24 Plants to Clear the Air
Indoor Air Quality (or IAQ) is a recent concern that has come to the attention of regulators and public health organizations. The assumption had always been outdoor pollution was the biggest health concern, but after a battery of studies it became clear that inside buildings the air quality was actually worse. There are many ways to improve the quality of the air in our homes and workplaces, but one of the most surprising found so far is the humble houseplant.
While the air inside might not be stained with soot and smog, it can still be contaminated with invisible dangers. Radon, Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs), mold, and other pollutants are all found in an indoor setting and their affects on human health have been severe. For example, Radon is carcinogenic and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking. Another consequence of indoor pollution has been asthma, which affects 25 million Americans with new cases appearing at a rising rate.
Where studies have shown houseplants to be effective is in reducing the amount of mold, airborne microbes, and compounds called Volatile Organic Chemicals (benzene, xylene , toluene, etc). VOCs are mostly commonly found in things like paint, glue, cleaning chemicals, building materials, and fuels. Several studies, including one conducted by NASA, concluded that while certain plants were present in a controlled space the levels of VOCs fell steadily. They also found that the amount of VOCs in the plant were up to 100 times less than the amount being absorbed, indicating that they were managing to metabolize the VOCs, further supporting their ability to clean the air.
While houseplants are probably no substitute for a dedicated HEPA filter, and provide no safeguard against dangers like Radon, they can serve perfectly when something like a filter is not practical or augment air cleaning already in place. What follows is a list of 24 plants that are effective air cleaners, including several 'super cleaners' which are especially effective at absorbing harmful materials.
Twenty-four houseplants that clean the indoor air well
- Aglaonema modestum, Chinese evergreen
Especially effective on benzene - Asparagus densiflorus, asparagus fern
This has been dubbed a "super-cleaner" removing toluene, octane, terpene, and trichloroethylene - Chamaedorea sefritzii, bamboo palm
Especially effective on formaldehyde - Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant
Especially effective on formaldehyde - Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, areca palm
Especially effective on xylene, toluene, and formaldehyde - Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig', Janet Craig dracaena
Especially effective on benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene - Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana', corn plant
Especially effective on formaldehyde - Dracaena marginata, dragon tree, red-edged dracaena
Especially effective on xylene, toluene, and formaldehyde - Epipiremnum pinnatum aurelum, golden pothos
Effective on formaldehyde - Ficus benjamina, weeping fig
Especially effective on formaldehyde, octane, and terpene - Ficus elastica, rubber tree
Especially effective on formaldehyde - Fittonia argyroneura, nerve plant
Effective on benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene - Hedera helix, English ivy
A "super-cleaner", also effective on benzene, and formaldehyde - Hemigraphis alternata, purple waffle plant, red flame ivy
Another "super-cleaner" - Homalomena wallisii, king of hearts
Especially effective on ammonia - Hoya carnosa, wax vine
A "super-cleaner" - Nephrolepis exaltata, Boston fern
Especially effective on formaldehyde, the best, in fact; also toluene - Philodendron selloum, tree philodendron, (also P. domesticum, common philo)
Especially effective on formaldehyde - Philodendron scandens oxycardium, heart-leaf philodendron
Especially effective on formaldehyde - Phoenix roebellini, pygmy date palm
Especially effective on formaldehyde, xylene, toluene - Rhaphis exaltata, lady palm
Especially effective on ammonia - Spathiphyllum 'Mauna Loa', giant peace lily
Especially effective on acetone, trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde - Syngonium podophyllum, arrowhead plant
Especially effective on formaldehyde - Tradescantia pallid, aka Setcreasea pallid, purple heart
One more "super-cleaner"
List compiled by David O. GrayH, 2011
Sources
Wolverton, B. C., et al. 'Foliage Plants for Removing Indoor Air-Pollutants...' Economic Botany 1984
Wolverton, B. C., Johnson, A., and Bounds, K., 'Interior Plants for Indoor Air-Pollution Abatement' Final report of NASA Office of Commercial Programs - Technology Utilization Division, and ALCA. 1989
Wolverton, B. C., 'How to Grow Fresh Air' Penguin Books 1996 (also as 'Eco-Friendly Houseplants' Weidenfeld & Nick.)
Yang, et al. 'Screening Indoor Plant for V. O. Pollutant Removal Efficiency' HortScience 44 2009
