In the late 1980s, NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America studied potted plants as a way to purify the air in space facilities. They found several plants that filter out common volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Luckily for us, the plants can also help purify the indoor air on earth, which is usually much more polluted than the outdoor air.
Other studies have since been published in the Journal of the American Society of Horticultural Science, which further proves the science.
Do you want to see the best plants?
Read on:
1. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
Shade and watering every week is all the peace lily needs to survive and bloom.
It topped NASA’s list to remove all three of the most common VOCs – formaldehyde, benzene and trichlorethylene. It can also fight toluene and xylene.
HGTV Gardens says that peace lilies are known for their easy care. “The peace lily is resilient, forgiving and will even let you know when it’s thirsty – look for the revealing hanging.”
Read: 31 potted plants with dim light that you should not miss
2. Warneck dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘Warneckii’)
Fight pollutants and oils with this dracaena.
Warneckii grows easily inside, even without direct sunlight. With striped leaves forming clusters on top of a thin stalk, this houseplant can be striking, especially if it reaches its potential height of 12 feet.
This dracaena is known for its white stripes along the edges of its leaves.
If your plant gets brown tips on its leaves or brown streaks, it may be due to too much fluoride in your tap water, says SF Gate.
If so, try watering your plant with H20 in a bottle.
English ivy (Hedera helix)
A study found that English ivy reduces airborne fecal particles. It has also been shown to filter out formaldehyde found in some household cleaning products.
Although popular as a potted plant, the National Park Service does not seem to be such a fan. The plant is called “an aggressive invader that threatens all vegetation levels in forested and open areas.”
Fortunately, ivy should not do much damage to a pot in your home. It grows best with moist soil and four or more hours of direct sunlight each day.
4. Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema Crispum ‘Deborah’)
This easy-care plant can help filter out a variety of air pollutants and begin to remove more toxins as time and exposure continue.
Even with low light, it will produce flowers and red berries.
Southern Living actually calls the Chinese evergreen “the simplest houseplant” because these plants thrive in low light and will grow in places where other plants will not grow.
Because they are tropical, they like moist air. If your air is too tried, the tips may turn brown, so you may want to mist the leaves sometimes.
5. Azalea (Rhododendron simsii)
Bring this beautiful flowering shrub into your home to fight formaldehyde from sources such as plywood or foam insulation.
Because azaleas do best in cool areas around 60 to 65 degrees, they are a great option for improving the indoor air in your basement if you can find a bright spot.
If your house is dry, mist the plant every few days to create a friendlier, more humid environment, the Flower Shop Network suggests.
To help ward off disease, remove any dead leaves or flowers that fall into the soil. Fertilize in late winter and early summer.
6. Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
The red edges of this simple dracaena give a splash of color, and the bush can grow to reach your roof.
This plant is best for removing xylene, trichlorethylene and formaldehyde, which can be introduced into the indoor air through paint, varnishes and gasoline.
There are many dracaena plants. This distinctive version is characterized by the purple-red edges of its ribbon-like green leaves.
Although it grows slowly, it can eventually grow as high as 15 feet, so perhaps place it in a room with high ceilings and moderate sunlight, suggests This Old House.
7. Crying fig (Ficus benjamina)
A Ficus in your living room can help filter out pollutants that usually accompany carpets and furniture such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichlorethylene.
Taking care of a Ficus can be tricky, but once you get the right watering and lighting conditions, they will last a long time.
The New York Botanical Garden says that the weeping fig likes consistency and looks best when grown in bright, indirect light. “It is challenged by dramatic temperature and light level fluctuations.”
8. Heart leaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium)
This climbing vine is not a good option if you have children or pets – it is toxic when eaten, but it is a workhorse to remove all types of VOCs.
Philodendron is particularly good at fighting formaldehyde from sources such as particle board.
Heart-leaf philodendrons are plants with very little maintenance. They thrive on indirect light and very little maintenance, according to the University of Florida.
The trailing vines can only fall from the container or can be trained to climb on a screen, trellis or pole.
9. Chrysanthemums (Chrysantheium morifolium)
A mother’s colorful flowers can do much more than gild a home office or living room; The flowers also help to filter out benzene, which is commonly found in adhesives, paints, plastics and detergents.
This plant loves bright light, and to encourage buds to open, you need to find a place near an open window with direct sunlight.
Do you want a plant that matches your decor?
You are usually lucky with moms. They are available in almost all colors except true blue, according to Green Circle Growers.
When choosing a plant for indoor use, make sure you choose a flowery mother and not a garden variety that does best when planted outdoors.
10. Golden pothos (Scindapsus aures)
Another powerful plant for dealing with formaldehyde, this fast-growing vine will create a cascade of greenery from a hanging basket.
Consider it for your garage as the car exhaust is filled with formaldehyde. (Bonus: Golden pothos, also known as the devil’s ivy, stays green even when stored in the dark.)
Golden pothos plants need strong, indirect light.
Do not overwater, otherwise you will get a case of root rot, reports Wisconsin Horticulture.
Beware: Golden pothos is a poisonous plant and should be kept away from small children and pets.
11. Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’)
Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, this plant is one of the best for filtering out formaldehyde, which is common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissue and personal hygiene products.
Put one in your bathroom – it will thrive in low light and steamy humid conditions while helping to filter out air pollutants.
You may also want to put a couple of these reed-leafy plants in your bedroom, suggests This Old House. Interestingly, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen at night (the opposite of the process that most plants follow).
Sharing your room with these plants can give you a little oxygen boost while you sleep.
12. Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
This bright, flowering plant is effective in removing trichlorethylene, which you can take home with your dry cleaner.
It is also good for filtering out benzene that comes with ink. Add one to your laundry room or bedroom – provided you can give it plenty of light.
Gerbera (sometimes called gerber daisies) like well-drained soil, so make sure pots have drainage holes. Mist leaves a couple of times a week and make sure plants get at least six hours of direct sunlight each day, Gardens.com suggests.
Brightly colored cut flowers can last as long as two weeks.
13. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Even if you tend to neglect houseplants, you will have a hard time killing this resistant plant.
With lots of rich foliage and small white flowers, the spider plant fights against benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene, a solvent used in the leather, rubber and printing industries.
As an added bonus, this plant is also considered a safe houseplant if you have pets in the house. (Find more plants that are safe for pets.)
Also known as aircraft plants, spider plants are also easy to grow again. Just cut off one of the “spiders” and put it in a pot.
Spider plants are incredibly easy to grow, but thrive in cool to average home temperatures and prefer dry soil. Strong indirect sunlight makes them grow best. Learn more about the care of spider plants.
14. Aloe (Aloe vera)
This easy-to-grow, sun-loving succulent helps clear formaldehyde and benzene, which can be a by-product of chemical-based cleaners, paints and more.
Aloe is a smart choice for a sunny kitchen window. In addition to its air-purifying ability, the gel inside an aloe plant can help heal cuts and burns.
Humans have been using aloe vera for more than 6,000 years when it was known as the “plant of immortality” in early Egypt, according to the National Institutes of Health. It was used for skin conditions and to heal wounds, and was used as a laxative.
Today, although science is lacking, aloe vera is commonly used topically for sunburn, burns, abrasions and other skin conditions.
15. Bambupalm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)
Also known as the reed palm, this small palm tree thrives in shady indoor spaces and often produces flowers and small berries.
It tops the list of plants that are best for filtering out both benzene and trichlorethylene. This plant is also a good choice for placing around furniture that may be degassing formaldehyde.
Native to Mexico and Central America, this compact palm grows only about 5-7 feet long.
It prefers moisture, strong, indirect light and does not do well when watered.
It does best in temperatures of 65 to 80 degrees.
Conclusion
It is scientifically proven that potted plants help to increase air quality, and far too many households do not use them because they simply do not know which ones to invest in.
You do not need complicated plants to get a greener indoor space, there are lots of houseplants that are simple and allow you to reach your garden goals.
And you just read about 15 epic potted plants to improve indoor air quality.
So it’s time for you to filter out common volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in your interior by planting some of these houseplants.
Finally you can enjoy a fresh breath!
Let me know your thoughts.
This is an updated version that originally appeared on mnn.com
