These playful plants will help eliminate harmful toxins in the air!

Give yourself (and your home) a breath of fresh air with our list of air purifying houseplants. A Clean Air Study conducted by NASA determined houseplants to be effective at removing certain pollutants from the air. These plants have a natural process to remove toxic pollutants in addition to absorbing Carbon Dioxide and releasing Oxygen into the air - all of which help you to breathe a little easier.

Additional studies have taken place to confirm the validity and accuracy of the NASA Clean Air Study. What these studies found is that to make a substation difference in air quality, you need a large number of plants quietly cleaning the air - some scientists say upwards of 10 plants per square foot. However, even a slight difference is still a difference, and there is certainly no harm in filling your home with air purifying houseplants! With the cool temperatures of fall and winter quickly approaching, we will begin to spend more and more time indoors. It is important that the air quality in your home is the best it can be during this season of the year! Enjoy some fresh air by adding one (or two) of these air purifying plants to your home:

1. Parlor Palm

Chamaedorea elegans

Parlor Palms, also known as Neanthe Bella Palms, have long been popular houseplants. This tabletop-size palm is easy to care for, safe for pets, and of course has air purifying benefits!

Removes: Benzene, Formaldehyde, Trichloroethylene, Xylene, Toluene, Ammonia

2. Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum

Peace Lilies are commonly recommended for bedrooms and bathrooms. This is due to their ability to both their ability to thrive in low light. Start breathing easier by placing a Peace Lily on your nightstand!

Removes: Benzene, Formaldehyde, Trichloroethylene, Xylene, Toluene, Ammonia

3. Janet Craig Compacta

Dracaena fragrans

Janet Craig Compacta is, as the name suggests, a compact variety of Dracaena. Like most Dracaena varieties, Janet Craig is very low maintenance and great for a variety of lighting conditions while it helps clean the air.

Removes: Benzene, Formaldehyde, Trichloroethylene, Xylene, Toluene

4. English Ivy

Hedera Helix

English Ivy is a popular trailing plant, commonly used in outdoor planters and gardens, but also makes a playful indoor plant! The trailing vines are great for hanging in a window and will quietly battle harmful toxins in the air.

Removes: Benzene, Formaldehyde, Trichloroethylene, Xylene, Toluene

5. Variegated Snake Plant

Dracaena trifasciana 'Laurentii'

Snake Plants are regarded as one of the easiest plants to care for, due to needing little water and sunlight to thrive! The variegated 'Laurentii' variety features bright yellow margins on the classic dark green leaves.

Removes: Benzene, Formaldehyde, Trichloroethylene, Xylene, Toluene

6. Flamingo Lily

Anthurium

Flamingo Lilies, or Anthurium, bring bright colors to a windowsill and bloom year round! Though the 'blooms' are not technically true flowers, it still brightens up a room regardless, as it purifies the air.

Removes: Formaldehyde, Xylene, Toluene, Ammonia

7. White Striped Dracaena

Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii'

Warneckii Dracaena is a fast growing variety of Dracaena known for the white striping which adorns mint-green leaves. This Dracaena is great for a low light area and helps filter a host of pollutants from the air!

Removes: Benzene, Formaldehyde, Trichloroethylene, Xylene, Toluene

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