Air Purifying Plants: The Best Indoor Plants for Cleaner Air
If you've ever searched for "air purifying plants" you've probably seen bold claims that houseplants can clean the air, remove toxins and make your home healthier.
But is it actually true?
The short answer is yes—plants do help improve indoor air quality. However, they're not quite the fast, miracle air filters that some articles make them out to be.
What plants do exceptionally well is create a healthier, more enjoyable indoor environment. They can absorb certain airborne pollutants (VOC's), increase humidity, support wellbeing and, let's be honest, make a room look infinitely better.
So if you're wondering which plants are the best air purifiers, what pollutants they remove and whether they can help with mould, here's what the science says.
Do Air Purifying Plants Really Work?
Yes, but with a few caveats.
The idea of air purifying plants became popular after NASA conducted research into how plants could help clean the air inside space stations. Scientists found that certain indoor plants could remove airborne pollutants including:
- Formaldehyde
- Benzene
- Xylene
- Toluene
- Trichloroethylene
These chemicals, known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), can be released from everyday items such as:
- Furniture
- Paints
- Flooring
- Cleaning products
- Adhesives
- Air fresheners
- Building materials
If you're interested in the NASA Study - you can view their 1989 report HERE
Plants absorb small amounts of these compounds through their leaves and roots, while beneficial microbes living in the potting mix help break them down.
More recent studies suggest that while plants do remove pollutants, the effect is relatively small compared to opening a window or using an air purifier. However, that's only part of the story.
Plants also:
- Increase humidity levels
- Reduce stress
- Improve mood and wellbeing
- Create a stronger connection to nature
- Make indoor spaces more enjoyable to spend time in
In our opinion, that's reason enough to fill your home with them.
What Are the Best Air Purifying Plants?
If you're looking for indoor plants that can help improve your environment while being easy to grow, these are some of our favourites.
1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The Spider Plant is one of the easiest indoor plants you'll ever own and consistently appears on lists of the best air purifying plants.
It may help remove:
- Formaldehyde
- Benzene
- Xylene
- Carbon monoxide
Why we love it:
✔ Perfect for beginners
✔ Pet-friendly
✔ Produces baby plants you can propagate
✔ Looks fantastic in hanging baskets
Spider Plants are tough, forgiving and happy in most bright indoor positions.
2. Peace Lily
If there was an award for the most famous air purifying plant, the Peace Lily would probably win.
Studies suggest it may help remove:
- Benzene
- Formaldehyde
- Xylene
- Trichloroethylene
Why we love it:
✔ Beautiful white flowers
✔ Thrives indoors
✔ Great for bathrooms and living areas
✔ Helps create a lush tropical feel
3. Snake Plant
The Snake Plant is practically indestructible, making it ideal for busy plant parents.
It may help remove:
- Formaldehyde
- Benzene
- Xylene
Why we love it:
✔ Very low maintenance
✔ Tolerates neglect
✔ Great for bedrooms and offices
✔ Handles lower light conditions
4. Boston Fern
Ferns have been associated with cleaner indoor air for decades and Boston Ferns remain one of the most popular choices.
They may help remove:
- Formaldehyde
- Xylene
- Toluene
Why we love them:
✔ Beautiful soft foliage
✔ Adds humidity to dry rooms
✔ Excellent bathroom plant
✔ Creates an instant indoor jungle vibe
5. Bird's Nest Fern
A favourite in Australian homes, Bird's Nest Ferns are both beautiful and surprisingly easy to grow.
Why we love them:
✔ Broad tropical foliage
✔ Thrives in humidity
✔ Ideal for bathrooms
✔ Perfect for adding texture indoors
6. Golden Pothos
Looking for a plant that's almost impossible to kill? Meet Golden Pothos.
It may help remove:
- Formaldehyde
- Benzene
- Xylene
Why we love it:
✔ Fast growing
✔ Great for shelves and hanging pots
✔ Tolerates lower light
✔ Perfect beginner plant
7. Dracaena
Dracaenas are excellent foliage plants that bring height and structure to indoor spaces.
They may help remove:
- Formaldehyde
- Benzene
- Xylene
- Trichloroethylene
Why we love them:
✔ Architectural growth habit
✔ Available in many varieties
✔ Great statement plants
Can Plants Remove Mould?
This is one of the questions we get asked most often.
The honest answer is: not really.
Plants are not a solution for mould problems.
While plants can influence humidity levels and may trap some airborne particles on their leaves, there is little evidence that houseplants can significantly reduce mould spores in a home.
If you're dealing with mould, the best solutions are:
- Improving ventilation
- Fixing leaks
- Reducing excess moisture
- Using exhaust fans
- Running a dehumidifier if required
- Engage a professional to address mould issues
That said, humidity-loving plants like Ferns, Peace Lilies and Pothos can thrive in bathrooms and other damp areas where many houseplants struggle.
Where Should You Place Air Purifying Plants?
In the Living Room
Living rooms often contain the highest concentration of furniture and household products that release VOCs.
Great choices include:
- Peace Lily
- Pothos
- Dracaena
- Bamboo Palm
In the Bedroom
Plants can help create a calm and relaxing environment.
Try:
- Snake Plant
- Spider Plant
- Peace Lily
In the Bathroom
Bathrooms provide the humidity many tropical plants love.
Perfect choices include:
- Boston Fern
- Bird's Nest Fern
- Peace Lily
- Pothos
In the Home Office
A few well-placed plants can make your workspace feel more inviting.
Try:
- Spider Plant
- Snake Plant
- Pothos
- Aglaonema
How Many Air Purifying Plants Do You Need?
If your goal is cleaner air, more plants generally provide more benefit.
Rather than relying on a single plant, aim to spread a variety of species throughout your home.
A collection of healthy plants will always have a greater impact than one lonely Peace Lily sitting in the corner.
Plus, you get to enjoy all that beautiful greenery.
The Bottom Line
Air purifying plants won't replace fresh air, good ventilation or a quality air purifier.
But they can help remove small amounts of airborne pollutants, increase humidity, improve wellbeing and make your home feel more connected to nature.
Whether you choose a Spider Plant, Peace Lily, Fern, Snake Plant or Pothos, you're doing more than decorating your home—you're creating a healthier, greener space to enjoy every day.
And that's something we can definitely get behind.