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After manufacturing millions of air filters and obsessing over indoor air quality for over a decade, we've learned something important: the best air isn't achieved through one solution—it's a layered approach. That's why we're genuinely excited to talk about something that might surprise you: those houseplants in your living room are actually working as natural air purifiers.
Here's what makes us passionate about this: NASA scientists discovered that common houseplants don't just decorate your space—they actively absorb indoor pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). While the effect is gentler than our MERV 13 filters, plants offer a beautiful, passive boost to your air quality strategy that works 24/7.
As air quality experts who test filtration methods daily in our facility, we've seen firsthand how combining mechanical filtration with natural purifiers creates the cleanest indoor air possible. This guide shares what we've learned about selecting and using plants to complement your HVAC system—empowering you to become the hero of your home's air quality.
While the effect is slower in real homes, living plants still supply a gentle, round‑the‑clock boost to indoor air quality, especially when they work alongside a high‑efficiency HVAC or portable air purifier.
These natural air purifiers also offer added perks like stress relief and improved humidity. If you're looking for the best indoor houseplants for air quality, this list is a great place to start.
You might wonder: why is a filter manufacturer writing about houseplants?
After producing over 10 million air filters and working with millions of families to improve their indoor air, we've become obsessed with one question: What creates the healthiest possible indoor environment? The answer isn't just mechanical filtration—it's a comprehensive approach.
Here's what we've learned from our customers:
• Families using both plants AND regular filter changes report 40% fewer complaints
about stuffy air (based on our customer survey of 5,000+ households)
• Customers with 3+ plants in main living areas reorder filters at optimal intervals,
suggesting better overall air quality awareness
• Plant owners are 2X more likely to ask us about MERV ratings and air quality
improvement strategies
This tells us that people who invest in plants are typically the "Prudent Protectors"— homeowners who take air quality seriously and want comprehensive solutions. This guide s for you.
The 3 most effective air-purifying plants for homes are:
1. SNAKE PLANT (Sansevieria)
• Removes: Formaldehyde, benzene, nitrogen oxides
• Best for: Beginners, bedrooms, low-light areas
• Pet-safe: No (toxic if ingested)
• Maintenance: Very low (water every 2-3 weeks)
2. SPIDER PLANT (Chlorophytum comosum)
• Removes: Formaldehyde, carbon monoxide
• Best for: Families with pets, hanging displays
• Pet-safe: Yes
• Maintenance: Low (water weekly)
3. PEACE LILY (Spathiphyllum)
• Removes: Ammonia, benzene, trichloroethylene
• Best for: Bathrooms, offices, medium light
• Pet-safe: No (toxic if ingested)
• Maintenance: Medium (keep soil moist)
Source: NASA Clean Air Study + Filterbuy air quality expert analysis
Leaves pull in carbon dioxide through tiny openings called stomata. Along with CO₂, those same pores admit trace gases such as formaldehyde. Soil microbes around the roots then break the gases down into harmless by‑products. While each plant acts like a slow bio‑filter, the process is continuous: as long as the leaves stay clean and the soil remains healthy, purification happens day and night.
This is why adding air purifying plants indoors can be a great addition to your HVAC setup for passive, ongoing support.
| Plant | Pollutants removed | Light need | Pet-safe? | Extra benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spider plant | Formaldehyde, carbon monoxide | Low–medium | ✓ | Easy to propagate “baby” plantlets. |
| Snake plant | Formaldehyde, benzene | Low | ✗ | Converts CO2 to O2 at night . |
| Peace lily | Ammonia, benzene | Medium | ✗ | Mild fragrance and elegant white blooms. |
| Pothos (Devil’s ivy) | Xylene, toluene | Low | ✗ | Fast-growing vine for low-light corners. |
| Rubber plant | Formaldehyde | Medium | ✗ | Broad leaves catch and hold household dust. |
| Boston fern | Formaldehyde | Bright indirect | ✗ | Adds gentle humidity to dry winter rooms. |
| English ivy | Mold spores (78% in 12h) | Medium | ✗ | Useful in damp basements prone to mildew. |
| Aloe vera | VOCs from cleaning agents | Bright direct | ✗ | Gel soothes minor burns and cuts . |
| Red-edged dracaena | Trichloroethylene | Medium | ✗ | Tall plant with burgundy-edged leaves. |
| Areca palm | Xylene, toluene | Medium | ✓ | Safe for pets; graceful fronds soften décor. |
Note: All pollutant‑removal data are drawn from NASA’s Clean‑Air Study and follow‑up peer‑review research. Pet‑safety information comes from the ASPCA Toxic & Non‑Toxic Plant database.
Looking for low-maintenance indoor plants for clean air? Start with a spider plant or snake plant. They’re hardy, forgiving, and proven performers.
🔬 FROM OUR AIR QUALITY LAB
"After testing many air filtration scenarios, we've found that customers who use both plants AND high-MERV filters report noticeably fresher-smelling air. Plants handle gases that filters can't, while filters capture particles plants miss. It's the perfect partnership."
— FilterBuy Air Quality Team
NASA placed dozens of plants in sealed chambers contaminated with common indoor toxins. Within 24 hours, several species removed a meaningful share of the pollutants. Snake plant and spider plant topped the list for overall VOC reduction, while peace lily absorbed ammonia and benzene particularly well. English ivy proved effective against airborne mold spores, slashing counts by more than three‑quarters in half a day.
If you want indoor plants to cleanse air in mold-prone areas like bathrooms or basements, English ivy may be your best bet.
Houseplants like aloe, snake plant, and Boston fern rank among the best indoor plants for health. Thanks to their ability to ease stress, boost oxygen, and support natural humidity.
A single houseplant cleans only the air that brushes past its leaves; one study estimated you’d need several hundred large plants to equal a true HEPA purifier. The practical strategy is to:
Looking to freshen up the bathroom? Pothos, snake plant, and English ivy are among the best plants for air purification in humid, low-light spaces. These varieties help reduce airborne mold and VOCs from cleaning products while thriving in the room’s natural conditions.
Most families don't realize what's constantly circulating through their indoor air.
After testing air quality in thousands of homes, we typically find a wide spectrum of invisible pollutants circulating in the air.
The good news? Specific plants target specific pollutants. Even better? When you combine plant purification with high-efficiency HVAC filtration, you're attacking both gases AND particles—giving your family the cleanest possible air.
Place two hardy, low-maintenance plants that clean the air, such as a spider plant and a snake plant, in your most-used room. Wipe their leaves monthly and keep your Filterbuy MERV 13 HVAC filter fresh. When you combine natural purification from plants with high-efficiency filtration, you remove gases, particles, and odors for cleaner, healthier air all day long.
After helping millions of families optimize their indoor air, we've learned which
plant combinations work best in different spaces:
Best plants: Snake Plant, Aloe Vera, Spider Plant
Why: These release oxygen at night and remove bedroom-specific pollutants
Filterbuy pairing: MERV 8-11 filter + 2 plants per room
Expected result: Fresher air, potentially better sleep quality
Best plants: Boston Fern, English Ivy, Peace Lily
Why: Thrive in humidity, combat mold spores and cleaning product VOCs
Filterbuy pairing: MERV 11-13 filter + moisture-loving plants
Expected result: 78% reduction in mold spores (English Ivy study)
Best plants: Rubber Plant, Areca Palm, Pothos
Why: Handle high-traffic pollutants, look beautiful, easy maintenance
Filterbuy pairing: MERV 11 filter changed every 60 days + 3-4 plants
Expected result: Noticeably cleaner-smelling air
Best plants: Spider Plant, Areca Palm, Boston Fern (ALL PET-SAFE)
Why: Non-toxic, gentle purification, safe for curious hands
Filterbuy pairing: MERV 13 filter + pet-safe plants only
Expected result: Maximum protection for most vulnerable family members
A: According to NASA's Clean-Air Study, the four most effective air-purifying houseplants
are:
1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) - Removes formaldehyde and carbon monoxide;
safe for pets
2. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) - Removes formaldehyde and benzene;
thrives in low light
3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) - Removes ammonia and benzene; produces elegant white flowers
4. Aloe Vera - Removes VOCs from cleaning agents; provides medicinal gel for burns
Each plant targets different indoor pollutants and requires different care levels. For best results, Filterbuy air quality experts recommend placing 2-3 of these plants in your most-used rooms while maintaining a MERV 11-13 HVAC filter for comprehensive air purification.
Source: NASA Clean Air Study (1989) + Filterbuy Air Quality Research
NASA’s Clean-Air Study found that Spider Plants, Snake Plants, Peace Lilies, and Aloe Vera are among the top air purifiers. Each one removes different indoor pollutants and contributes to better air quality in your home.
Philodendrons, Aglaonema, Aloe Vera, Dracaena, Spider Plants, and Peace Lilies are all effective plants that clean the air. They remove pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and VOCs from cleaning products.
English Ivy has been shown to eliminate up to 78% of airborne mold in 12 hours, making it ideal for allergy-prone areas like bathrooms or basements.
NASA recommends one to two medium plants per 100 square feet for meaningful VOC reduction. Larger rooms will require more greenery for noticeable results.
Orchids, Spider Plants, Peace Lilies, Chrysanthemums, and Snake Plants release small amounts of oxygen after dark—making them great choices for bedrooms.
The Snake Plant is one of the most effective air purifiers. It removes toxins like formaldehyde and nitrogen oxides and is low-maintenance—perfect for beginners.
Yes. Air filtering plants absorb gases through their leaves and improve indoor air quality over time. However, they work best alongside mechanical filtration like MERV 13 filters or HEPA purifiers.
Snake Plants, Spider Plants, and Peace Lilies are considered some of the best indoor plants for natural air purification. They target common indoor toxins and thrive in low- to medium-light conditions.
Absolutely. Many of the best indoor plants for health—like snake plant, aloe vera, and peace lily—release oxygen at night and can help promote restful sleep.
Both serve different roles. Plants slowly absorb gases and provide health benefits. Air purifiers quickly remove dust, mold spores, and allergens. For best results, use them together.
Unlike purifiers that work in minutes, air purifying plants improve air quality gradually over hours or days. Keeping leaves clean boosts their effectiveness.
Watering depends on the species. Snake Plants and Spider Plants are drought-tolerant and prefer dry soil. Ferns and Peace Lilies need more frequent watering.
NASA highlighted the Peace Lily for its strong performance in removing benzene and ammonia while tolerating low-light conditions.
Slightly. Plants absorb CO₂ during photosynthesis, but for significant reduction, proper ventilation is still more effective.
Many air-cleaning plants offer stress relief, boost humidity, and improve oxygen levels, making them some of the best indoor plants for health.
No. Many high-performing varieties like Peace Lily, Pothos, and English Ivy are toxic if ingested. Always check pet safety using the ASPCA’s plant database.
This article is:
✓ Backed by NASA Research
✓ Verified by Filterbuy Air Quality Experts
✓ Updated October 2025
✓ Reviewed by Certified HVAC Professionals
📚 MORE FROM FILTERBUY'S AIR QUALITY LEARNING CENTER:
• How MERV Ratings Actually Work (And Which You Need)
• The Complete Guide to Indoor Air Quality
• 7 Hidden Sources of Indoor Air Pollution
• How Often Should You Really Change Your Air Filter?
