Air-Cleaning Houseplants

NASA’s Clean Air Study identified several plants as particularly effective at removing indoor air pollutants. The top performers include:

• Peace lily (Spathiphyllum): Removes benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene
• Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): Filters benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene
• Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Eliminates benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene
• Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Tackles carbon monoxide and xylene
• Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii): Filters benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene

While these plants demonstrated air-purifying abilities in controlled environments, their effectiveness in typical indoor spaces may be limited. Recent studies suggest that a large number of plants would be needed to significantly impact air quality in a home or office setting

For those seeking air-purifying benefits with minimal effort, several low-maintenance indoor plants are ideal:

• Snake Plant (Sansevieria): Thrives in low light and requires infrequent watering, making it nearly impossible to kill.
• ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): Tolerates neglect and only needs watering about once a month.
• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Easy to grow, adapts well to various conditions, and produces offspring plants easily.
• Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Grows in low to bright indirect light and is forgiving of irregular watering.
• Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica): Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions and occasional missed waterings.

These plants not only help purify indoor air but also require minimal care, making them perfect for beginners or busy plant owners. Remember that while these plants are low-maintenance, they still need some attention to thrive and provide optimal air-cleaning benefits.

Several houseplants can help reduce mold spores in indoor environments:

• English Ivy (Hedera helix): Shown to remove up to 78% of airborne mold in 12 hours
• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): Absorbs moisture and filters mold spores, thriving in humid areas like bathrooms
• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Effective at removing airborne pollutants, including mold spores
• Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata): Loves humidity and helps filter air in damp spaces
• Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): Absorbs excess moisture, reducing conditions favorable for mold growth

While these plants can help reduce mold spores, they cannot eliminate existing mold infestations. Proper ventilation, humidity control, and addressing moisture issues are essential for preventing mold growth in homes.

While some plants can trigger allergies, certain species may actually help reduce indoor allergens. Plants like the snake plant, purple waffle, purple heart, and spider plant can modestly purify indoor air and increase relative humidity, which can be beneficial for those with eczema. However, it’s important to note that a large number of plants would be needed to significantly impact air quality.Some effective allergen-reducing plants include:

• Dracaena: Helps humidify air and reduce indoor air pollution
• Peace Lily: Has sticky, heavy pollen that doesn’t easily become airborne, making it suitable for most allergy sufferers
• Aloe Vera: Absorbs airborne chemicals and helps regulate humidity

While these plants can help, they should not be relied upon as the sole method for improving indoor air quality. Proper ventilation, regular cleaning, and the use of air purifiers with HEPA filters remain essential for managing indoor allergens.

Certain plants naturally increase humidity in their surroundings, making them ideal for improving indoor air moisture levels:

• Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata): Known for its high transpiration rate, releasing moisture into the air.
• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Efficiently increases humidity while being easy to care for.
• English Ivy (Hedera helix): Thrives in humid environments and helps maintain moisture levels.
• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): Releases water vapor through its leaves, boosting humidity.
• Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens): Acts as a natural humidifier, especially beneficial in dry climates.

These plants not only enhance humidity but also contribute to air purification. Grouping humidity-loving plants together can create a microclimate with elevated moisture levels, benefiting both the plants and your indoor environment.

Several plant varieties thrive in low-light conditions, making them ideal for spaces with limited natural sunlight:

• ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): Highly tolerant of low light and infrequent watering.
• Snake Plant (Sansevieria): Adaptable to various light conditions, including low light.
• Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Versatile vine that grows well in low to moderate light.
• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): Flourishes in shade and produces elegant white flowers.
• Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior): Extremely hardy and thrives in full shade.

These plants not only survive but can actually thrive in low-light environments, making them perfect for darker corners of homes or offices. While they prefer some indirect light, they can tolerate extended periods in shadier spots. It’s important to note that “low light” doesn’t mean no light at all – even these adaptable plants require some natural or artificial light to photosynthesize and maintain their health.

Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) are excellent for moisture control in indoor environments. These plants thrive in high humidity, typically above 80%, making them natural humidifiers. As they absorb moisture through their fronds, they release it into the air, helping to combat dry indoor conditions. This moisture-regulating ability is particularly beneficial during winter months when heating systems can significantly reduce indoor humidity levels.Other moisture-loving ferns that can help control indoor humidity include:

• Maidenhair fern (Adiantum)
• Bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus)
• Lemon button fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii’)

To maximize their humidity-boosting effects, group ferns together or place them in naturally humid areas like bathrooms or kitchens. While misting can provide temporary relief, using a humidifier near ferns is more effective for maintaining consistent moisture levels. Remember that while ferns excel at increasing humidity, they also require proper care, including well-draining soil and regular watering, to thrive and continue providing these benefits.

Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are renowned for their air-purifying capabilities, particularly in removing formaldehyde and xylene from indoor environments. NASA’s Clean Air Study found that spider plants can eliminate up to 95% of formaldehyde from a sealed chamber within 24 hours. These plants are especially effective at reducing carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide levels.Spider plants’ air-cleaning abilities stem from their high transpiration rate, which allows them to absorb pollutants through their leaves and roots. However, it’s important to note that while spider plants do contribute to air purification, their impact in typical home settings may be limited. Studies suggest that a large number of plants would be needed to significantly affect air quality in a standard room. Despite this, spider plants remain a popular choice for indoor air improvement due to their low maintenance requirements and ability to thrive in various light conditions.