The Indoor Garden: Plants That Clean the Air

Modern energy-efficient buildings trap indoor pollutants, leading to "sick building syndrome" with symptoms like headaches, fatigue, respiratory irritation, and allergies. The WHO warns indoor pollution may harm health more than outdoor pollution. Houseplants offer a natural, beautiful solution.

How Plants Purify Air

NASA research confirmed that many common foliage plants remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, ammonia, trichloroethylene, and acetone—chemicals off-gassed from furniture, carpets, paints, cleaners, electronics, and building materials.

Top Air-Purifying Plants

• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) – excels at removing alcohols, acetone, benzene, formaldehyde
• Snake Plant (Sansevieria) – removes chemical vapors
• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) – effective for indoor pollutants and chemical vapors
• Dracaena varieties – D. deremensis 'Janet Craig' (general toxins), 'Warneckii' (benzene), D. marginata (xylene), D. fragrans 'Massangeana' (formaldehyde)
• English Ivy (Hedera helix) – particularly effective for formaldehyde
• Florist's Mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) – best flowering plant for formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia
• Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis') – top fern for air pollutants
• Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) – removes chemical vapors
• Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) – excellent for formaldehyde
• Aloe Vera – removes chemical vapors
• Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) – removes chemical vapors

Maximizing Benefits

Place at least one medium-sized plant per 100 square feet. Keep foliage clean for optimal gas exchange. Combine plants with good ventilation and source control (low-VOC products) for healthiest indoor air.

As horticulturist Ken Beattie says, "The next plant you buy may save your life."