Best Air-Filtering Plants to Help Filter Out Harmful Toxins in Your Home

Is the air quality in your home stale and musty smelling? NASA – that’s right, astronauts – have found a great way for you to naturally filter the air in your home: house plants!

Recently, NASA researched ways to clean the air at their space stations high above the Earth. Based on their Clean Air Study, these plants show they can remove many different toxic chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and ammonia.

Usually, these chemicals are found in household items such as paint removers and adhesives. They have been linked to health effects such as headaches and eye irritation and even kidney damage.

If you are worried about the air quality at your office or at home, check out these 18 plants that can help clear the air.

Be aware that some of these plants can also be toxic to your cats and dogs so check the toxicity of the plants before buying.

Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix Robelenii)

Eliminates formaldehyde and xylene.

Formaldehyde is usually found in paper towels and paper bags. The toxin can cause irritation to the nose, mouth and throat, and the swelling of the larynx and lungs.

Xylene can be found in paints and leather and can cause liver and kidney problems.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis Exaltata)

Eliminates formaldehyde and xylene.

Kimberly Queen Firm (Nephrolepis Obiliterata)

Eliminates formaldehyde and xylene.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)

Eliminates formaldehyde and xylene.

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema Modestum)

Eliminates formaldehyde and benzene.

Benzene is used to make paper bags and detergents. This toxic substance can cause dizziness, drowsiness, increase in heart rate, and unconsciousness.

Bamboo Palm (Chamadorea Seifrizii)

Eliminates formaldehyde and xylene.

Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)

Eliminates formaldehyde and xylene.

Devils Ivy (Epipremnum Aureum)

Eliminates formaldehyde, benzene and xylene.

Flamingo Lily (Anthurium Andraenum)

Eliminates formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia.

Ammonia can be found in common household cleaning products, such as Windex and wax. The air pollutant can cause eye irritation and coughing.

Lilyturf (Liriope Spicata)

Eliminates formaldehyde, xylene and ammonia.

Broadleaf Lady Palm (Rhapis Excelsa)

Eliminates formaldehyde, xylene and ammonia.

Barberton Daisy (Gerbera Jamesonii)

Eliminates trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and xylene.

Trichloroethylene is used in printing inks, paint removers and adhesives. The toxin can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting.

Cornstalk Dracaena (Draceaena Fragrans)

Eliminates trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and xylene.

English Ivy (Hedera Helix)

Eliminates trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, xylene and benzene.

Variegated Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata)

Eliminates trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene and xylene.

Red-Edged Dracaena (Dracaena Marinata)

Eliminates trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene and xylene.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Eliminates trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, ammonia.

Florist’s Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum Morifolium)

Eliminates trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and ammonia.