Air pollutants such as these are classified as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals can contaminate indoor spaces as byproducts of building materials, home cleaners, personal care products, smoking, cooking, and wood-burning stoves. Inhaled VOCs can cause irritation of the eyes and nasal passages, exacerbation of respiratory problems, and contribute to chronic lung disease.
Sometimes air purifying systems with HEPA filters are recommended for purifying indoor air, especially when someone is especially sensitive to airborne irritants. While they remove some toxins from the air, they don’t remove all of them.
Some experts suggest that the air-cleaning effects of indoor greenery are not strong enough to have a positive impact on human health. However, others suggest that living indoor greenery is an underutilized tool when it comes to enhancing indoor air quality, especially for people with respiratory issues.
Which Plants Clean Air Most Effectively?
All plants undergo photosynthesis, a process that removes carbon dioxide from the air and releases oxygen. Most plants that emerge above the soil also remove a variety of VOCs, including heptane, 3-methylhexane, toluene, ethylbenzene, and m,p-xylenes.
After assessing a large number of houseplants to determine which was most effective in removing VOCs, the following were found to top an often-cited list published by NASA. Over the years, continued research has continued to point to these plants as the leaders in purifying indoor air.
Research shows that common varieties of this plant can remove formaldehyde in indoor spaces.
English ivy has a natural ability to filter nasty pollutants from indoor air, including benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.
When grown indoors, Boston ferns effectively remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.
Indoors, it has the ability to filter out xylene and toluene from the air. With long fanning leaves, the plant is sensitive to over-watering and does best in bright light.
It’s important to be aware that plants and soil can harbor harmful microorganisms, especially if they aren’t well taken care of. In addition, pesticides used on some plants can bring harmful chemicals into your home. (You may want to choose organic options.)
Lastly, some houseplants can be toxic to animals, so be sure to ask your vet for a list of options that are off-limits.
A Word From Verywell
Keep in mind, too, that plants have a variety of beneficial effects including a general sense of well-being, elevated mood, and diminished anxiety. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to find, and add beauty to your home. Differing opinions on the extent of their power to cleanse indoor air aside, this is one example of a health solution that has far more potential pros than cons.
