10 Best Indoor Plants for Air Quality in 2022 (Master Gardener-Reviewed)
We’ve scoured the internet to find plants that are both nice to look at and effective air purifiers. Whether you're a new plant parent or a seasoned green thumb, you can't go wrong with a simple, sturdy snake plant like the one from Burpee. They're easy to care for and will release oxygen into the air. Browse more below and check out our buying guide reviewed by a master gardener and homestead blogger for tips on how to choose the right air-purifying plant for your home.
Quick List - Top Indoor Plants for Air Quality
Gardening and wildcrafting food for her family, Amy grows in a variety of gardens including hydroponic, raised beds, containers, and in the ground. As a master gardener, she has successfully gardened across the country.
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How to Choose an Indoor Plant for Air Quality – Buying Guide
Know Which Toxins Plants Can Remove
Some plants are really good at cleaning just one toxin whereas others are good at absorbing several. If your primary concern when choosing a plant is how well it can clean the air, be sure to check which and how many toxins it’s most effective against.
Some of the most common (and most dangerous) indoor air pollutants include formaldehyde, which can be found in most pressed wood furniture pieces; carbon monoxide, which can come from gas-powered heat sources or from outdoors; and ammonia, which can come from commonly used cleaning products.
Be Sure That You Can Take Care of Your Plant Properly
Some plants are hardier than others. For example, snake plants only need to be watered every two to six weeks, which is great for travelers. They tolerate most temperatures and like medium light, which means they can be placed almost anywhere in your home. Plus, they don’t need much air circulation.
On the other hand, English ivies can be quite finicky. They like humidity, but not overwatering. They're prone to spider mite infestations. And since they originated in northern Europe, they prefer cooler conditions. If you don’t give them just the right amount of water, light, and fertilizer, they could turn brown and drop leaves.
Long story short: if you’re out on business trips a lot, or if you know that you aren’t going to remember to water your plants, get something hardy.
Match Your Plants to the Size of Your Space
As a point of reference for how many plants you want to aim to have, the NASA study recommends having one six to eight-inch plant per 100 square feet of space.
Ensure Your Plant Isn’t Poisonous if You Have Indoor Pets
Even though a plant may clean the air, that doesn’t necessarily make it totally benign, and in fact, many air-cleaning plants are toxic to pets and humans when ingested.
So if you have pets or young children, it’s vital that you check whether a plant is poisonous before you buy it. Even if you plan on keeping it in a hard-to-reach location, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
10 Best Indoor Plants for Air Quality
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Burpee Black Coral Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) | | A Low Maintenance VOC Cleaning Plant | |
2 | JM BAMBOO Peace Lily Plant (Spathiphyllum)｜2-pack | | Add Some Flowers to Your Space | |
3 | Costa Farms Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) | | A Plant You Can Easily Propagate | |
4 | Hirt's Gardens Wintergreen Weeping Fig Tree (Ficus benjamina) | | An Air Purifying Houseplant-Sized Tree | |
5 | Hirt's Gardens Reverse Variegated Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) | | A Temperature-Resistant Plant for Pet Owners | |
6 | JM BAMBOO Aloe Vera (A. barbadensis) | | Use This Plant as a Soothing Ointment | |
7 | Hirt's Gardens Victorian Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) | | An Indoor Palm for Tropical Vibes | |
8 | Costa Farms Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) | | A Fern That Loves a Hanging Pot | |
9 | Costa Farms Red Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum) | | Tall and Easy to Care For | |
10 | Josh's Frogs Clean Air Houseplant Multipack｜3-pack | | A Variety Pack for Indecisive Plant Owners |
BurpeeBlack Coral Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
A Low Maintenance VOC Cleaning Plant
This particular plant is a unique variety with darker leaves and less yellow variegation than most other snake plants. Reviewers write that it arrives in beautiful condition with the largest leaves already about two feet tall.
Add Some Flowers to Your Space
However, peace lilies are mildly toxic to both pets and humans, so these are best for homes without animals or curious little ones. Reviewers said these particular plants arrived healthy, full-sized, and with a strong, established root system.
A Plant You Can Easily Propagate
This variety of pothos has variegation on the leaves that will increase with a good source of bright, indirect light. Some reviewers note that this plant may arrive with dead leaves due to the cold. On the other hand, many found a well-established root system and even some new growth.
Hirt's GardensWintergreen Weeping Fig Tree (Ficus benjamina)
An Air Purifying Houseplant-Sized Tree
This little tree starts at three to four feet tall, but can grow to be up to 10 feet given the right conditions. Reviewers note that this particular tree arrives strong and healthy and that it can tolerate lower light conditions than your average ficus.
Hirt's GardensReverse Variegated Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
A Temperature-Resistant Plant for Pet Owners
This is one of the few air cleaning plants that is not toxic to pets, and in fact, cats love chewing on these. Reviewers for this particular plant write that it’s extremely fast-growing and will put out tons of new plants in no time.
Use This Plant as a Soothing Ointment
While aloe vera is not poisonous for humans (you can actually eat it!), it can be dangerous for pets to ingest, though you can still use it topically on animals. Reviewers write that it arrives well-packaged and healthy.
Hirt's GardensVictorian Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
An Indoor Palm for Tropical Vibes
With care and re-potting, these plants can grow to over six feet tall. However, reviewers noted that this palm is quite small and will take a while to reach a good size. Many said theirs arrived healthy and quickly began to thrive.
A Fern That Loves a Hanging Pot
The fern measures about 20 inches and can grow to up to three feet in height and width. It's shipped in a hanging pot, so it's ready to be added to your collection. Some reviewers found this plant difficult to care for and said theirs died. However, many said their fern arrived in great condition and was beautiful.
Costa FarmsRed Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum)
Tall and Easy to Care For
This tropical plant is great for newbie plant parents. It's drought-resistant and able to withstand low light, although sunlight will really help it thrive. It's been shown to cleanse formaldehyde and benzene from the air, which are commonly found in detergents and cosmetics.
When shipped, it measures around 14-inches tall. On receiving the plant, some reviewers found that it consisted of multiple starter pots placed into a larger pot and they needed to cut the small pots free. However, many other reviewers were impressed that their plant arrived healthy, strong, and beautiful.
Josh's FrogsClean Air Houseplant Multipack ｜ 3-pack
A Variety Pack for Indecisive Plant Owners
Reviewers note that they arrive in good condition, though some may not be well-rooted yet. The seller also guarantees live arrival at temperatures between 20 and 85 degrees.
More Products to Cultivate Your Green Thumb
Fill your home with foliage and give your plant babies the best care. Check out some of our other favorite products for indoor plant lovers.
Top 5 Indoor Plants for Air Quality
No. 1: Burpee｜Black Coral Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
No. 2: JM BAMBOO｜Peace Lily Plant (Spathiphyllum)｜2-pack
No. 3: Costa Farms｜Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
No. 4: Hirt's Gardens｜Wintergreen Weeping Fig Tree (Ficus benjamina)
No. 5: Hirt's Gardens｜Reverse Variegated Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.