5 Best Air-Purifying Houseplants to Breathe Cleaner, Fresher Air at Home

Think your home’s air is clean? Think again! Everyday pollutants from furniture, cleaning products, and even cooking can linger in the air you breathe. But here’s some good news: nature offers an easy, beautiful solution.

Certain houseplants are not only gorgeous décor—they’re natural air purifiers, helping remove toxins and improve indoor air quality. Here are five of the best air-purifying houseplants you can add to your home today.

1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Why It’s Great:
Pothos is one of the easiest plants to grow, making it perfect for beginners. Its trailing vines look beautiful in hanging baskets or on shelves. NASA’s Clean Air Study found pothos effective at filtering toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the air.

How to Care:

• Thrives in low to bright indirect light.

• Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

• Tolerates occasional neglect—ideal for busy plant parents.

2. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Why It’s Great:
The Boston Fern’s lush, arching fronds are a classic choice for adding a fresh, tropical vibe indoors. It’s excellent at removing pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene.

How to Care:

• Prefers high humidity and indirect light.

• Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.

• Mist regularly or place near a humidifier for best growth.

3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Why It’s Great:
With its elegant white blooms and glossy leaves, the Peace Lily is a stylish addition to any room. It’s famous for absorbing toxins like ammonia, formaldehyde, and benzene.

How to Care:

• Loves medium to low indirect light.

• Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

• Bonus: Peace Lilies can signal thirst by drooping slightly, then perk back up after watering.

Note: Peace Lily can be toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of cats and dogs.

4. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Why It’s Great:
Spider Plants are practically indestructible and super easy to propagate, sending out adorable “baby” spiderettes. They help remove formaldehyde and xylene from the air.

How to Care:

• Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light.

• Water when the soil starts to dry out.

• Great for hanging baskets or high shelves.

5. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

Why It’s Great:
The Snake Plant, also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, is one of the hardiest houseplants around. It not only filters out toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene it also releases oxygen at night, making it perfect for bedrooms.

How to Care:

• Tolerates low light but thrives in bright, indirect sun.

• Let soil dry out completely between waterings.

• Almost impossible to kill—great for beginners!