Our homes and offices, which should be sanctuaries of clean air, are often filled with pollutants and toxins that have detrimental effects on our health. While air purifiers help, a natural and aesthetically pleasing alternative is to introduce air-purifying plants into our living spaces. 

These green superheroes add beauty and serenity while they filter and cleanse the air we breathe. Research shows houseplants can remove up to 87 percent of airborne toxins within 24 hours, improve concentration and productivity by 15 percent, reduce stress levels, and boost mood naturally. Here’s, we discuss about what flowers and plants are good for air purification.

Top 12 Plants To Help Purify Air

Here’s a list of 12 plants that are perfect to help purify the air.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

The Snake Plant, also known as Mother-In-Law’s Tongue, is a yellow-tipped succulent that’s perfect for beginners without a green thumb. This striking plant with tall, upright leaves and distinctive patterns makes an eye-catching addition to any room. 

Renowned for its robustness and ability to thrive in almost any environment, it’s an excellent air purifier, removing toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, trichloroethylene, and benzene from the air. NASA listed this low-maintenance plant as one of the most effective houseplants for filtering toxins while releasing oxygen at night, making it an excellent choice for bedrooms.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace Lilies offer easy care with big benefits, requiring little light or water to remain healthy. These beautiful indoor plants feature elegant white blooms that are highly effective at cleansing the air. They remove common household toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and ammonia while helping reduce the levels of mold spores that grow in the home. 

The plant absorbs these spores through its leaves and circulates them to the plant’s roots where they’re used as food. Peace lilies prefer low to medium light conditions, making them suitable for areas with limited sunlight, though they’re toxic to pets if ingested.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider Plants, also known as air plants, are incredibly forgiving and tolerate a range of conditions, making them great for beginners with little attention needed. When thriving, these hardy plants send out shoots of baby spider plants called spiderettes. 

This arachnid-shaped shrub is excellent at removing pollutants like carbon monoxide, xylene, and formaldehyde from the air, promoting a healthier environment. Their arching green leaves can occasionally grow small white flowers when nurtured well, adding an aesthetically pleasing touch of greenery without demanding a lot of care. They’re non-toxic to pets and easy to grow.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis/Aloe barbadensis miller)

Known for its soothing gel with medicinal properties, Aloe vera is also an excellent air purifier. Originating from hot and arid regions, this succulent plant stores water in its leaves, enabling it to thrive with minimal watering – a characteristic that makes it an ideal low-maintenance plant for beginners. 

It effectively eliminates formaldehyde, benzene, and other chemicals commonly found in cleaning products. The spiky leaves add a unique texture to any space, making it a stylish addition to your home or office. Place it in a bright location with indirect light for optimal growth, avoiding overwatering as excessive moisture can harm the plant.

Pothos/Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)

Devil’s Ivy or Pothos is a versatile and low-maintenance plant that can thrive even in dimly lit office corners and grow up to 8 feet long. With heart-shaped leaves cascading down from hanging baskets or climbing up trellises, it’s a natural air purifier, eliminating toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene. 

This highly resilient houseplant thrives in various lighting conditions and prefers bright but indirect light. Caring for Pothos is relatively simple – allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. Regular pruning helps maintain its bushy and lush appearance while occasional fertilization promotes healthy growth.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

The Boston fern is a classic houseplant that’s been cherished for its lush foliage and air-purifying properties for centuries. It excels at removing formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air. Maintaining optimal conditions for moisture, sunlight, and temperature is key to successfully growing these generally low-maintenance plants. 

Similar to other fern varieties, Boston ferns require sufficient humidity to flourish and reach their full potential. They thrive in humid environments, making them an excellent choice for bathrooms or kitchens. Regular misting or placing them on trays of water helps maintain the humidity levels they crave, while their cascading fronds bring elegance and freshness.

Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

The vibrant and feathery foliage of the Areca palm adds a tropical touch to indoor spaces while working diligently to cleanse the air. It effectively removes toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. 

Areca palms thrive in bright, indirect light and prefer slightly moist soil. During the growing season, it’s important to water your plant consistently using soft water or rainwater, allowing the soil surface to slightly dry out before the next watering. To meet the humidity requirements, regularly mist the leaves or place the plant on a tray of damp pebbles to create a humid microclimate conducive to thriving growth. This plant is considered one of the best for adding moisture and oxygen production.

Dracaena

Dracaena species are among the best air filtering plants, known for their ability to remove harmful chemicals from the air. They require minimal care and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Dracaena Marginata, an attractive plant with an awesome name, is known as the Dragon Tree with long, slender leaves that grow quite tall, making it a visually appealing addition to any dorm room with space. 

Like others on this list, the Dragon Tree is super effective at removing indoor pollutants, prefers indirect light, and can tolerate neglect – you only need to water when the topsoil feels dry. Its elegant appearance combined with air-purifying qualities makes it a popular choice for students wanting to combine low maintenance with high aesthetic value.

Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Although difficult to grow, Chrysanthemums are a great flower option to add a bit of colour to your office or home. These pretty blooms help filter a number of toxins including ammonia and benzene, which are often found in plastics, detergents, and glue. Their stunning flowers come in various colours, adding a touch of beauty and elegance to your workspace. 

They thrive in slightly cooler environments, ideally ranging from 10 to 18℃. This preference for cooler temperatures presents another advantage of providing shade, which can help prolong the flowering period under such conditions. To ensure optimal growth, it’s important to keep the soil consistently moist, making regular watering a crucial practice.

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

With its thick, glossy leaves, the rubber plant is effective at absorbing airborne toxins. It’s one of the best plants for air quality improvement and is easy to maintain for both beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts.

Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

This palm is known as one of the best indoor plants for clean air and adds a tropical touch to your home. It removes pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde while acting as a natural humidifier for your living space.

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

The Chinese Evergreen is another low-maintenance plant that thrives in low to medium light, making it perfect for low-light dorm rooms. This lush, colorful-leaved plant can enhance the visuals of your space while helping purify the air by filtering toxins like formaldehyde and benzene. Furthermore, this plant requires minimal watering, so you can leave it untreated for a while – for example, when you leave your dorm room for the holidays.

Top 9 Flowers That Is Good For Air Purification 

Scented Geranium

Scented Geranium is one of the most versatile indoor plants you can choose from. With over 200 different variations featuring different kinds of leaves and textures, you can select from rose, lemon, ginger, and more delightful scents to suit your preferences.

Gardenia And Orange Jessamine

With beautiful white flowers and glossy leaves, gardenia is one of the most popular indoor plants. However, keeping it thriving can be a bit tricky as it needs to be kept in a bright and humid environment where it’s protected from drafts. Be sure to water and fertilize it throughout the spring and summer months.

The Orange Jessamine’s white flowers emit an orange blossom scent that will freshen your home with a delightful and refreshing fragrance that fills your living space naturally.

Hoya

This easy-growing vine is not too difficult to take care of for a delightful scent. When in bloom, the plant’s pink or white flowers give off a sweet smell. Keep it in a semi-bright spot and water regularly to grow a successful plant.

Plumeria

Looking to make Hawaiian lei? This easy-to-grow plant will add a tropical twist to your home and leave a pleasant smell in the air with its exotic and refreshing fragrance.

Paperwhites

Beautiful and sweet-smelling, Paperwhites make a perfect addition to any room in your home. These flowers bloom any time of year and produce a distinctive, musky, sweet smell that adds character to your space.

Orchids

Growing Oncidium orchids is an easy way to add some natural sweet smells inside without too much work. Give these orchids plenty of filtered light and warmth, and they will bloom twice a year with beautiful results.

Dianthus

These flowers come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, and red. Dianthus flowers are easy to care for. Most need ample sunlight, but a few varieties will grow well in the shade. With regular watering, these plants bloom vibrant, fragrant flowers in your home.

How Many Plants Do You Need for Effective Air Purification?

To achieve noticeable air purification benefits, experts recommend placing at least one air filter plant per 100 square feet of space. A combination of different plants for air purification can help maximize the benefits by targeting a wider range of pollutants throughout your living environment.

Tips for Caring for Air Purifying Plants

Keeping your air purifying indoor plants healthy ensures they can effectively clean the air. Here are some care tips to keep in mind: 

• Watering: Ensure you provide adequate water without overwatering, which can lead to root rot. 
• Lighting: Some plants like snake plants tolerate low light, while others such as areca palms need bright indirect light. 
• Dusting Leaves: Regularly wipe the leaves to remove dust and allow the plant to absorb pollutants more effectively. 
• Fertilization:  Use appropriate fertilizers to keep your air purifying houseplants thriving.

Conclusion

Indoor plants and flowers don’t just add charm to your home, they also make the air cleaner and healthier. From snake plants to peace lilies and orchids, these natural purifiers reduce toxins while bringing peace and freshness into your space. Creating a mix of them can transform any corner into a soothing retreat. 

At our flower shop Jumeirah, you’ll find a wide collection of air-purifying plants, fresh blooms, and thoughtful arrangements. Browse our Lady Jane collection or flower arrangements to discover the perfect match for your home. For personalized help or to place an order, contact us today.