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Keeping the air in your home clean is extremely important and can be hard to do considering the amount of pollution in the air and the materials used to make common household items. But no need to worry, there are things you can do to improve the quality of air in your home. Many opt for manufactured air purifiers and these can be very effective. But did you know that nature has its own fantastic air purifiers? Yes, bringing plants into the home can make a big difference in indoor air quality. Some plants have a better ability in this respect than others so if air quality is your main motivation here are a few of the top air-purifying plants.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

• Benefits: Filters out three common VOCs: formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. (common furniture wax, polish, paint, and ink.
• Needs: Low to bright indirect light. Avoid direct sun. Be careful not to overwater. Water only when soil is dry and just enough to dampen it. Needs well-draining soil.
• Caution: Poisonous to pets

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) (Also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue)

• Benefits: Very hardy. Releases oxygen at night so consider putting one in the bedroom to promote healthy sleep. Filters formaldehyde from the air.
• Needs: Low to bright indirect light. No Full sun. Drought resistant. Soil should be moist but not wet. Needs well-draining soil.
• Caution: Mildly toxic.

Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

• Benefits: Easy to keep alive.
• Needs: Water only once top 2-3 inches of soil is no longer moist. Medium-bright indirect light.
• Caution: Toxic to pets.

Janet Craig (Dracaena fragrans)

• Benefits: Easy to grow. Filters out trichloroethylene.
• Needs: Semi-sun to semi-shade. Can adapt to minimal light levels. Moist but not wet soil.
• Caution: Slightly poisonous to pets

Warneckii (Dracaena warneckii) (Commonly labeled Striped Dracaena)

• Benefits: Filters out trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde from the environment.
• Needs: Indirect medium-bright light. Avoid overwatering and avoid fluoride in water. Only water when the top 1 inch of soil is dry.
• Caution: Mildly toxic.

Marginata (Dracaena marginate) (Also known as Dragon Tree)

• Benefits: Filters out trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde from the environment.
• Needs: Bright indirect light is preferable but can handle partial shade. Drought-tolerant. Easy care. Prefers well-draining soil.
• Caution: Harmless to humans but toxic to pets.

Important Things to Consider