10 Easy-to-Care-For Air Purifying Plants for a Healthier Home

Did you know that the air quality in our homes can often be significantly worse than outside? Along with outdoor pollutants that enter our homes, indoor air can also contain contaminants and emissions from household chemicals, cooking, heating systems, furnishings, paint, and building materials.

Plants are renowned for their ability to clean up the air – after all, without plants and trees, the oxygen we breathe would be in short supply! Plants not only remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere but can also reduce the levels of toxic pollutants in indoor spaces. Growing plants in our homes has the added benefit of lowering temperature levels and increasing humidity, reducing our reliance on indoor air conditioning systems.

However, some houseplants can be notoriously difficult to care for, with even seasoned gardeners finding them a challenge. Luckily there are some indoor air purifying plants that are less fussy about their living conditions, giving even the most inexperienced gardeners the best chance of success.

So, without any further ado, let’s reveal the 10 best low-maintenance air purifying plants for a healthier home.

1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plants, with their elegant rosettes of slender arching leaves, are one of the easiest houseplants to grow. They thrive in indirect light, only require occasional watering, and regularly produce new ‘baby’ plants that trail downwards. Spider plants are highly effective at removing indoor air pollutants, including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and xylene.

2. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Most ferns are excellent air purifiers and the Boston fern is no exception. The feathery, arching fronds of this beautiful plant will reduce levels of carbon dioxide and formaldehyde in your home, as well as provide a beautiful splash of green color. Boston ferns prefer to be grown away from direct sunlight in soil that is kept moist at all times.

3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace lilies are slightly tricker to care for than our first two air purifying plants but will thrive in the right conditions. They prefer low to medium light levels and consistently moist soil and will need feeding every fortnight during spring and summer. In return, your carefully nurtured peace lily will reduce levels of formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene in your home.

4. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos, or Devil’s Ivy, has trailing heart-shaped leaves that can be variegated in green and yellow. This low-maintenance air purifying plant thrives in low light and needs minimal watering. Pothos is highly effective at removing formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene from the air.

5. Dracaena (Dracaena spp.)

Dracaena plants, with their trunk-like structure and long slender leaves, resemble miniature tropical palms that will live happily in your home. They tolerate low light levels well and only need watering when the top inch of soil is dry. Dracaena is particularly effective at filtering out benzene, a toxic pollutant linked to an increased risk of leukemia.

6. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

English ivy is a vining plant with lush, green, lobed leaves that create a beautiful trailing effect. This low-maintenance plant prefers bright, indirect light but can also tolerate low light conditions. English Ivy is effective at reducing mold and dust particles in the air, as well as removing formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene.

7. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The ZZ plant features deep green oval leaves that stand firmly upright. This air purifying plant is extremely drought tolerant and the soil must be allowed to completely dry out between waterings. The ZZ plant is highly efficient at removing indoor air pollutants including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene.

8. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Rubber plants have large glossy leaves that add a tropical feel to indoor spaces. They prefer to be located in bright yet indirect light and appreciate being misted regularly to increase humidity levels. Keep your rubber plant healthy and it will absorb many airborne contaminants into its large leaves.

9. Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum)

Anthurium, also known as Flamingo Flower or Laceleaf, has shiny, heart-shaped leaves and vibrant, waxy clusters of flowers in shades of red, pink, or white. This plant prefers bright, indirect light and high humidity levels, requiring watering when the top inch of soil feels dry. Anthurium plants are effective at removing ammonia, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene from the air.

10. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Chinese Evergreen loves humidity and is a popular choice of air purifying plant for kitchens and bathrooms. It thrives in low to medium light and requires watering only when the soil starts to dry out. This plant is known to remove a variety of air pollutants, including benzene and formaldehyde.