These Common Houseplants Clean the Air and Can Boost Your Mood

Feeling blue? These humble houseplants can improve indoor air quality, and brighten your mood while they’re at it

These Common Houseplants Clean the Air and Can Boost Your Mood
Written by Kier Holmes and Heather Arndt Anderson July 31, 2017

Back in 1989, NASA released its now-famous study that showed that certain houseplants could clean indoor air by removing airborne chemicals and sequestering them in the soil. But why did they conduct that study to begin with? It was, according to their scientists, “a promising, economical solution to indoor air pollution.” (Houseplants, coincidentally, soared in popularity.)

In the 1970s, America found itself in the middle of an energy crisis. To combat it, the government began imposing building regulations to make new construction more energy-efficient. One side effect was that all this new air-tight construction was keeping out fresh air, and trapping in all the chemicals upon which our modern lives rely. Cleaning products, air conditioners, and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) released by carpets and furniture (and printes and copy machines in offices) took their toll—people began reporting symptoms like headaches, dizziness, wheezing and other breathing trouble, and, notably, mental fatigue. The term “sick building syndrome” was coined to describe the phenomenon. Recent studies have also linked poor air quality with an increased risk of developing depression.

Luckily, these problems can be mitigated right in your own home and office. These common, easy-to-grow houseplants have been shown by actual rocket scientists to clean the air we breathe.

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The Peace Maker

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Foliage: Lush, dark green oval leaves, and a reliable bloomer of white flowers that resemble calla lilies.

Plant: Low maintenance, hardy, and will let you know when it’s thirsty by drooping its leaves.

Light: Low light and cool temperatures.

Benefit: Cleans air by reducing toxic VOCs (like ammonia) from harsh cleaning products. It also has a high transpiration rate that will humidify your air. Plus with a peaceful moniker, you can expect a serene vibe.

2 of10 Alexander Walter / Getty Images

Tough Guy

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Foliage: Thick, leathery, and glossy dark green leaves.

Plant: Very foolproof indoor plant. Under the right conditions, and fairly dry soil, it can reach ceiling height.

Light: Thrives even in dim lighting and cooler climates.

Benefit: Powerful toxin remover and air purifier. Especially useful in offices where furniture is made from formaldehyde based glues.

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The Classic

Boston Fern (Nephrolepsis exaltata)

Foliage: Gracefully arching serrated green fronds.

Plant: An easy and popular fern but does appreciate consistently moist soil to look its best.

Light: Indirect light and high humidity. Mist once a week.

Benefit: Major pollutants removed are formaldehyde and xylene. Boston fern, like other air scrubbers, break down the pollutants in the root’s system (like they would with nutrients) and turn them into a useable form.

4 of10 Pekka Nikonen / Getty Images

Tropical Treat

Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Foliage: Feathery, tropical-looking leaves grow upright then cascade slightly.

Plant: A compact, easy-care palm growing to 3-4 feet tall, and tolerating crowded roots.

Light: Bright, indirect light with high humidity.

Benefit: NASA gives this clean-air plant a high purifying score. Parlor palm is stellar at clearing out benzene and trichloroethylene, so place it around furniture that could be off-gassing.

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Dark Devil

Golden Pothos (Epipremnum)

Foliage: Yellow speckled, heart-shaped trailing leaves.

Plant: Add it to your kitchen or living room as a hanging plant.

Light: Cool temperatures and low light.

Benefit: Clears formaldehyde from the air. Also know as devil’s ivy, it stays green even when kept in the dark—a real inspiration for improving "dark moods."

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The Survivor

Sansevieria (Sansvieria trifasciata)

Foliage: Stiff, upright blades slightly variegated with yellow.

Plant: Thriving on neglect, it can reach 4 feet tall.

Light: Moderate to bright exposure.

Benefit: Working at night (while most plants do so during the day), it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, so add one to your bedroom. Proven to be effective in treating headaches, eye irritation, and respiratory issues. Also increases overall energy levels.

7 of10 Mark Burnett / Getty Images

Eight (or More) Legged Friend

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Foliage: Clumps of long, curving leaves send out stems and at their tips grow miniature "baby" plants that can be repotted to make more. To protect these offspring, grow as a hanging plant.

Plant: Resilient, easy to grow, and survives forgetful watering.

Light: Bright, indirect light, and rotate the pot every week or so to encourage even growth.

Benefit: Effective at fighting pollutants including benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene. Its relaxed nature also reduces stress.

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Numero Uno

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Foliage: Fast-growing climbing vine with dark green waxy leaves.

Plant: Incredibly easy to grow and adaptable—try it as a hanging plant.

Light: Medium direct sunlight (4 or more hours) plus appreciates an occasional misting.

Benefit: NASA scientists listed this common weed as the number one plant for clean air. Because it absorbs formaldehyde like a pro and is proven to reduce airborne mold by 94%, English ivy reduces fatigue and allergies.

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The Healer

Aloe Vera

Foliage: Lightly speckled and spiny, fleshy leaves bursting with a soothing gel.

Plant: An attractive 1-2 foot high succulent that is easy to keep thriving with extremely fast-draining potting soil.

Light: Grow this medicinal plant in a sunny kitchen window for quick use.

Benefit: Not only does the gel have healing properties, but the plant can also monitor a home’s air quality. When excessive amounts of harmful chemicals like benzene are present, the plants’ leaves develop brown spots.

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The Darling

Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

Foliage: It’s all about the multi-petaled, vivid flower colors. Trim stalks to the base when flowers fade.

Plant: A surprisingly easy houseplant.

Light: Six hours of direct sunlight every day.

Benefit: Besides being one of the most cheerful houseplants fro cleaning the air, it's great at removing trichloroethylene (from some dry cleaning) and also good for filtering out benzene (from some inks). The cheery flowers brighten any mood.

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