Best AirPurifying Plants

It won’t come as a surprise to you that we’re a big fan of houseplants. They look great, smell amazing and usually last a long time – if you treat them right. But did you know that some plants can also clean the air?

That’s right, there are several air purifying plants that can help clear indoor pollutants, such as mould, dust and other harmful toxins. Here is our round-up of the best air purifying houseplants to add to your home.

WHAT IS AIR PURIFYING?

Air purifying, or purification, is a process that removes particles like dust, pollen and dander from the air we breathe. You might have an air purifier device in your home, but there are also some house plants that have the power to clean the air too.

Air-purifying plants reduce pesky pollutants and convert the carbon dioxide we exhale into oxygen, for improved sleep and breathing. A clean air study by NASA also found that certain plants can help diffuse toxic chemicals found in our homes, including:

• Formaldehyde – can irritate your nose, mouth and throat.
• Benzene – can irritate your eyes and cause drowsiness, dizziness, an increase in heart rate, headaches and confusion.
• Trichloroethylene – can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting.

Ready to turn your home into a clean air sanctuary? Check out some of our favourite air-purifying house plants below.

SNAKE PLANTS

A snake plant – also known as mother-in-law's tongue – is a go-to for anyone starting out their house plant collection. Sword-like leaves and an easy-going nature make this spikey succulent the ideal addition to your home decor.

But it’s not just about looking good. Snake plants are great at filtering and absorbing any harmful toxins in the air too. They are also one of the few plants that can convert CO2 into oxygen at night, making them the perfect air-purifying plants for your bedroom.

SPIDER PLANT

Sticking with the animal theme, spider plants are another popular house plant that can help clean the air. These trailing plants are super low maintenance and flourish in bright (but indirect) sunlight.

There are several types of spider plant, including:

• Variegated – the most popular type of spider plant, with vertical, white-striped leaves.
• Reverse – as the name suggests, this plant is the opposite of the variegated variety, with white edges and a dark green stripe down the centre of the leaves.
• Zebra – this has a similar leaf pattern to the reverse but grows width ways rather than upwards.
• Bonnie – known for its long, curled leaves and bright colouring.

Place them on a living room shelf or hang them from your bedroom ceiling, where their 12 to 18-inch leaves can tumble over the edge of the pot.

BOSTON FERN

Boston ferns have been a popular indoor plant for centuries – even gracing homes in the Victorian era. Their lush leaves add a lovely touch of green to any room and they are one of the most efficient air purifiers.

In fact, Boston ferns are one of the best plants for removing formaldehyde toxins, which commonly come from furniture, carpets, gas stoves and building materials around your home.

Being a natural humidifier, these plants thrive in steamy bathrooms – with a light mist every now and again – as they’re used to more tropical climates.

PEACE LILY

Elegant and easy to care for, peace lilies are a simple way to brighten up your home office, bedroom or bathroom. Like most tropical plants, the peace lily’s glossy green leaves and hooded white flowers grow best in medium light and humid conditions.

Better still, peace lilies are one of the best plants for air purification. They can absorb mould spores, microbes and airborne toxins – restoring peace throughout your living space.

ZZ PLANT (ZAMIOCULCAS ZAMIIFOLIA)

Catch some Zs with the help of a ZZ plant in your bedroom. This glossy, green gem increases the oxygen levels in your home, which can help you drift off and have an undisturbed night’s sleep.

But be careful where you place your ZZ plant and who you buy one for. All parts of the plant are poisonous, so they should go to a pet-free home and stay out of reach from any curious kids.

THE RUBBER PLANT

No, we don’t mean the artificial kind. Rubber plants or trees are one of the best air purifiers for new plant parents – so long as you keep them off the windowsill, away from direct light, and make sure you water them occasionally.

These evergreen trees make an eye-catching statement in any room – and they can reach heights of up to 50 feet. Luckily, when grown indoors, they normally don’t exceed 10 feet, so are perfect for homes with high ceilings.