The following list of beneficial types of houseplants that should get you started in finding the right plants for your home.
Common Name: Aloe Vera
Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis
Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis
Benefits: Not only can it be used for burns on the skin, it is also known to remove formaldahyde from the air.
Notes: Needs well-drained soil with slight drying between waterings, full sun is best with protection from high heats. Although largely known for its healing properties, it is considered to be an irritant to some.
Common Name: Areca Palm
Botanical Name: Chrysalidocarpus lutescens
Botanical Name: Chrysalidocarpus lutescens
Benefits: General air purifier, especially as it grows larger. It's known for being one of the better performers in purifying the air.
Notes: Moderately drought tolerant and prefers partial sun and well-drained soil.
Common Name: Baby Rubber Plant
Botanical Name: Peperomia obtusifolia or Ficus robusta
Botanical Name: Peperomia obtusifolia or Ficus robusta
Benefits: These houseplants clean the air by emitting high oxygen content, and purifies indoor air by removing chemicals, such as formaldahyde or other toxins.
Notes: Likes filtered light, infrequent watering and rich soil. I've found conflicting information as to whether or not this plant contains any poisonous parts.
Common Name: Bamboo Palm or Reed Palm
Botanical Name: Chamaedorea seifrizii
Botanical Name: Chamaedorea seifrizii
Benefits: According to NASA, it removes formaldahyde and is also said to act as a natural humidifier.
Notes: Likes bright, indirect light and prefers to remain moist but not too much and doesn't like sitting in water.
Common Name: Boston Fern
Botanical Name: Nephrolepis exaltata Bostoniensis
Botanical Name: Nephrolepis exaltata Bostoniensis
Benefits: Said to act as a natural air humidifier, removes formaldahyde and is a general air purifier. Said to be among the best in air purifying houseplants.
Notes: Likes bright light and damp soil but can be tolerant of drought or partial light.
Common Name: Chinese Evergreen
Botanical Name: Aglaonema sp.
Botanical Name: Aglaonema sp.
Benefits: Emits high oxygen content, and purifies indoor air by removing chemicals, such as formaldahyde, benzene or other toxins.
Notes: Does well with full shade and good draining; variegated plants need more sunlight. The sap of this plant is considered poisonous and is an irritant.
Common Name: Corn Cane or Mass Cane
Botanical Name: Dracaena massangeana or dracaena fragrans Massangeana
Botanical Name: Dracaena massangeana or dracaena fragrans Massangeana
Benefits: Known for removing formaldahyde and known generally as one of the houseplants that clean the air.
Notes: Does great with low light and low water.
Common Name: Dwarf/Pygmy Date Palm
Botanical Name: Phoenix roebelenii
Botanical Name: Phoenix roebelenii
Benefits: Said to remove formaldehyde and xylene (a chemical found in plastics and solvents) from the air.
Notes: Loves lots of sun, moist soil and warm water.
Common Name: English Ivy
Botanical Name: Hedera helix
Botanical Name: Hedera helix
Benefits: It's known for removing the chemical benzene, a known carcinogen found in cigarette smoke, detergents, pesticides, and the off-gasing of other synthetic materials, is said to be fantastic for asthma and allergies and also removes formaldehyde.
Notes: Can be invasive, making it great for a potted plant.
Common Name: Ficus alii
Botanical Name: Ficus maeleilandii alii
Botanical Name: Ficus maeleilandii alii
Benefits: Said to be a great overall air purifier.
Notes: These types of houseplants love indirect sunlight; be careful not to overwater. Those with allergies to latex may react to this plant!
Common Name: Gerbera Daisy
Botanical Name: Gerbera sp. or Gerbera jamesonii
Botanical Name: Gerbera sp. or Gerbera jamesonii
Benefits: NASA says this plant is fantastic at removing benzene, a known cancer-causing chemical. It also absorbs carbon dioxide and gives off oxygen overnight, which is said to improve your sleep!
Notes: Likes bright light
Common Name: Golden Pothos
Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum syn. Scindapsus aureus
Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum syn. Scindapsus aureus
Benefits: NASA places this plant among the top 3 types of houseplants great for removing formaldhyde. Also known for removing carbon monoxide and increasing general indoor air quality.
Notes: Needs less water in colder temps and partial sun.
Common Name: Janet Craig
Botanical Name: Draecana deremensis
Botanical Name: Draecana deremensis
Benefits: Lady Palm is said to be a good overall air purifier, removing most air pollutants.
Notes: Prefers indirect sunlight, and watering without fertilizers.
Common Name: Kimberly Queen Fern
Botanical Name: Nephrolepis obliterata
Botanical Name: Nephrolepis obliterata
Benefits: These types of houseplants clean formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene out of your home.
Notes: Prefers bright but indirect sunlight, with dry soil between waterings (but not dry for too long).
Common Name: Lady Palm (plus 10+ varieties)
Botanical Name: Rhapis Excelsa
Botanical Name: Rhapis Excelsa
Benefits: These types of houseplants are said to be a good overall air purifier, removing most air pollutants.
Notes: Prefers partial sun all day and shade in the winter, with more frequent water in hotter months, but never allow to sit in water or be overwatered.
Common Name: Marginata or Dragon tree
Botanical Name: Dracaena marginata
Botanical Name: Dracaena marginata
Benefits: Known for purifying the air of the carcinogen, benzene, commonly found in the off-gasing of synthetic materials, ciagerette smoke and other household chemicals. Also known for removing formaldahyde, xylene (found in varnishes, paints and paint thinners) and trichloroethylene (found in solvents) from the air.
Notes: It requires little attention, tolerates dry soil and irregular watering and prefers no direct sunlight. It is, however, susceptible to fluoride toxicity (so fluoridated water sources may need to be avoided).
Common Name: Moth Orchid
Botanical Name: Phalaenopsis
Botanical Name: Phalaenopsis
Benefits: Said to remove VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and formaldahyde commonly off-gased from paints, solvents and other synthetic materials.
Notes: Thrives in high humidity, lots of light (but not hot, mid-day sun) and thorough waterings with, unlike many types of houseplants, almost complete drying out between.
Common Name: Mums
Botanical Name: Chrysanthemum sp. or Chrysanthemum morifolium
Botanical Name: Chrysanthemum sp. or Chrysanthemum morifolium
Benefits: Very effective at removing benzene, a carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) associated with most chemicals, plastics, cigarettes and off-gasing. Also removes trichloroethylene (found in solvets and cleaners), formaldehyde and ammonia.
Notes: Likes partial sun, and lots of water. Although they're among the houseplants that clean the air, they only flower once and are generally annual plants, especially when planted outdoors.
Common Name: Peace Lily
Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum sp.
Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum sp.
Benefits: Known for removing benzene, a common household chemical and known carcinogen. It's also said to remove mold spores in the air, making it great for bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms; purifying the air of trichloroethylene, a chemical found in cleaners and solvents; and removing alcohols, acetone, and formaldehyde.
Notes: Easy to care for, it prefers lots of water, less often and bright, indirect light.
Common Name: Philodendron
Botanical Name: P. cordatum, P.scandens or P. selloum
Botanical Name: P. cordatum, P.scandens or P. selloum
Benefits: Also noted by NASA among the best tyoes of houseplants for removing formaldahyde, especially higher concentrations.
Notes: Philodendrons are considered poisonous, so keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Common Name: Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
Benefits: Found by NASA to absorb toxins, such as nitrogen oxides and formaldahyde.
Notes: It tolerates low light levels and irregular watering (and needs only a few waterings throughout winter).
Common Name: Schefflera, or Umbrella Tree
Botanical Name: Brassaia actinophylla
Botanical Name: Brassaia actinophylla
Benefits: Said to remove benzene (a carcinogenic substance) from the air.
Notes: Can be toxic to pets and children. Prfers bright but indirect sun and lots of water and humidity.
Common Name: Spider Plant
Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum
Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum
Benefits: NASA places this plant among the top 3 types of houseplants that are great at removing formaldahyde. Also removes carbon monoxide and other toxins or impurities.
Notes: Likes bright, indirect light and lots of water while growing.
Common Name: Warneckii or Dracanaena warneckei
Botanical Name: Dracaena deremeusis or Dracanea deremensis warneckei
Botanical Name: Dracaena deremeusis or Dracanea deremensis warneckei
Benefits: Known for removing trichloroethylene, a chemical found in many solvents, dry cleaning solutions and refrigerants. Also said to remove benzene, a carcinogene.
Notes: Moderate sun and water needs, but, like most types of houseplants, dislikes sitting in water. Avoid fluoridated water sources.
Common Name: Weeping Fig or Ficus Tree
Botanical Name: Ficus benjamina
Botanical Name: Ficus benjamina
Benefits: Known to remove common airborn toxins and increase oxygen levels.
Notes: Prefers bright light and sun, but is also shade-tolerant. Moderate water needs for these types of houseplants.
Reader Questions
I live in an apartment on the 2nd floor. The people below me smoke. It comes through the air vents (I think) in the bedroom and bedroom bathroom. The bathroom gets absolutely no light. The bedroom has a large window facing southeast but also gets late afternoon sun. What kind of plants might survive in the dark shower/toilet area? What plants for very indirect lighting in the sink and dressing area? What plants for the bedroom? (For the moment I have open baking soda containers in each area.) Thank you so very much. - Susan S.
Hi Susan! I'm so sorry to hear about this. What a yucky situation. All plants need at least some light, but from my own personal experience the plant that has been the best for us has been Philodendron (a pic of which can be found above). We've had it in some really low light situations and it still lived (although didn't thrive until it gone a little more light). What you might find necessary though is to take your plants and outdoors for a few hours or place it in a full sun window, doing either 1-2x a week.
If that doesn't work it may well be worth it in this scenario to invest in an air purifier (or even a grow light for hydroponic plants that you can use a coupe hours a day, perhaps on a timer). I'd also highly recommend looking into local laws as I do believe that the apartment management may be liable by law to better seal the vents or air exchange between apartments for this reason. I hope this helps! Good luck!
Looking for more ways to purify the air?
Sometimes we need a little boost in the air. Maybe the flu is going around, or you've recently painted and you want to purify the air.
Purify essential oil is made up of six high-quality essential oils that have been shown to remove odors from the air, and disinfectant and remove harmful airborne micro-organisms. It includes lemon (antiseptic and antiviral), lime (antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic), pine (antimicrobial, antiseptic and anti-infectious), citronella (antiseptic, deodorizing, sanitizing and purifying), melaleuca (antibacterial, antifungal, anti-infectious, antiseptic and antiviral) and cilantro (uplifting and refreshing).
This oil blend can be easily diffused or added to a pan of hot water to make airborne. You can also add it to cleaning products, washing machines, or create a room spray with distilled water.
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