Air Purifiers Part 2: Essential Indoor Plants (D–G)

Air Purifiers: Essential Indoor Plants 

Clean air – The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) carried out a landmark study into Clean Air filtering plants and found that certain plants are capable of filtering common household pollutants such as:

• Benzene (found in varnishes, detergents, rubber, paints, and gasoline)

• Trichloroethylene (found in printing inks, varnishes, adhesives, and lacquer)

• Formaldehyde (found in tobacco smoke, gas stoves, carpet backing, and paper products)

• Ammonia (found in cleaning products)

• Toluene (found in stain removers, paints, and nail polish)

• Carbon monoxide (found in fumes from vehicles, fireplaces, and stoves)

• Styrene (found in carpet backing, fiberglass, and insulation)

Here is the link if you want to read more about this: [Link to NASA study: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19930073077]

Remember, no plant is naturally a house plant, but we absolutely enjoy bringing nature's beauty indoors.   Let’s appreciate how some of these chosen beauties can really improve our indoor environment.

Dieffenbachia - Dumb Canes

The Dieffenbachia has lovely oval leaves with attractive markings and deep green edges.   They are lush, showy, and ideal for creating a fantastic tropical look indoors.

Air Purifying Power: These leaves are known to remove toxins from the air.

Care Advice: Dieffenbachias like regular water; they do not like to dry out.  Just make sure you don't overwater them.

Dracaena (often still called Sansevieria) – Snake Plants – Mother-in-laws-tongue

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This low-maintenance gem is perfect for anyone new to growing indoor plants who is also interested in seriously boosting their indoor air quality.   If you want dramatic plants that can be left for ages between waterings, Snake Plants absolutely fit the bill!

They come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, and foliage patterns.

Air Purifying Power: Snake plants are unique for their nighttime oxygen production, and ability to filter toxins, including:

• Benzene

• Formaldehyde

• Trichloroethylene

• Xylene

• Toluene

Bonus! In addition to purifying the air, a Dracaena will also supposedly improve attention span and boost memory, making it perfect for your home office.

Care Advice: These can be grown in a vast range of lighting situations.   Take great care with watering; with these plants, less is definitely best.   Since some varieties are low growers and others can grow to be very tall, consider the space you want them to fill.

Best Placement: The Bedroom. 

Epipremnum - Pothos – Devil’s Ivy, Golden Pothos

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These have large, waxy leaves and are one of the easiest plants to keep alive—perfect for keeping the air in your home clean!   This leafy vined plant is an excellent choice as it grows well in most light conditions.

Air Purifying Power: This plant has been featured by NASA for its high purification rate and ability to remove the following pollutants:

• Benzene

• Formaldehyde

• Trichloroethylene

• Xylene

• Toluene

Important Note: Despite this benefit, this plant is toxic to cats, dogs, and small children if its leaves are ingested.   No need to banish it though, sensible precaution is all that's required.

Care Advice: While the Pothos will thrive anywhere, they prefer the brighter spots in the home.   They also love moisture, so may do well as bathroom plants.   Water weekly or whenever the soil feels dry.

Best Placement: Any room, but keep out of reach of pets or small children. 

Ferns – including Boston, Maidenhair, or Queen Fern

I grow my ferns outside on my West-facing, shade-sail-covered deck.   They get sufficient water from the rain dripping onto them, so I never have to water them!   However, I know lots of people prefer to grow them indoors.  

Bright green foliage with gently swaying leaves is what makes ferns so popular.

Air Purifying Power: Ferns filter toxins, including:

• Xylene

• Formaldehyde

• Toluene

• Benzene

Care Advice: Ferns generally prefer indirect or very little light at all.   They like to be well-watered and never allowed to dry out completely.   Mealy bug and scale are common pests with ferns, especially down in the new growth areas, so keep an eye out!

Purchase here

Ficus - Numerous varieties again, including Rubber Plants, Weeping Fig

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 These have been popular houseplants since Victorian times, and it's easy to see why due to their striking looks!   Ficus plants are known to be hardy and low-maintenance.

Air Purifying Power: A Rubber Plant's large leaves can absorb airborne chemicals and break them down, rendering them harmless.  They also absorb exhaled carbon dioxide and convert it to breathable oxygen.   Ficus can help to tackle levels of:

• Formaldehyde

• Trichloroethylene

• Benzene

• Xylene

• Toluene

Bonus! A previous study by NASA recommends Ficus as one of the best for cleansing the air and acting as a natural humidifier.

Important Note: It's worth knowing that the Ficus genus is toxic to dogs and cats, so be extra careful if you have one close to your pets.

Care Advice: Generally easy to care for.   Some varieties do require bright indirect light, while others are happy with even lower levels of light.   They do not like drafts.

Gerbera

This is another plant that is often sold as an indoor plant, but I grow mine outside.

This flowering plant produces one of the prettiest flowers, and it is also a powerful air purifier.

Air Purifying Power: Gerbera is distinct in its ability to produce high levels of oxygen at night while removing harmful chemicals, such as:

• Benzene

• Formaldehyde

• Trichloroethylene

Best Placement: Keep this one on the nightstand for better sleep, as it's beneficial for those suffering from sleep apnea and breathing disorders.

Care Advice: Gerbera requires bright sunlight during the summer, spring, and fall, then indirect light during the winter. It needs to be watered often.

Last selection coming soon.

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