10 Best Air-Purifying Plants for a Healthier Home
Hey lovely, welcome back to Clever W.A.H.M. Life! If you're looking to bring a little more fresh air (and style) into your home office, playroom, or living space, you're in the right place.
Indoor air quality is something many people overlook, but the truth is, our homes are full of airborne pollutants from cleaning products, furniture, and even the outside environment. Fortunately, houseplants do way more than just sit there looking pretty—they actually help clean the air you breathe! NASA even did a study proving that certain houseplants filter out toxins and improve air quality.
If you’re a busy W.A.H.M. (Work-at-Home Mom) trying to juggle work, kids, and everything in between, adding air-purifying plants to your home is an easy way to boost your health while keeping your space green and gorgeous. It’s a simple way to create a healthier environment without adding extra stress to your already full plate.
So let’s get into it—here are 10 of the best air-purifying plants you NEED in your home today, along with details on their benefits and how to care for them!
1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Air-Purifying Benefits:
If you're a plant newbie (or tend to forget about watering), pothos is your best friend. This trailing beauty thrives in low light and can survive with minimal watering. It removes toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air—perfect for refreshing your workspace!
Care Instructions:
Light: Tolerates low to bright, indirect light. It can survive in dim corners but grows faster in brighter spaces.
Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot. Water every 1-2 weeks.
Humidity: Prefers average to high humidity but adapts well to dry conditions.
Fertilizer: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer).
Propagation: Easy to propagate from cuttings placed in water.
2. Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii)
Air-Purifying Benefits:
This little palm might remind you of a vacation, but it's actually working hard to clean your air. It removes xylene, formaldehyde, and toluene, which can come from paint, furniture, and cleaning products. Bonus? It’s pet-friendly!
Care Instructions:
Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some shade.
Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Humidity: Thrives in high humidity but adapts well to normal household levels.
Fertilizer: Use a palm-specific fertilizer every 2-3 months during the growing season.
Pruning: Remove any yellowing or dead fronds to maintain its appearance.
3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Air-Purifying Benefits:
One of the best air-cleaning plants out there, the peace lily removes ammonia, benzene, and formaldehyde from the air. It also has gorgeous white blooms that brighten up any space!
Care Instructions:
Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but tolerates low light.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water when the top inch of soil dries out.
Humidity: Thrives in high humidity, making it an excellent choice for bathrooms.
Fertilizer: Feed every 6-8 weeks with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
Caution: Peace lilies are toxic to pets, so keep them out of reach of cats and dogs.
4. Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)
Air-Purifying Benefits:
Philodendrons are beautiful, fast-growing, and super easy to care for. They absorb formaldehyde and help keep your air fresh. Plus, they’re great for adding a lush, jungle-like feel to your home!
Care Instructions:
Light: Thrives in medium to bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light.
Watering: Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out before watering. Overwatering can cause root rot.
Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity but adapts to drier conditions.
Fertilizer: Use a liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
Propagation: Easily propagated through stem cuttings placed in water or soil.
5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Air-Purifying Benefits:
Spider plants are one of the easiest plants to grow, even if you have a black thumb. They remove carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and xylene—making them perfect for home offices or nurseries!
Care Instructions:
Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some shade.
Watering: Water when the soil is dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering.
Humidity: Tolerates a wide range of humidity levels.
Fertilizer: Use a general-purpose houseplant fertilizer once a month in spring and summer.
Propagation: Baby plantlets can be removed and potted separately.
6. Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
Air-Purifying Benefits:
Not just a pretty face, mums are air-cleaning superstars! They filter out benzene, ammonia, and formaldehyde while adding a pop of color to your space.
Care Instructions:
Light: Requires bright, indirect light to bloom.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity.
Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks during the growing season.
Lifespan: Typically grown as seasonal houseplants since they have a short indoor lifespan.
7. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Air-Purifying Benefits:
Rubber plants are trendy, easy to care for, and excellent at filtering out formaldehyde from the air. Plus, their deep green leaves add a bold touch to any room!
Care Instructions:
Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but can adapt to lower light.
Watering: Let the soil dry out between waterings. Overwatering can cause root rot.
Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity.
Fertilizer: Use a balanced fertilizer every four weeks during the growing season.
Caution: Toxic to pets if ingested.
8. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Air-Purifying Benefits:
If you struggle with dry air, Boston ferns are a game-changer! They add moisture to the air while removing formaldehyde and xylene. Great for bedrooms and bathrooms!
Care Instructions:
Light: Prefers indirect light but can tolerate some shade.
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Mist regularly.
Humidity: Requires high humidity. Great for bathrooms.
Fertilizer: Feed monthly with a diluted liquid fertilizer.
9. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Air-Purifying Benefits:
This feathery palm is a natural humidifier and filters out benzene, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. It’s safe for pets, too!
Care Instructions:
Light: Thrives in bright, indirect light.
Watering: Water when the topsoil is dry. Avoid letting the roots sit in water.
Humidity: Prefers high humidity.
Fertilizer: Use a palm-specific fertilizer every two months.
10. Dracaena (Dracaena spp.)
Air-Purifying Benefits:
Dracaenas are great for removing trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde. With their tall, dramatic look, they make a great statement piece in any room!
Care Instructions:
Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but tolerates low light.
Watering: Allow soil to dry between waterings. Overwatering can cause root rot.
Humidity: Prefers moderate humidity.
Fertilizer: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every month.
Caution: Toxic to pets if ingested.
Final Thoughts
Adding air-purifying plants to your home is a simple and natural way to improve indoor air quality, boost your mood, and enhance your home’s aesthetics. Which plant will you be adding to your home first? Let me know in the comments!
