Twelve Indoor Plants That Want to Clean Your Air

NASA did a clean air study and found that certain plants clean the air better than others.  The following list contains NASA's recommended plants as well as a few others.

Bamboo Palm, also known as Aceca Palm, filters xylene, formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, chloroform, toluene, and more from the air.  The bamboo palm also works as a natural humidifier.  Keep the soil moist and place this plant in bright, indirect light.

Bamboo Palm

Dracaena.  There are over 100 different species of dracaena, and most of them are great for indoor air purification.  A dracaena plant will filter formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and xylene from the air.  Keep the soil damp but never soggy.  Keep dracaena plants away from pets.

Dracaena

Chinese Evergreen is a plant that requires a little more care.  A Chinese evergreen will filter benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and more toxins from the air.  This plant likes higher humidity levels.  Water soil moderately and allow it to nearly dry out before watering again.  This plant is toxic to dogs.

Chinese Evergreen

English Ivy comes in a few different species.  Each species have slightly different light requirements.  Water soil generously during periods of growth and water significantly less during winter months.  This plant will filter formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, and trichloroethylene from the air.  This plant is toxic to animals and humans.

English Ivy

Peace Lily.  The peace lily is excellent for filtering the air in your home.  It filters formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, trichloroethylene, ammonia, and other toxins.  The peace lily will do well in most lighting conditions and likes slightly moist soil.  This plant is toxic to animals and humans.

Peace Lily

Spider Plant.  There are over 200 different species of the spider plant.  Water your spider plant two or three times per week.  This plant will filter formaldehyde and xylene from the air.  This plant is non-toxic and is safe for pets.

Spider Plant

Potted Mum, also known as Chrysanthemum, will filter ammonia, formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene from the air.  Keep this soil damp and check it often.  This plant is toxic to animals.

Potted Mum

Ficus.  Ficus plants like bright, indirect light.  Make sure to let the soil dry out before watering.  The ficus will filter benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air.

Ficus

Boston Fern.  The Boston fern does best in higher humidity and indirect light.  Keep the soil moist and give this plant a good soak once a month.  The Boston fern filters formaldehyde and xylene from the air.

Boston Fern

Snake Plant, also known as Mother In Law's Tongue, requires some sun and drier soil with occasional watering.  The snake plant will clean formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and xylene from the air.

Snake Plant

Aloe Vera.  Keep aloe vera in a warm, well-lit room.  Make sure soil is able to drain adequately as this plant doesn't do well with sitting water.  Aloe Vera will filter formaldehyde from the air.

Aloe Vera

Gerbera Daisy.  Gerbera daisies need bright, direct light in spring, summer, and fall.  In winter, gerbera daisies will need indirect light.  Water when the top half inch of soil is dry.  This plant will clean the air of benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

Gerbera Daisy