NASA Claims These 25 Plants Clean the Air in Your Home Best

The air in our homes can contain toxins and pollution from a variety of sources. Thankfully, there is one easy thing you can do to combat dirty air: buy a plant. Yes, indoor plants have proven successful at helping to filter the air in homes so that you and your family can breathe easier. NASA recently announced the results of their Clean Air Study which determined that certain indoor plants are excellent at cleaning the air in homes.

We have become obsessed with indoor gardening ever since the pandemic trapped us at home. Plants can become your friends and they prove to have benefits when taken care of properly. Removing toxins from the air you intake in your home will make you healthier and happier. Here are 25 plants that clean the air in your home, according to NASA.

25. Pothos / Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)

Otherwise known as pothos or alternatively golden pothos, devil’s ivy is an easy-to-care-for indoor houseplant that will fight off common household toxins like xylene, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. It adds a punch of cascading green to any room when hung from baskets and high shelves.

24. Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix Roebelenii)

The babies of the palm family, Dwarf Date Palms or Phoenix Roebelenii are little palm trees you can grow inside. These palms can grow an extraordinary 10 feet tall and remove formaldehyde and xylene from the air. These babies thrive in partial shade and are very easy to grow.

23. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Spathiphyllum or more commonly called, peace lilies, are handsome plants that clean the air and look so regal when in bloom. The glossy green leaves of this plant catch all sorts of toxins, including benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene. Say “bye” to the toxicity with a peace lily!

22. Heart Shaped Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)

One popular plants for rooms with bright, indirect light are philodendrons. According to NASA, these beauties remove formaldehyde from the air. They are many varieties of philos and all of them are excellent at scrubbing the air.

21. Philodendron ‘Burle Marx’

Architect and plant enthusiast Roberto Burle Marx was one of the first modern architects to use plants as the subject in his designs. Another philodendron, this one is easy to care for and can be attached to a stake and allowed to climb.

20. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

One of the easiest plants to care for, Spider plants or Chlorophytum comosum, look excellent hanging in baskets or from a high shelf. Spider plants also send out shoots of baby spider plants called spiderettes. They grow in almost any condition, removing formaldehyde and xylene in the process.

19. Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Also known as mums, chrysanthemums not only look excellent in a bouquet, they also have the ability to dramatically improve the air quality in your home. They are among the more complicated air purifiers to grow but the payoff is beautiful vibrant blooms. 

18. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastic)

Rubber plants are the perfect plant to clean the air in your home. These handsome, waxy plants can be grown in small pots to look bushy or encouraged to grow into a tree in a large pot. Rubber Plants were shown to remove xylene, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene, according NASA.

17. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata v. Bostoniesis)

The Boston Fern is a stunning plant with sword-shaped fronds that look great radiating from a hanging basket. This fern can clean the air of formaldehyde and xylene. These beauties are relatively easy to grow, requiring a decent amount of humidity.

16. Areca Palms (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)

Areca palms are great for larger spaces as they can grow rather large. They are a powerhouse when it comes to eliminating toxins and they are non-toxic to both dogs and cats. Give this baby a couple of drinks of water a week and it will eliminate benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene to clean the air.

15. Pineapple Plant (Ananas comosus)

In addition to having the ability to clean the air, NASA found that dwarf pineapple plants can actually cure snoring. They release clean air at night which makes the air much easier to breathe.

14. Dracaena “Janet Craig” (Dracaena Deremensis)

Dracaena’s can grow up to 15-foot tall, making them ideal for filling voids and big spaces. These handsome plants love indirect sunlight but under no circumstances should be placed in direct sunlight. The “Janet Craig” variety is favorite but all plants in this family are great at removing xylene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde.

13. Dracaena Marginata Colorama

There are over 120 species in the Draecana family. Another popular one comes in stunning burgundy, Dracaena Marginata Colorama, is a showstopper that will also help you clean the air in your home.

12. Ficus / Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)

Sometimes called a weeping fig, the Ficus benjamina can grow to ten feet tall indoors! A healthy ficus plant will clean the air of formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene. Go ahead, breath a little easier!

11. Fiddle-Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

A wildly popular indoor plant today that is also a fig tree is the Fiddle-leaf Fig or Ficus lyrata. These babies can grow very quickly if left undisturbed. They hate being moved once they have found a “home” in your home. So, keep it in one place once you bring it indoors.

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10. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Sansevieria trifasciata or commonly called, Snake Plant, is one of the most beloved houseplants on the planet. It is a low-maintenance plant that is hardy and thrives on neglect. It is drought tolerant and can go weeks on end without water. Place them in somewhere tolerating bright even direct light for a couple of hours a day. These plants release clean air at night making them ideal for your bedroom.

9. Sansevieria cylindrica

Another fun one from the Sansevieria family is the Sansevieria cylindrica, a plant with a shape similar to little fingers when small. Like the snake plant, it will clean the air of formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, benzene, and xylene. Not bad, right?

8. Aloe Vera

Long treasured for its ability to heal injured skin, Aloe Vera are full of anti-inflammatory properties. They also do a great job to clean the air. If toxins in the air are too extreme, the plant will start to develop brown spots.

7. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

NASA claims that English Ivy is the number one indoor houseplant when it comes to its air purifiers. They grow well in small pots and prefer to be crowded. They are extremely easy plants to propagate and grow like weeds. Hang this baby and let it cascade down or let it climb your walls from below!

6. Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus australis)

Due to ivy’s ability to clean the air, we wanted to share with you another type that looks incredibly smart. NASA claims that ivy is excellent for removing formaldehyde and benzene toxins.

5. Flamingo Lily (Anthurium andraeanum)

Anthurium andraeanum or the Flamingo Lily are beautiful plants that just so happen to clean the air. They add a pop of color to any space, blooming approximately 300 days of the year. These plants love humidity so place your Anthurium in a bathroom or kitchen for best results.

4. Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)

The Lady Palm is a great option when it comes to air cleaners. Contrary, to popular beliefs these palms prefer cooler temps below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Lady Palms clean the air of formaldehyde, ammonia, and xylene toxins.

3. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Chinese Evergreens are remarkably air cleaners. They tolerate most conditions but thrive in well-drained soil, humid temps with medium to low light conditions. Some of their leaves can have absolutely stunning colors.

2. Kimberly Queen Ferns (Nephrolepis obliterata)

Nephrolepis obliterata, the Kimberley Queen fern, is a species of fern in the family Lomariopsidaceae. This fern comes from Australia but is relatively easy to cultivate indoors worldwide. They are super easy to care for and only require good humidity to thrive.

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1. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

Bamboo palms are formaldehyde filtering machines. These palms love full sun exposure as the clean the air. Sold in many different sizes, these plants can grow to 12 feet tall in the right conditions. They are also said to be good luck! What’s not to love?

There you go! What did you think of these 25 house plants that clean the air and make you and your home so much healthier? We kind of want all 25! Plants are the perfect way to decorate your home and to improve your quality of life. We are so glad NASA told us the best plants to the clean the air with the best one they named being English Ivy. Time to go grab some ivy!