House Plants That Purify The Air In Your Home

There is an entire collection of air-purifying houseplants that are surprisingly easy to grow. Sound like a win-win? Then check out these plants.

In 1989, NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America conducted a study on houseplants as a natural way to produce and purify the air in space stations. According to their findings, plants that required low light demonstrated a surprising potential for improving indoor air quality because it helped remove the build-up of pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and ammonia. Below are our suggestions:

PEACE LILY (SPATHIPHYLLUM 'MAUNA LOA')
Perfect for homeowners who enjoy bouquets of flowers, but not the upkeep. This resilient tropical plant, recognizable for its pristine white blossoms, is pretty but incredibly powerful: It removes benzene (found in plastics and synthetic fibers), formaldehyde (in carpets and upholstery), trichloroethylene (in adhesives and paint removers), xylene, ammonia, and more.

SPIDER PLANT (CHLOROPHYTUM COMOSUM)
This "spider-like" plant gets its name for its long, droopy leaves. It eliminates formaldehyde as well as xylene and toluene, the latter of which are both found in many household products.

RED-EDGED DRACAENA (DRACAENA MARGINATA)
This plant grows slim, ribbonlike stalks with red edges and can grow quite tall. Another powerful purifier, it eliminates benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene.

FLORIST'S CHRYSANTHEMUM (CHRYSANTHEMUM MORIFOLIUM)
While technically not a houseplant, these bright, colorful blossoms do more than just look pretty: Mums help eliminate harmful pollutants like formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and ammonia.

ENGLISH IVY (HEDERA HELIX)
This popular evergreen is recognizable for its verdant, trailing vines. It particularly excels at eliminating formaldehyde, which lurks in furniture and cabinets.

Source: MarthaStewart.com