Air Purifying Plants: 9 Surprisingly Hard-To-Kill Houseplants That Double As Air Purifiers

9 Surprisingly Hard-To-Kill Houseplants That Double As Air Purifiers

When you hear the words “air pollution,” you probably think about smog-belching factories and the exhaust from cars on the crowded freeway.

Most people associate air pollution with the outdoor environment — as brought to light by these pollution-fighting artists. But it’s also the air inside of our homes that we should pay attention to.

According to the American Lung Association, indoor air can be even more polluted than the air outdoors.

Three dangerous indoor air pollutants are: formaldehyde (from carpets, upholstery, glues, and paint); benzene(found in plastics, synthetic fibers, lubricants, rubber, and pesticides); and trichloroethylene (foundin paint removers, rug cleaning solution, adhesives, and more).

Unlike the outside, these pollutants become trapped and concentrated in our air-tight homes, aggravating conditions like asthma and allergies.

The good news is there’s a natural way to combat this indoor air pollution: houseplants!

Scroll through below to learn how easy-to-grow house plants can add a splash of color to your home while also making it easier to breath.

Which of these plants will you be adding to your house to help clear the air? Let us know in the comments.

[H/T: NASA]

1. Spider Plant

Spider plants love bright, indirect sunlight, and they won’t shrivel up and die just because you forgot to water them for a few days.

While growing, they remove formaldehyde and xylene from the air.

2. Golden Pothos

This plant loves to be kept out of direct sunlight and only needs to be watered when the soil becomes dry to the touch.

While growing — quite quickly, I might add — it will remove formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, benzene, carbon monoxide, and more from the air.

3. Dracaena Plant

There are over 40 different varieties of Dracaena, but all of them look a lot like small palm trees. They have long, wide leaves that are often striped with white, cream, or red coloring.

While growing, the Dracaena will remove pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene from the air.

4. Ficus/Weeping Fig

Give this plant bright, indirect light and allow the soil to dry out between waterings (which means it’s good for busy people who often forget to water!).

It will scrub benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene out of your home’s air.

5. Peace Lily

The peace lily is a great flowering plant for indoor containers because it prefers to live in the shade.

It will remove ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air.

6. Rubber Plant

Rubber pants are quite exotic looking, and thrive in full or bright, filtered sunlight.

Rubber plants eliminate carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from your home’s indoor air.

7. Boston Fern

These luscious plants prefer cool locations with high humidity and indirect light, which makes them great for small apartments on the East Coast.

While growing, they will draw formaldehyde and xylene out of the air.

8. Snake Plant/Mother-in-Law’s Tongue

This hardy plant actually prefers drier conditions and doesn’t need constant sun. And even if you screw up and give it water and lots of light (like I often do), it’ll still keep truckin’ along.

The snake plant will remove pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene from your home.

9. Aloe Vera

Like many cacti, aloe vera only asks for sunlight and the infrequent watering. In addition to being the best possible burn salve you could want, aloe vera can also help heal your air.

Aloe has been shown to remove formaldehyde from the air of your home.

These amazing plants can clear the air of pollutants in your home, making it easier to breathe for you and your family.

Which of these air-friendly plants will you be getting for your house? Let us know in the comments.

Please SHARE these incredible indoor plants with friends and family!