12 Best Indoor Plants that Purify the Air & Freshen Up Your Home

I like to think of indoor plants as little, green superheroes battling invisible enemies in the air. Whenever I’m in my kitchen, I admire (and thank) my snake plants for making my home’s air fresher.

Research shows that certain plants can filter out harmful toxins, boost oxygen levels, and promote overall mood. Adding them to your home is a simple way to breathe easier and live better.

Indoor plants that purify the air of harmful toxins include snake plants, peace lilies, Areca and bamboo palms, spider plants, Boston ferns, English Ivy, rubber plants, aloe vera, golden pothos, dracaenas, and Chinese evergreens. Some are better at tackling toxins, while others reduce mold spores.

It’s easy to transform your home into a living oasis with plants that do double duty: They look great while cleaning the air you breathe. Let’s explore a list of incredible indoor plants that work hard to detoxify your air while being a joy to care for.

Top 12 Air Purifying Houseplants for Your Home

Choosing a functional and beautiful indoor plant has never been easier! I’ve curated a list of 12 beautiful plants that help eliminate mold, benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and other impurities. Are you ready to revamp your space with these natural air-purifying wonders?

#1. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

The snake plant, also called mother-in-law’s tongue, is practically indestructible, making it perfect for forgetful plant parents. What’s special about these succulents is that they produce oxygen at night, so they’re a great option to put into your bedroom for fresh air while you sleep.

You’ll love its striking upright leaves and the fact that this plant cleans the air of toxins like formaldehyde. Place your snake plant in indirect sunlight or low light — it’ll thrive in most places. Also, water sparingly, as snake plants prefer dry soil between waterings.

#2. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

A peace lily isn’t just beautiful with its glossy evergreen leaves and white flowers — it’s also a hardworking air purifier. Peace lilies love low to medium light, so you can keep one in a corner or near a shaded window.

Water your peace lily only when the soil feels dry to the touch, but don’t allow the roots to sit in soggy soil. Peace lilies thrive in higher-humidity areas and would do well in bathrooms.

Remember, however, that if consumed, these plants are highly toxic to people, cats, and dogs, so you’d need to place them mindfully.

#3. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

The Areca Palm, or butterfly palm, brings tropical vibes while working overtime to improve air quality. Hailing from Madagascar, this indoor plant’s feathery fronds thrive in bright, indirect light, meaning it’d do well near a sunny window but out of direct rays.

Water your Areca Palm when the top inch of soil dries out, and mist the leaves occasionally to boost the humidity around it. This cute palm not only cleans the air but also adds a soft, welcoming touch to most spaces.

#4. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

The spider plant is an excellent beginner-friendly choice, thanks to its low-maintenance nature and adorable “babies” (offshoots).

Hang a spider plant in bright, indirect sunlight or let it thrive on a shelf with medium light. Some people have noted the more sunlight their spider plants receive, the more their leaves curl.

Water your spider plant weekly or whenever the soil feels dry. This will keep your plant healthy while removing carbon monoxide and formaldehyde from the air, a lifesaver in homes with gas appliances or smokers.

My father smokes in his study, so my mom has strategically placed a whole lot of spider plants in the room — they soften the masculine room and work extra hard at purifying the air.

#5. Boston Fern (Nephrolepsis exaltata)

The Boston or sword fern is lush, frilly, and hardworking when filtering toxins in the air. This plant loves high humidity and warm conditions, so it’s perfect for a bathroom or kitchen with indirect light.

Keep a Boston fern’s soil moist but never waterlogged, and mist the leaves often. With some care, this fern offers excellent rewards: it brightens your space and makes the air feel cleaner and fresher.

#6. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)

Aloe vera is a multitasking marvel, and having one on your property is always a good idea. This plant purifies the air and offers a soothing gel for burns and cuts, promoting healing for skin ailments. I know my family holds this plant in high esteem, as everyone has at least two!

Being a relatively hardy succulent, the aloe vera plant enjoys bright, indirect light or being near a sunny window. It’s perfect for a kitchen or sunny bathroom. Water aloes frugally, allowing the soil to dry out entirely between drinks.

#7. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Rubber plants have glossy, oversized leaves, making a bold statement while eliminating toxins like formaldehyde from the air. This ficus thrives in medium to bright indirect light but tolerates low light, too.

Water your rubber plant when its soil is slightly dry, and wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them shiny and dust-free. This low-effort plant offers big rewards regarding looks and air-purifying benefits.

But remember, if you transplant it into your garden, it could become huge, so it should be planted away from structures and swimming pools.

Our transplanted rubber plant grew taller than the house and its roots started lifting the paving as they grew toward the swimming pool.

#8. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

English ivy (common ivy) is a versatile air purifier you can train to climb or let trail elegantly from a hanging pot. It thrives in medium to bright indirect light but will tolerate lower light conditions.

Water English ivy when the soil feels dry, but don’t let its roots sit in standing water. Known for tackling mold spores, this creeper is a great addition to bathrooms or kitchens with limited ventilation.

#9. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum auerum)

Golden pothos is a vine that earned its nickname, “Devil’s Ivy,” because it’s so easy to grow. It thrives in indirect sunlight, whether low or bright, making it perfect for just about any spot in your home.

Water golden pothos when its soil dries out, and watch it trail or climb as you breathe in its purified air. This beauty is hardy and forgiving and naturally removes toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene.

#10. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

The bamboo palm is similar to an Areca palm, except it originates from Central America and Mexico’s rainforests.

This graceful and effective air-cleaning powerhouse has elegant fronds that thrive in bright, indirect light. However, it can also handle lower-light conditions.

Keep your bamboo palm’s soil consistently moist, and mist it occasionally to prevent the leaves from turning brown. This plant is ideal for larger spaces requiring improved air quality, and it’ll make the space feel natural and calm.

#11. Dracaena (Dracaena marginata)

Dracaena — or the dragon tree — has spiky, colorful leaves that add a modern touch to a room while filtering out toxins like xylene and benzene from the air. The plant prefers bright, indirect light but tolerates dimmer spots, too.

Let the topmost inch of soil dry out before watering, and avoid overwatering. Dracaena is as easy-going as it looks. It adds a touch of sophistication while effortlessly cleaning the air.

#12. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

The Chinese evergreen is a versatile beauty with variegated leaves that brighten low-light spaces. It’s one of the most low-maintenance air purifiers, thriving with occasional watering when the soil feels dry.

Keep Chinese evergreens in low to medium light, and they’ll happily filter out common pollutants like formaldehyde. Their easy-care nature and adaptability make them a top choice for busy households.

Final Thoughts

Air-purifying plants are more than pretty green decor for your home; they’re hardworking allies for a healthier indoor environment. From low-maintenance beauties like the snake plant and golden pothos to the humidity-loving Boston fern and bamboo palm, each one filters toxins, improves air quality, and effortlessly enhances your space.

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