Breathe Easy: 8 Air-Purifying House & Office Plants for Cleaner Indoor Air

In today's fast-paced and urbanised world, indoor air quality is a growing concern. Our homes and offices which should be sanctuaries of clean air, are often filled with pollutants and toxins that can have detrimental effects on our health. While air purifiers can help, a natural and aesthetically pleasing alternative is to introduce air-purifying plants into our living spaces. These green superheroes not only add beauty and serenity but also filter and cleanse the air we breathe.

What is Biophilia?

In our modern lives, we often find ourselves disconnected from nature, spending the majority of our time indoors. However, incorporating elements of nature into our living spaces is crucial for our well-being and it comes with many health benefits. This is where the concept of biophilia comes into play. Biophilia, the innate human connection with nature, urges us to bring the outdoors inside by incorporating natural elements like air-purifying house plants. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of biophilia and unveil the top eight air-purifying house plants that can transform our homes and offices into biophilic oases.

Selecting and positioning the right house plants could be more important than you thought. Getting the right plants for a space can ultimately make a home or office space more healthy and relaxing. Ready to have clean fresh air flowing through your home or office? Here's a list of five plants that are perfect to help purify the air. 

Research has shown that houseplants can remove as much as 87 percent of airborne toxins in as little as 24 hours. They also improve concentration and productivity by up to 15 percent, reduce stress levels and boost your mood.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Commonly known as Mother-In-Law’s Tongue, this yellow-tipped succulent is a great plant to have anywhere, as these plants are renowned for their robustness and ability to thrive in almost any environment. They are an ideal choice for beginners or those without a green thumb. Snake plants are excellent air purifiers, removing toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, trichloroethylene and benzene from the air. These striking plants have tall, upright leaves with distinctive patterns, making them an eye-catching addition to any room.

Our number one tip is to be mindful not to overwater this plant as the roots are prone to rot in moist soil.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Easy care with big benefits, the Peace Lily requires little light or water to remain healthy, which is why they are a popular indoor plant. Peace lilies are not only beautiful with their elegant white blooms but also highly effective at cleansing the air. They can remove common household toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and ammonia. They also help to reduce the levels of mold spores that grow in the home by absorbing those spores through its leaves and then circulating them to the plant’s roots where they are used as food. 

Peace lilies prefer low to medium light conditions, making them suitable for areas with limited sunlight. It's important to note that while peace lilies are generally safe, they are toxic to pets if ingested, so be cautious if you have furry friends at home.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

The Boston fern is a classic houseplant that has 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 Boston ferns, which are generally considered low-maintenance plants. Similar to other fern varieties, Boston ferns require sufficient humidity to flourish and reach their full potential.

Boston ferns thrive in humid environments, making them an excellent choice for bathrooms or kitchens. Regular misting or placing them on trays of water can help maintain the humidity levels they crave.

With their cascading fronds, Boston ferns bring a touch of elegance and freshness to any room.

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 is 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 of these plants, regularly mist the leaves or place the plant on a tray of damp pebbles. This will help create a humid microclimate conducive to the thriving growth of your plant.

By adding an Areca palm to your living room or office, you not only enhance the aesthetics but also create a healthier atmosphere.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

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

It effectively eliminates formaldehyde, benzene, and other chemicals commonly found in cleaning products. Their spiky leaves add a unique texture to any space, making them a stylish addition to your home or office.

When cultivating Aloe Vera, ensure it is placed in a bright location to facilitate optimal growth. It is crucial to avoid overwatering, as excessive moisture can harm the plant. Additionally, refrain from watering during winter months, allowing the plant to enter a dormant phase.

Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Although one of the most difficult to grow, Chrysanthemums are a great flower option to add a bit of colour to your office or home. These pretty blooms help to filter out 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, as it can help prolong their flowering period in such conditions. To ensure their optimal growth, it's important to keep the soil consistently moist, making regular watering a crucial practice for these plants.

Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum)

Also known as air plants, Spider Plants are a great plant for beginners, with little attention needed. When thriving, Spider Plants send out shoots of baby spider plants called spiderettes.

These hardy plants efficiently remove harmful substances such as formaldehyde and xylene from the air, promoting a healthier environment. Spider Plants are easy to care for and thrive in a wide range of lighting conditions but they don’t appreciate direct, hot sunlight, which can burn their leaves, causing brown tips and spots.

You can separate the baby plantlets from the stolon (the elongated stem from which the baby grows) of the mother plant and initiate the rooting process for the babies.

Devil’s Ivy or pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Devil's Ivy or Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a versatile and low-maintenance plant that can thrive even in dimly lit office corners and can grow up to 8 feet long. With its heart-shaped leaves cascading down from hanging baskets or climbing up trellises, Devil's Ivy is a natural air purifier, eliminating toxins like formaldehyde and benzene. Its lush foliage adds a touch of greenery to any office space.

Caring for Pothos is relatively simple, making it an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced plant enthusiasts. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, as overwatering can lead to root rot. Regular pruning helps maintain its bushy and lush appearance, and occasional fertilization promotes healthy growth.

Additional great plants to have around the house to help with air purification include English Ivy, Rubber plants, Chinese Evergreen, Dracaena, and various Palms such as Areca Palm, Bamboo Palm, Dwarf Date Palm, and Lady Palm. These plants are also known for their ability to remove harmful pollutants from the air and create a healthier indoor environment.

Whether it's the trailing vines of English Ivy, the soothing gel of Aloe Vera, the large and glossy leaves of Rubber plants, or the graceful fronds of Boston Fern, each of these plants contributes to cleaner and fresher air in your home.

Embracing Biophilia in Our Spaces

Integrating air-purifying house plants is a powerful way to embrace biophilia in our homes and offices. By reconnecting with nature, we can enhance our well-being and create healthier, more productive, and aesthetically pleasing environments. These green companions not only purify the air but also provide a sense of tranquility and connection with the natural world. So, let's invite biophilia into our lives and transform our spaces into biophilic oases with the help of air-purifying houseplants.