15 Houseplants That Oxygenate and Purify Your Home

Houseplants are not only beautiful additions to your home, but they also serve a crucial role in improving indoor air quality. Many plants have the ability to oxygenate and purify the air, making your home a healthier place to live.

Whether you’re looking to reduce toxins, increase humidity, or simply enjoy the calming presence of greenery, these 15 plants will bring a breath of fresh air to your space.

#1. Spider Plant

The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is an air-purifying powerhouse, known for its ability to filter harmful substances like formaldehyde and xylene from the air.

It’s also incredibly easy to care for and thrives in various light conditions, making it perfect for beginners. The long, arching green leaves with white stripes add a vibrant touch to any room.

#2. Snake Plant

Commonly known as the “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue,” the snake plant is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that absorbs toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

Not only does it purify the air, but it also releases oxygen at night, unlike most plants. It thrives in indirect light and requires little watering, making it ideal for busy households.

#3. Aloe Vera

Beyond its well-known medicinal benefits, aloe vera also purifies the air by removing formaldehyde and benzene. Its thick, fleshy leaves store water, meaning it requires minimal care.

Place it in a sunny spot, and it will thrive while also improving the quality of your home’s air. Plus, its gel can be used to treat burns and cuts.

#4. Peace Lily

The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is a beautiful and effective air purifier. It removes toxins like ammonia, benzene, and formaldehyde, while also increasing humidity in dry indoor environments.

Known for its glossy, dark green leaves and elegant white blooms, it thrives in low to medium light. It’s also an excellent plant for improving indoor air quality in bathrooms or kitchens.

#5. English Ivy

English ivy (Hedera helix) is an effective tool for removing airborne mold and reducing levels of formaldehyde and benzene. It grows well in a variety of light conditions and can be trained to climb trellises or drape from pots.

Its trailing vines bring an element of nature into your space, making it a great choice for purifying the air.

#6. Areca Palm

The Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) is an elegant plant that helps to remove harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde and xylene from the air. It also acts as a natural humidifier, improving air quality and moisture levels.

With its feathery, arching fronds, it makes a stunning addition to any room and thrives in bright, indirect light.

#7. Bamboo Palm

This tropical plant excels at removing indoor air pollutants, particularly benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. The bamboo palm is easy to grow and requires minimal maintenance.

It prefers indirect light and moderate watering. Its lush green leaves also add a touch of tropical freshness to your home.

#8. Dracaena

Dracaena is a diverse genus with various species that can purify the air by removing chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.

It’s a hardy plant that thrives in low light and doesn’t require frequent watering. Its striking, spiky leaves in shades of green, yellow, and red create an attractive focal point in any room.

#9. Gerbera Daisy

While it’s known for its stunning flowers, the gerbera daisy also acts as an air purifier. It effectively removes trichloroethylene and benzene from indoor environments.

Its bright, colorful blooms can cheer up any room, while its air-purifying properties contribute to better air quality, especially in bedrooms.

#10. Golden Pothos

Golden pothos, also known as Devil’s ivy, is a popular houseplant that is incredibly easy to grow and maintain. It filters out pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene.

This fast-growing vine thrives in low light, making it an ideal choice for offices or rooms with minimal natural sunlight. It also works well as a hanging plant or trailing down from shelves.

#11. Philodendron

The rubber plant (ficus elastica)is a powerful air purifier that removes toxins like formaldehyde and xylene. It has large, glossy leaves that are not only beautiful but effective in improving air quality.

This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers to dry out slightly between waterings, making it a great option for busy homeowners.

#12. Chinese Evergreen

Philodendrons are easy-care plants that are excellent at filtering out formaldehyde from indoor air. Their heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines can grow quite long, making them a perfect addition to shelves, hanging baskets, or pots.

They do well in low to medium light and require little attention beyond occasional watering.

#13. ZZ Plant

Chinese evergreen is a low-maintenance houseplant known for its ability to purify air by removing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene. With its attractive variegated leaves, it can add a pop of color to any room.

This plant thrives in low light and is perfect for beginners looking for an easy-to-care-for air purifier.

#14. Crispy Wave Fern

The ZZ plant is known for its hardiness and air-purifying properties. It can filter out toxins like xylene, toluene, and benzene, while also being nearly indestructible.

Its glossy, dark green leaves thrive in low light and require very little water, making it perfect for busy individuals or those new to plant care.

#15. Rubber Plant

The crispy wave fern is a unique variety of the Boston Fern and is an excellent choice for improving indoor air quality. It helps to filter out pollutants such as formaldehyde and xylene while increasing humidity levels in your home.

This fern thrives in humid, indirect light environments, making it perfect for bathrooms or kitchens.