The first list of air-filtering plants was compiled by NASA as part of the NASA Clean Air Study, which researched ways to clean air in space stations. NASA found a variety of house plants that not only absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, as all plants do, but also eliminate significant amounts of benzene, formaldehyde, and/or trichloroethylene. NASA researchers suggest efficient air cleaning is accomplished with at least one house plant per 100 square feet of home or office space. So if you’re looking for a natural way to purify your home, try investing in one of these 26 house plants!
- Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii)
- Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
- Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’)
- Kimberly Queen Fern (Nephrolepis obliterata)
- English Ivy (Hedera helix)*
- Lilyturf (Liriope spicata)
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)*
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’)*
- Flamingo Lily (Anthurium andraeanum)*
- Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)*
- Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
- Broadleaf Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)
- Variegated Snake Plant, mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’)*
- Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron cordatum)*
- Selloum Philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum)*
- Elephant Ear Philodendron (Philodendron domesticum)*
- Red-Edged Dracaena (Dracaena reflexa)*
- Cornstalk Dracaena (Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’)*
- Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)*
- Barberton Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
- Florist’s Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)*
- Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)*
- Dendrobium Orchids (Dendrobium spp.)
- Dumb Canes (Dieffenbachia spp.)
- Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis spp.)
*May be toxic to pets and/or children. Before bringing house plants into a home with pets or children, check for safety first.
Cesi Pagano
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