Give your interiors a natural upgrade! Explore our list of easy-to-care-for houseplants that can reduce indoor air pollution and create a healthier home.
Did you know that the air inside your home can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air? It sounds shocking, right? But it’s true! Indoor air pollution is a silent problem that affects millions of homes worldwide.
Every day, we spend most of our time indoors. We cook, clean, and use products that release harmful chemicals into the air. Things like furniture, paint, cleaning supplies, and even air fresheners can make the air in our homes unhealthy to breathe.
The good news? Nature has a simple solution. Certain indoor plants that reduce air pollution work like natural air filters. They absorb toxic gases and release fresh oxygen. Plus, they make your home look beautiful!
In this guide, you’ll discover 10 amazing houseplants that fight indoor air pollution. Each plant comes with practical tips on where to place it and what harmful chemicals it removes. Let’s turn your home into a healthier, greener space!
Here’s what we cover in this article.
- Why Do We Need Indoor Air Pollution Plants?
- Quick Comparison: Best Indoor Air Pollution Plants at a Glance
- 10 Best Indoor Air Pollution Control Plants
- Practical Tips for Using Plants for Indoor Air Pollution
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion and Next Steps
Why Do We Need Indoor Air Pollution Plants?
Before we dive into the plant list, let’s understand the problem better.
Common sources of indoor air pollution include:
- Paints and varnishes
- Cleaning products
- Carpets and rugs
- Furniture made with pressed wood
- Gas stoves
- Air fresheners
- Smoking
- Overall rising pollution levels
These items release chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide. Over time, breathing these toxins can cause headaches, allergies, and even serious health problems.
Indoor plants for air pollution help by:
- Absorbing harmful gases through their leaves
- Breaking down toxins in their roots
- Releasing clean oxygen
- Adding moisture to dry indoor air
Now, let’s meet the 10 plant heroes that can protect your home!
Quick Comparison: Best Indoor Air Pollution Plants at a Glance
Not sure which plant to start with? This handy table shows you the key features of each plant so you can make the right choice for your home.
Plant Name |
Toxins Removed |
Light Needs |
Water Needs |
Care Difficulty |
Best Room |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Snake Plant |
Formaldehyde, Benzene, Trichloroethylene |
Low to Bright |
Very Low |
Very Easy |
Bedroom |
Spider Plant |
Carbon Monoxide, Formaldehyde |
Bright Indirect |
Moderate |
Easy |
Kitchen |
Peace Lily |
Ammonia, Benzene, Formaldehyde |
Low to Medium |
Moderate |
Easy |
Bathroom |
Aloe Vera |
Formaldehyde, Benzene |
Bright Direct |
Very Low |
Easy |
Kitchen |
Boston Fern |
Formaldehyde |
Indirect |
High |
Moderate |
Living Room |
Rubber Plant |
Formaldehyde |
Bright Indirect |
Moderate |
Easy |
Living Room |
Areca Palm |
Benzene, Formaldehyde, Trichloroethylene |
Bright Indirect |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Living Room |
English Ivy |
Formaldehyde, Benzene, Mold |
Indirect |
Moderate |
Easy |
Bathroom |
Bamboo Palm |
Formaldehyde, Benzene, Trichloroethylene |
Bright Indirect |
Moderate |
Easy |
Home Office |
Chrysanthemum |
Formaldehyde, Benzene, Ammonia |
Bright direct |
Low |
Very Easy |
Kitchen, Laundry Room |
10 Best Indoor Air Pollution Control Plants
Ready to meet your new green companions? Each of these plants brings something special to your home. Some are easy for beginners, while others come up with beautiful flowers. All of them work hard to clean your air naturally.
Let’s explore each plant in detail. You’ll learn what toxins they remove, where to place them, and how to keep them healthy.
1. Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue)
What It Does: The snake plant removes formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air. It also releases oxygen at night, making it perfect for bedrooms.
Where to Place It:
- Bedrooms (helps you sleep better)
- Living rooms with new furniture
- Home offices
Care Tips: Snake plants are super easy to care for. They need very little water and can survive in low light, making them perfect for beginners! Just remember to water them only when the soil is completely dry.
Real-Life Example: Place a snake plant next to your computer desk. It will help clean the air from printer chemicals and make your workspace healthier.
2. Spider Plant
What It Does: Spider plants are excellent at removing carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. NASA research shows they can remove up to 90% of toxins from the air in just two days!
Where to Place It:
- Kitchens (removes cooking fumes)
- Bathrooms (loves humidity)
- Hanging baskets in any room
Care Tips: Spider plants love bright, indirect light. Water them regularly, but don’t overwater. They grow baby plants (called spiderettes) that you can replant to grow more plants for free!
Real-Life Example: Hang a spider plant in your kitchen near the stove. It will filter out carbon monoxide from gas burners and add a cheerful green touch to your cooking space.
3. Peace Lily
What It Does: Peace lilies remove ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. They’re one of the few indoor plants that reduce air pollution while producing beautiful white flowers.
Where to Place It:
- Bathrooms (removes mold spores)
- Laundry rooms (filters detergent fumes)
- Shaded corners
Care Tips: Peace lilies prefer shade and moist soil. Water them once a week and mist the leaves occasionally. They’ll droop when thirsty, making it easy to know when they need water.
Real-Life Example: Put a peace lily in your bathroom. It loves the humidity from showers and will help remove harmful chemicals from cleaning products and hair sprays.
4. Aloe Vera
What It Does: Aloe vera fights formaldehyde and benzene. Plus, the gel inside its leaves can treat burns and skin problems. It’s like having a natural first-aid kit at home!
Where to Place It:
- Kitchen windowsills (handy for cooking burns)
- Sunny bedrooms
- Near windows with bright light
Care Tips: Aloe vera needs lots of sunlight and very little water. Let the soil dry completely between waterings. Too much water will kill it faster than too little!
Real-Life Example: Keep aloe vera on your kitchen counter. If you burn yourself while cooking, just break off a leaf and apply the cool gel directly to the burn. Meanwhile, it’s cleaning the air from your gas stove.
5. Boston Fern
What It Does: Boston ferns are true humidity heroes. They are among the best plants at removing formaldehyde, better than almost any other. Plus, they act as natural humidifiers, adding moisture to dry indoor air. This makes them perfect for homes with heating systems that tend to dry things out.
Where to Place It:
- Bathrooms
- Living rooms with fireplaces
- Rooms with air conditioning
Care Tips: Boston ferns love humidity and indirect light. Keep the soil moist (but not soggy) and mist the leaves daily. They can be a bit fussy, but the results are worth it!
Real-Life Example: Place a Boston fern in your living room during winter. It will add moisture to the air dried out by heaters and make breathing more comfortable.
6. Rubber Plant
What It Does: Rubber plants are excellent at removing formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and trichloroethylene. Their large, glossy leaves capture lots of toxins.
Where to Place It:
- Living rooms with new furniture
- Home offices
- Entryways
Care Tips: Rubber plants like bright, indirect light and moderate watering. Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth monthly to keep them dust-free.
Real-Life Example: Position a rubber plant near your new sofa or bookshelf. New furniture releases formaldehyde, and a rubber plant can help neutralize it.
7. Areca Palm
What It Does: The areca palm removes xylene and toluene (found in nail polish, paint thinners, and adhesives). More importantly, it releases moisture into dry air, equal to nearly 1 liter of water per day!
Where to Place It:
- Living rooms (creates a tropical vibe)
- Corners that need brightening
- Near windows with filtered sunlight
Care Tips: Areca palms need bright, indirect light and regular watering. Keep the soil slightly moist and feed them with liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Real-Life Example: Create a relaxing reading corner with an areca palm. It will humidify the dry air created by electronic devices while removing toxins from plastic components.
8. English Ivy
What It Does: English ivy is amazing at filtering airborne mold and fecal particles (yes, really!). It also removes formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
Where to Place It:
- Bathrooms (fights mold)
- Near pet areas
- Hanging baskets
Care Tips: English ivy likes cool temperatures and moist soil. It grows well in indirect light. Trim it regularly to keep it bushy and full.
Real-Life Example: Hang English ivy in your bathroom. Studies show it can reduce airborne mold by up to 78% in just 12 hours!
9. Bamboo Palm
What It Does: Bamboo palms filter formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. They’re also pet-friendly, making them safe for homes with cats and dogs.
Where to Place It:
- Living rooms
- Home offices
- Near furniture, off-gassing chemicals
Care Tips: Bamboo palms prefer bright, indirect light and consistent moisture. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. They can grow quite tall, so give them space!
Real-Life Example: Place a bamboo palm in your home office. It will clean the air from printer emissions and create a calm, productive atmosphere.
10. Chrysanthemum (Potted Mums)
What It Does: Chrysanthemums remove ammonia (from cleaning products, glass cleaners, and fertilizers), plus benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene. They also produce beautiful flowers!
Where to Place It:
- Near cleaning supply storage
- Laundry rooms
- Kitchens where cleaning happens
Care Tips: Needs bright, direct sunlight and moist soil. Replace yearly as they’re often treated as annuals indoors.
Real-Life Example: Keep blooming mums in your laundry room to filter ammonia from detergents while adding cheerful color.
Practical Tips for Using Plants for Indoor Air Pollution
Now that you know which plants to choose, here are some tips to maximize their air-cleaning power:
How Many Plants Do You Need? NASA recommends at least one plant per 100 square feet of space. For a typical bedroom (about 120 square feet), two to three plants work well.
Mix Different Plants: Different indoor air pollution control plants remove different toxins. Use a variety to cover all the harmful chemicals in your home.
Placement Matters: Put plants where you spend the most time. Bedrooms, living rooms, and home offices benefit most from air-purifying plants.
Keep Them Healthy: Sick plants can’t clean the air effectively. Give them proper light, water, and occasional feeding. Healthy plants are happy workers!
Start Small: If you’re new to plants, start with easy ones like snake plants or bamboo palm. As you gain confidence, add more varieties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How long does it take for indoor plants to clean the air?
Answer: Plants start working immediately, with noticeable improvements within 24-48 hours. For Indian cities with high pollution, like Delhi and Mumbai, use multiple plants per room. Studies show plants can remove up to 87% of toxins within one day.
Q2: Are air-purifying plants safe for homes with pets and children?
Answer: Yes, but choose carefully. Safe options include spider plants, bamboo palms, and areca palms. Avoid peace lilies, English ivy, and aloe vera around pets or small children. Place toxic plants on high shelves out of reach.
Q3: Can indoor plants help with Delhi’s smog and pollution?
Answer: Indoor plants improve air quality but cannot completely counteract outdoor pollution like Delhi’s smog. Using air purifiers along with plants and proper ventilation works best for managing indoor pollution in Indian cities.
Q4: Which plants work best in the Indian climate?
Answer: Snake plants, aloe vera, and peace lilies handle Delhi’s extreme weather: 45°C summers and 5°C winters. Money plant, spider plant, and chrysanthemum thrive in 15-30°C and adapt well to Indian homes. All are low-maintenance.
Q5: What’s the best plant for an Indian bedroom?
Answer: Snake plant is ideal, it releases oxygen at night and removes toxins. It needs watering only once a week and thrives in low light, perfect for Indian bedrooms with limited sunlight.
Conclusion
Indoor air pollution is a real problem, but it has a beautiful, natural solution. By adding these 10 houseplants to your home, you’re not just decorating, you’re creating a healthier living space for you and your family.
Remember, you don’t need to add all 10 plants at once. Start with two or three that fit your space and lifestyle. As you see how easy and rewarding plant care can be, you’ll naturally want to add more!
These indoor plants that reduce air pollution work silently every day, cleaning your air and making your home more beautiful. They’re natural, affordable, and proven by science to work.
So what are you waiting for? Visit your local plant nursery this weekend and bring home your first air-purifying plant. Your lungs (and your home) will thank you!
Next Steps
If you’d like to learn more about other interior design styles and related topics, head back over to the AND Academy blog for more articles like this one. As a starting point, you can refer to the following resources:
- Modular Kitchen Interior Design: Layouts, Styles & Ideas To Inspire You in 2025
- Interior Design For Small Living Rooms: Complete Guide (With 25 Ideas)
- 33 Luxury Interior Design Tips to Revamp Your Home in 2025
In case you need further assistance, here are some resources to consider:
- Watch this session by Snehanshu Mukherjee, Founding Partner at T.E.A.M and Mansi Almadi, an Interior Designer at Studio Lotus
- Talk to a course advisor to discuss how you can transform your career with one of our courses.
- Check out our Interior Design courses – all courses are taught through live, interactive classes by industry experts.
- Take advantage of our scholarship and funding options to overcome any financial hurdle on the path of your career transformation.
Note: All information and/or data from external sources is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication.
