Ask the Experts The Top 5 Air Purifying Indoor Plants May 25, 2020 Looking to purify your home by reducing the toxins in the air? Today, purchasing an air purifier seems to be the only sensible option. However, they can be costly. The toxins and germs that are invisible to the naked eye are the most harmful. So what can we do? Invest in air purifying indoor plants. NASA discovered that houseplants can take in hazardous chemicals from the air. Air purifying plants do more than rid the air of harmful toxins, they will also do a good job of jazzing up your home. Win-win! Southern Botanical, your Dallas landscaping services company, shares this list of top 5 air purifying houseplants, including where to place them in your home, and how to care for them. 1. Areca palm All plants are biologically designed to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air. What makes the areca palm special is its ability to purify the air by eradicating hazardous chemicals like xylene, formaldehyde, and toluene. Our recommendation: Place the plant in filtered light. Water often. 2. Money plant The money plant is popular for its high purification rate and its ability to remove pollutants and chemicals from the air, like formaldehyde, toluene, benzene, and xylene. But parents and pet owners should note that this plant is toxic to dogs, cats, as well as small children if ingested. Our recommendation: Put the plant in an area that is out of reach of kids or pets. 3. Spider plant The spider plant is very resilient. It is safe to be around pets and children, and will battle harmful toxins in the air such as xylene and carbon monoxide. Our recommendation: The spider plant is pretty low maintenance. You can also repot them and it will grow a new family of plants! It will do well in the living room or bedroom. 4. Aloe Vera This plant is popular due to its ability to soothe burns. Aside from that, this amazing succulent can purify the air of benzene and formaldehyde that can be found in floor finishes, varnishes, and detergents. Our recommendation: The aloe plant loves the sun, so it’s best to place it on your windowsill. There is no need to water it often, so it is perfect for beginner plant parents. 5. Rubber plant The rubber plant is very easy to care for. Their huge leaves have the ability to take in toxins and chemicals, break them down, and convert them into oxygen. Bonus: it can also eradicate mold spores and bacteria in the air! Our recommendation: Put the plant in your bedroom or living room. As you can see, these air purifying indoor plants are popular not just because they are nice to look at! Sources: “Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement,” NASA, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19930073077. “20 Best Plants for Cleaning Indoor Air,” HGTV, 26 Feb. 2020, https://www.hgtv.com/design/remodel/interior-remodel/10-best-plants-for-cleaning-indoor-air-pictures. “The Best Air-Purifying Plants for Your Home,” Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/air-purifying-plants.