NASA research scientists have announced that the common indoor plant may provide a natural way of helping combat sick building syndrome. Additionally, improving indoor air quality can also be effectively achieved with certain houseplants that are known for their air-purifying abilities. We highlight the best plants below.

What plants are best for indoor air quality?

Based on the use of common indoor plants for indoor air purification, NASA studied about a dozen popular varieties of ornamental plants to determine their effectiveness in removing several key pollutants associated with indoor air pollution. NASA research found that living plants are so efficient at absorbing contaminants in the air that some will be launched into space as part of the biological life support system aboard future orbiting space stations.

1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

• Benefits: Known for its ability to remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.
• Care: Easy to care for, thrives in indirect sunlight, and tolerates a range of temperatures.

2. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

• Benefits: Effective at removing formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene, and nitrogen oxides.
• Care: Low-maintenance, tolerates low light, and infrequent watering.

3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

• Benefits: Removes formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, and ammonia.
• Care: Prefers indirect light and consistently moist soil.

4. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)

• Benefits: Known for removing formaldehyde and benzene.
• Care: Needs bright, indirect sunlight and infrequent watering.

5. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

• Benefits: Removes formaldehyde and xylene.
• Care: Prefers high humidity, indirect light, and regular watering.

6. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

• Benefits: Effective at removing formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and toluene.
• Care: Thrives in moderate light and prefers moist soil.

7. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

• Benefits: Known for removing formaldehyde.
• Care: Prefers bright, indirect light and moderate watering.

8. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

• Benefits: Removes formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and toluene.
• Care: Very easy to care for, tolerates low light, and infrequent watering.

9. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

• Benefits: Effective at removing formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and xylene.
• Care: Prefers indirect light and regular watering.

10. Dracaena (Dracaena spp.)

• Benefits: Removes formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene.
• Care: Prefers bright, indirect light and moist soil.

11. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

• Benefits: Removes formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.
• Care: Prefers bright, indirect light and regular watering.

12. Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

• Benefits: Known for removing benzene and trichloroethylene.
• Care: Needs bright light and well-drained soil.

13. Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)

• Benefits: Effective at removing formaldehyde.
• Care: Prefers indirect light and regular watering.

14. Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)

• Benefits: Removes formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.
• Care: Prefers bright, indirect light and regular watering.

15. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

• Benefits: Known for removing formaldehyde and benzene.
• Care: Tolerates low light and infrequent watering.