Dr. B.C. Wolverton, a former NASA scientist, researched how air purifying plants could be used onboard space missions to benefit the artificial environments onboard their spacecraft. Some of the material in this post are from his discoveries which identified the best plants you can use to improve indoor air quality.

His study found that some plants can be used produce oxygen as well as remove common harmful chemicals from the air and break them down into harmless organic byproducts into the soil, which the plants then use as food. These chemicals that are harmful to health are off-gassed from common household items and products, such as synthetic carpets (releases formaldehyde), petroleum products (release benzene), toys, chemical cleaners, paint, furniture with synthetic components and everything else that is synthetic.

These plants have demonstrated the potential for improving indoor air quality by removing trace organic pollutants from the air in energy-efficient buildings. This plant system is one of the most promising means of alleviating the sick building syndrome associated with many new, energy efficient buildings.” - NASA study: Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement

Best plants for Cleaning the Air

1. Red Edged Dracaena

   A popular house plant that needs little attention. Removes benzene, formaldehyde, xylene and toluene from the air.

2. Warneck Dracaena

   Removes benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene from the air.

3. Peace Lily

   This easy to take care of house plant removes benzene, formaldehyde, acetone, amonia and trichloroethylene from the air.

4. Areca Palm

5. Bamboo Palm

6. Rubber Plant

7. Lady Palm

8. English Ivy

9. Dwarf Date Palm

10. Ficus Alii

11. Boston Fern

Plants that produce the most Oxygen

1. Areca Palm

2. Mother-in-laws Tongue

   Converts CO2 into oxygen at night

3. Money Plant

   Removes formaldehyde and other VOC’s