep soil evenly moist; don’t let it dry out completely.
Humidity: Prefers high humidity; mist often.
Soil: Well-draining potting mix with peat.
Pot Preference: Hanging pot or container with good drainage.
Care Tips: Trim regularly to control growth; watch for pests.

Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Removes: Formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene, carbon monoxide.

Strength: One of the most effective at filtering formaldehyde; very easy to grow.

Light: Low to bright, indirect light.
Water: Let soil dry between watering.
Humidity: Adaptable, but prefers moderate humidity.
Soil: Well-draining, all-purpose potting mix.
Pot Preference: Any pot with drainage holes.
Care Tips: Wipe leaves to keep them dust-free; easy to propagate.

Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)

Removes: Ammonia, formaldehyde, xylene, carbon monoxide.

Strength: One of the best for removing ammonia, commonly found in cleaning products.

Light: Bright, indirect light; tolerates low light.
Water: Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy.
Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity.
Soil: Well-draining, peat-based mix.
Pot Preference: Large pot with good drainage.
Care Tips: Prune brown fronds; fertilize in growing season.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)

Removes: Benzene, formaldehyde.

Strength: Produces oxygen at night, making it great for bedrooms; sap also has healing properties.

Light: Bright, indirect to direct sunlight.
Water: Allow soil to dry completely before watering.
Humidity: Low humidity preferred.
Soil: Cactus or succulent mix.
Pot Preference: Terracotta pot with drainage.
Care Tips: Avoid overwatering; remove pups to propagate.

Red Edge Dracaena (Dracaena marginata)

Removes: Benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene.

Strength: Particularly good at filtering formaldehyde and benzene, common in paints and varnishes.

Light: Bright, indirect light; tolerates some low light.
Water: Allow soil to dry between watering.
Humidity: Prefers moderate humidity.
Soil: Well-draining potting mix.
Pot Preference: Deep pot with drainage.
Care Tips: Wipe leaves; trim brown leaf tips.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Removes: Benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, ammonia.

Strength: Top air-purifier in NASA's study, effective at removing multiple pollutants.

Light: Low to bright, indirect light.
Water: Keep soil evenly moist; droops when thirsty.
Humidity: Prefers high humidity; mist often.
Soil: Rich, well-draining mix.
Pot Preference: Any pot with drainage holes.
Care Tips: Remove spent flowers; toxic to pets.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Removes: Formaldehyde, xylene, toluene.

Strength: Best plant for humidifying air, making it great for dry environments.

Light: Bright, indirect light.
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Humidity: High humidity required; mist often.
Soil: Rich, well-draining mix with peat.
Pot Preference: Hanging basket or pot with good drainage.
Care Tips: Trim dead fronds; avoid dry air.

Cornstalk Dracaena (Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’)

Removes: Benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene.

Strength: Effective at removing benzene, commonly found in plastics and detergents.

Light: Bright, indirect light; tolerates some shade.
Water: Let soil dry between watering.
Humidity: Prefers moderate humidity.
Soil: Well-draining potting mix.
Pot Preference: Large pot with good drainage.
Care Tips: Wipe leaves; avoid overwatering.

Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

Removes: Carbon monoxide, benzene, formaldehyde, xylene.

Strength: Best natural humidifier and good at removing toxins.

Light: Bright, indirect light; avoid direct sun.
Water: Keep soil lightly moist; do not let it dry out.
Humidity: High humidity preferred; mist often.
Soil: Well-draining, peat-based mix.
Pot Preference: Large pot with drainage.
Care Tips: Prune brown fronds; fertilize regularly.

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Removes: Formaldehyde, carbon monoxide.

Strength: One of the best plants for formaldehyde removal, commonly emitted by furniture and flooring.

Light: Bright, indirect light; tolerates some low light.
Water: Let top inch of soil dry between watering.
Humidity: Prefers moderate humidity.
Soil: Well-draining, peat-based mix.
Pot Preference: Any pot with good drainage.
Care Tips: Wipe leaves to keep them shiny; rotate for even growth.

Top 3 Plants for Specific Pollutants

Best for Formaldehyde: Rubber Plant, Bamboo Palm, Golden Pothos, Red Edge Dracaena.
Best for Benzene: Peace Lily, English Ivy, Snake Plant.
Best for Ammonia: Lady Palm, Peace Lily.
Best for Mold & Airborne Allergens: English Ivy, Boston Fern.
Best for Dry Air & Humidity Control: Areca Palm, Boston Fern.