Breathing clean air is crucial for optimum quality of life. Unfortunately, living in a modern, energy-efficient building can have unintended consequences, such as less airflow. Indoor air pollution can accumulate due to a lack of airflow, causing health problems such as asthma and sick building syndrome.

In addition, modern furniture, synthetic building materials, and even your carpet may contain more chemicals than you realize. These chemicals are responsible for up to 90% of indoor air pollution.

Over three decades ago, NASA discovered that houseplants could absorb toxins from the air, particularly in enclosed places with minimal air circulation. Newer studies about indoor plants and their air-cleaning abilities have based their research on this study. Plants are less potent than air purifiers, but they are more natural, less expensive, and more therapeutic.

For every 100 sq ft (about 9.2 sq m), NASA recommends two to three plants in 8 to 10-inch pots. Some plants are better than others at removing certain chemicals. Household chemicals are found in a variety of objects and materials, including:

You will get the maximum benefits if you include a variety of plants in a room, rather than a single type.

If you have cats and dogs, you might want to reconsider air-purifying plants. Most of these plants are potentially harmful to them. Inquire about pet-friendly and allergy-friendly options at your local greenhouse. In addition, you can also find out which plants are toxic to animals via the ASPCA’s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants page.

An increase in the number of plants in your home might impact humidity levels and encourage mold growth. However, allowing the water to drain into a pan or tray, emptying excess water regularly, and using sub-irrigation planters are ways to avoid this. Mold can also be removed by covering the soil’s surface with Spanish moss or aquarium gravel.

Spider plants, sometimes called air plants, grow fast and look fantastic in hanging baskets, especially in your office. In addition, they can produce beautiful white flowers on occasion. There are around 200 species of spider plants, and many of them require little attention.

Plant care: Water your spider plants twice or three times per week.

Non-toxic: This plant is safe for children or animals.

Dracaenas are a large group of houseplants in various sizes, colors, and shapes. For example, you can choose between the tall corn plant with fascinating patterning or the vibrant purple rainbow plant.

Plant care: Keep the soil moist but not soggy because too much water will kill this plant.

Toxic to animals: This plant is harmful to pets. If your cat or dog eats dracaenas, they may drool more, vomit, or have dilated pupils.

Removes: Xylene, formaldehyde, toluene, trichloroethylene, benzene.

This plant, often known as devil’s ivy, might be as close to indestructible as plants go. It can grow 8 feet long and thrives in a range of environments. It’s also regarded as one of the best indoor air purifiers for eliminating common pollutants.

Plant care: When the soil is dry, water it. When the plant becomes too large, you can trim the tendrils.

Toxic to animals: Keep cats and dogs away from this plant.

Removes: Xylene, formaldehyde, toluene, carbon monoxide, benzene, and more.

It’s easier to grow this Madagascar plant outside. However, its beautifully arching leaves will make a lovely addition to a room with bright filtered light.

Plant care: This plant requires a lot of water during the growing period but less during the winter.

Non-toxic: These plants and leaves are safe for children, cats, and dogs.

Removes: Xylene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, benzene, and more.

The best air purifiers are florist’s chrysanthemums, sometimes called “mums.” They’ve been demonstrated to remove common toxins and ammonia. This flower has a six-week blooming period. You can fertilize the pot again when new growth appears, but it won’t filter the air without the flowers. However, if you do not want to wait, you might want to get a fresh pot from your local nursery.

Plant care: Every other day, check the soil’s moisture level and keep it damp.

Toxic to animals: Contrary to its friendly name, mums are toxic to cats and dogs.

Removes: Xylene, formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene.

The effortless grace and height of this strong plant are well-known. It thrives in bright light but not direct sunshine, and it has specific care requirements. Bamboo palms also release a healthy amount of moisture into the air, particularly beneficial during the dry winter months.

Plant care: Maintain moist soil. Place bamboo palms where there is plenty of air circulation and mist them occasionally to keep spider mites at bay.

Non-toxic: Bamboo palms are pet-friendly.

Removes: Xylene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, chloroform, benzene, and more.

This evergreen climber plant thrives in indoor spaces. Interestingly, different varieties will favor different light conditions, from bright, indirect light to low-light environments. It will look stunning in a hanging basket, on a bookshelf, or your windowsill.

Plant care: Water generously throughout growth but sparingly during the winter.

Toxic to humans and animals: Although English ivy grows practically everywhere, it has been known to cause issues in humans, dogs, and farm animals when consumed. The sap’s chemicals can cause severe contact dermatitis in humans, particularly in people with sensitive skin.

Removes: Formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, trichloroethylene, benzene, and more.

Rubber trees are Indian evergreen trees. Their roots grow upwards and frequently entwine around the plant’s trunk, creating fascinating shapes. Rubber plants love bright, filtered light and occasional maintenance.

Plant care: Keep the soil moist by occasionally watering, especially in winter. To keep the leaves looking beautiful, prune and wipe them down.

Toxic to animals: These plants are toxic to dogs and cats.

Removes: Formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, trichloroethylene, and more.

These patterned and colorful, evergreen perennials are found in Asia’s tropical jungles and can remove many common pollutants. However, they will require extra attention and care than other plants.

Plant care: Water sparingly and wait till the soil is almost dry before watering again—Chinese evergreens like a little regular misting, high humidity, and getting repotted every three years.

Toxic to animals: These plants are toxic to dogs.

Removes: Formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, trichloroethylene, benzene, and more.

Peace lilies were identified as one of the top three plants for eliminating common household pollutants, including ammonia, by NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America in the 1980s.

Plant care: Maintain slightly wet soil. Although peace lilies thrive in many lighting conditions, too little light can prevent blossoms from budding.

Toxic to humans and animals: This attractive plant is poisonous to dogs, cats, and children, despite its soothing name. Adults may experience swelling, burning, and skin irritation from this plant; therefore, it’s better to keep it as an ornamental plant.

Removes: Xylene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, ammonia, benzene, and more.

Keep in mind that all of these plants require fertilizer once a month and extra care like misting or repotting.

There are more ways to filter the air in your home aside from houseplants, including:

Some studies used air filters in combination with plants. And last year, Indian scientists developed a living plant-based smart air purifier, dubbed ‘Ubreathe Life.’ The device amplifies the air purification process in indoor spaces via an integrated living plant. The air in the room connects to the leaves, then makes its way to the soil and roots, where pollutants are purified.

‘Ubreathe Life’ improves air quality by removing gaseous, particulate, and biological contaminants while enhancing oxygen levels via plants, UV disinfection, Charcoal filters, Pre-filters, and HEPA filters fitted into a wooden box.

The smart purifier includes a centrifugal fan that creates suction pressure and releases clean air from the roots through the opening in a 360-degree manner. The specific plants tested for the ‘Ubreathe Life’ purifier include Snake Plant, Peace Lily, Spider plant, and more. All of the tested plants showed excellent results in purifying indoor air.

So, if you are new to planting, don’t have a green thumb, or don’t have enough space in your house, purchasing an air filter is an easy way to achieve cleaner air.