If the air inside your home feels stale, adding a few houseplants can make the space feel fresher and more inviting. Air purifiers have their place, but they can be expensive to buy and maintain. Houseplants offer another way to bring greenery indoors while adding color and texture to your rooms.
Some plants have been studied for their ability to absorb certain airborne compounds under controlled conditions. They also add moisture to the air through normal plant processes. That said, houseplants shouldn’t be treated as a replacement for proper ventilation or an air purifier, especially if you’re dealing with serious indoor air pollution.
Still, there are plenty of reasons to keep a few around. These 12 plants are easy to find, attractive, and useful additions to a home.
Snake Plant
Snake plants, also known as Sansevieria, have earned a reputation for being incredibly easy to care for. They tolerate low light and don’t need frequent watering, making them a good pick for busy plant owners or anyone who occasionally forgets about their greenery.
Snake plants are also known for exchanging gases at night, which has made them a popular choice for bedrooms. Their tall, upright leaves take up little floor space, so they can fit nicely beside a bed, in a corner, or on a shelf.
Related: 14 Indoor Plants Believed to Attract Good Energy
Peace Lily
With glossy green leaves and white flowers, the peace lily can make a room feel brighter almost immediately. It has also been studied for its ability to remove certain indoor air pollutants, including compounds such as benzene and ammonia.
A NASA study included peace lilies among several plants that showed pollutant-removing abilities in controlled environments. NASA Spinoff research on houseplants and indoor air
Peace lilies do need regular watering and prefer indirect light. One important warning for pet owners: peace lilies are toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are a classic choice for anyone who wants greenery without spending hours caring for it. They handle a range of indoor conditions and produce small offshoots, often called spiderettes, that can be rooted into new plants.
They have also been included in research involving indoor pollutants such as carbon monoxide and xylene. Their long, arching leaves look especially nice in hanging planters, where the baby plants can spill over the sides.
Spider plants are also considered pet-friendly, which makes them a practical choice for households with cats and dogs.
Related: 15 Gorgeous Native Plants to Grow Around Your Home
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is handy to have around for more than its appearance. The gel inside mature leaves has long been used to soothe minor skin irritation and sunburns.
The plant has also been studied for its ability to remove certain airborne compounds, including formaldehyde and benzene, from enclosed environments. Aloe vera prefers bright light and doesn’t need frequent watering, so a sunny windowsill is often a good home for it.
Keep in mind that aloe vera can be harmful to dogs and cats if they eat it.
Boston Fern
Boston ferns bring a full, leafy look to rooms that need a little more greenery. They also release moisture through their leaves, which can add some humidity to indoor spaces.
These ferns tend to do well in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas with higher humidity. They aren’t as forgiving as snake plants or pothos, though. Their soil should stay lightly moist, and they can struggle if the air becomes too dry.
With the right care, a Boston fern can become a large, attractive houseplant that adds plenty of greenery to a room.
Related: 10 Beautiful Plants That Also Keep Garden Pests Away
Areca Palm
If you like the look of tropical plants, an areca palm can give a room that feel without requiring a full indoor jungle. Its long, feather-like fronds add plenty of visual interest and can also release moisture into the surrounding air.
Areca palms prefer bright, indirect light and regular watering. They can grow fairly large, so give one enough room to spread out.
They are also considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them a useful choice for pet-friendly homes.
Rubber Plant
Rubber plants have thick, glossy leaves that make them stand out among more delicate houseplants. They can grow into impressive indoor trees when given enough space, though they can also be kept smaller with pruning.
They tolerate indoor conditions well and prefer bright, indirect light. Like many other houseplants on this list, rubber plants have been studied for their ability to absorb certain airborne compounds.
Their leaves can collect dust, so wiping them down from time to time helps keep the plant looking healthy.
Related: 15 Easy-Care Plants That Naturally Repel Garden Pests
English Ivy
English ivy is a fast-growing plant with trailing stems that work well in hanging baskets or on high shelves. Research has looked at its ability to reduce airborne mold and certain pollutants in enclosed spaces.
It does need regular attention because it can become unruly indoors if left unchecked. Bright, indirect light and consistent moisture usually keep it looking its best.
There is also a safety concern for families with pets. English ivy can cause stomach upset and other symptoms if eaten, so keep it away from curious animals.
Bamboo Palm
Bamboo palms bring a soft tropical look to living rooms, bedrooms, and offices. They prefer bright, indirect light but can tolerate somewhat lower light levels once established.
The plant has been included in studies examining indoor pollutants such as benzene and trichloroethylene. NASA’s Clean Air Study is often cited in discussions about houseplants and indoor air quality. NASA Clean Air Study overview
Bamboo palms can also add moisture to dry indoor air. Give them room to spread and keep their soil from becoming completely dry.
Golden Pothos
Golden pothos is one of those plants that seems to thrive with very little attention. Its heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines make it an easy way to add greenery to a shelf, bookcase, or hanging planter.
Pothos has been studied for its ability to absorb compounds such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide in controlled settings. It can also handle lower-light rooms better than many other houseplants.
There is one catch for pet owners: pothos is toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, so keep it somewhere your pets can’t reach.
Dracaena
Dracaena comes in several varieties, with different leaf colors, patterns, and growth habits. That makes it easy to find one that fits your space.
Some dracaena varieties have been included in research involving indoor pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. Most prefer bright, indirect light and moderate watering.
They can grow quite tall indoors, giving an empty corner a more finished look without requiring a lot of plants.
Dracaena is another plant that should be kept away from cats and dogs because it can cause unpleasant symptoms if eaten.
Philodendron
Philodendrons have been popular houseplants for decades, and it’s easy to see why. Their heart-shaped leaves and trailing growth make them attractive in hanging baskets, shelves, and plant stands.
Some varieties have been studied for their ability to absorb formaldehyde and other indoor pollutants. They are also fairly forgiving about indoor conditions, making them a common choice for newer plant owners.
Like pothos, philodendrons contain calcium oxalate crystals and can cause painful irritation if pets chew on them. Keep them somewhere safely out of reach.
A Note About Houseplants and Indoor Air
Houseplants can make a home feel fresher and more pleasant, but they shouldn’t be your only plan for improving indoor air quality. The NASA research often cited in articles about air-purifying plants was performed in sealed laboratory environments, which don’t perfectly match the conditions of a normal home.
For everyday indoor air quality, opening windows when outdoor conditions allow, controlling moisture, cleaning regularly, reducing indoor smoke, and fixing sources of pollution can make a much bigger difference. An appropriately sized air purifier can also help with airborne particles.
Still, there is no reason you can’t have both. A few healthy plants can bring life to your rooms while making your home feel more comfortable and lived-in.
