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20 Best Plants for Cleaning Indoor Air

Discover the top 20 air purifying plants that aid in the removal of pollutants.

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Photo: Image courtesy of Costa Farms

Houseplants for Health

We spend a lot of time indoors, making healthy indoor air quality a top priority. An oft-cited NASA Clean Air Study from 1989 found that some indoor plants can reduce indoor air pollutants, including formladehyde. Great news for lovers of houseplants like pothos, pictured above! Well, a more recent study by the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology concluded that, while indoor plants do purify the air, they do so at a rate too slow to make much of a difference.

Still, every bit helps, right? And do we really need another reason to fill our homes with natural beauty? Read on to find out the top air-purifying plants that aid in the removal of pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene and carbon monoxide.

Remember: Some plants and plant parts can be toxic. Keep them out of the reach of children and pets.

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Photo: Shutterstock/My Imagine

English Ivy

Hedera helix

Beautiful as a groundcover or a houseplant, English ivy is a classically elegant choice that is also excellent for removing harmful chemicals found in the home. It can grow in full shade to full sun, can be trained into shapes and with proper care, it is likely to survive for several years.

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English Ivy

English Ivy

$22.99 at Amazon

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Photo: Shutterstock/Oleg Samoylov

Bamboo Palm

Chamaedorea seifrizii

Since the bamboo palm, or reed palm, prefers part sun or shade, it makes a great houseplant with the added benefit of aiding in the removal of harmful elements such as benzene and formaldehyde.

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Bamboo Palm

Bamboo Palm

$195 at Bloomscape

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Photo: Shutterstock/Prapa

Chinese Evergreen

Aglaonema modestum

The Chinese evergreen is an easy-care plant that thrives in low to medium light. It generally grows to 1 or 2 feet. Though it helps to maintain healthy air quality in the home, it is important to note that the Chinese evergreen contains an irritant that can be toxic to pets.

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Chinese Evergreen

Chinese Evergreen

$20.99 at Amazon

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