Gorgeous Plants for Cleaner Indoor Air

We spend 90% of our time indoors, and unfortunately, indoor air can have a higher concentration of pollutants than the air outdoors (1, 2).

Indoors, we absorb chemicals like VOCs, which are known to be irritants and possible carcinogens. They also contribute to skin reactions like eczema and visible signs of aging (3).

But there’s a simple and elegant solution to this problem.

Air-purifying plants remove the pollutants found in furniture, paint, and other household items, absorbing them into their roots and soil. (4)

They also come with the many benefits of indoor greenery: better mood, reduced stress, improved productivity, and naturally oxygenated air (5). Not to mention an instantly stylish home.

A note of caution -- some of these can be toxic to pets or humans, and they each have their own preferred environment and types of care.

Here are our favorite gorgeous air-purifying plants to keep at work or at home.

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)

Easy to maintain, this green and white glory is the most efficient at removing airborne VOCs, according to research by NASA. Keep it in a corner without too much light and water it once a week.

Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum)

These “air plants” are low-maintenance and hard to kill -- perfect for those of us with a black thumb. Keep them in hanging baskets for that 70s macrame vibe.

Bamboo palms (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

Elegant, tall, and oh so green. Mist them every now and then to keep spider mites off, and enjoy your detoxification with style. 

Florist’s chrysanthemum

Cheap and beautiful. They only bloom for a few weeks, but when the flowers are gone, you can plant them outside. 

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Alongside its many other healthful properties, this spiny succulent cleans formaldehyde and benzene in the air.

Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)

A low-maintenance evergreen that likes high humidity and bright sunlight -- keep it in the corner of a sunny room, away from direct light.

Flamingo lily (Anthurium andraenum)

This delicate plant rewards the careful gardener with gorgeous, glossy red flowers. It’s very good at removing pollutants like toluene and xylene which are found in printer ink emission, making it an ideal addition to your home office. 

Read more about airborne pollutants like VOCs and their effects on skin appearance.