TOP 10 DEPOLLUTING PLANTS:
Purify the air in your home.

The air inside our homes is often more polluted than outside because many items in our homes emit toxic and carcinogenic chemicals that are harmful to our health. Many substances affect the air at home: Pollens that cause allergies, molds, and most importantly, toxic pollutants such as formaldehyde, flame retardants, benzene, ammonia, and volatile organic compounds. These substances can come from furniture, carpets, mattresses, plastics, rubber, textiles, cleaners, paints, and varnishes, as well as from the smoke and pesticides we live with.

There are of course simple solutions to fight against this pollution, such as running a mechanical air purifier or opening a window. To purify the air in your home, it is recommended to ventilate the room for 10 minutes every morning, to maintain a good level of humidity (between 40 and 70%), and to choose your cleaning products carefully. In addition to adequate ventilation, depolluting plants can also help improve indoor air quality. Thanks to the process of photosynthesis, these depolluting plants can absorb chemical pollutants to release oxygen. The use of plants as decontaminants is called phytoremediation. Plants create their own biosystem around their roots, including components such as bacteria, fungi, and other microbes. Pollutants come into the roots’ biosystem through water, air, and gases, often translocated through the leaves. Like nutrients, pollutants from the air and other sources are also broken down in the roots’ biosystem and converted into components that the plants can use. These plants do require some maintenance to keep their depolluting power, so do not hesitate to dust their leaves regularly with a soft damp cloth. And for those who don't have a green thumb, don't panic! These depolluting plants are very resistant!

These are our TOP 10 plants that can help purify the air and improve your well-being.

GERANIUMS

Geraniums are considered by scientists as "the number one purifier" for the house. There are more than 600 species of geraniums around the world, and they offer many possibilities! Growing geraniums as houseplants will allow you to have them all year round. They love the sun and don’t mind drenching in sunlight for long hours. Therefore, if your room has a south or west-facing window, place them there as they need direct sunlight to grow and thrive.

LOCATION: Bright room, living room, kitchen, direct sunlight.
ABSORB: Ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene.

CHLOROPHYTUM (SPIDER PLANT)

Studies have shown that the spider plant is quite effective in purifying indoor air. It is also considered one of the easiest to grow houseplants. It gets its common name from the small plantlets produced on long trailing stems that vaguely resemble spiders. The leaves can be green or variegated with white or yellow stripes. The spider plant is extremely easy to propagate by planting the “spiders” or plantlets that follow the flowers in separate pots.

LOCATION: Bright room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, entrance hall, no direct sunlight.
ABSORBS: Carbon monoxide, xylene, and formaldehyde (paints, agglomerates, tobacco smoke, contaminants from household products).

DRACAENA (DRAGON TREE, SONG OF INDIA)

Both attractive and very easy to grow, it is one of the most popular and best-selling houseplants. From the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), the dragon tree includes about 40 species. Its leaves make this plant one of the most visually striking. You can't miss the yellow stripes that embellish its long narrow leaves.

LOCATION: Entrance hall, corridor, office, no direct sunlight.
ABSORBS: Trichloroethylene, xylene, benzene, carbon monoxide (insulation walls, agglomerates, tobacco smoke).

FICUS BENJAMINA (WEEPING FIG)

This elegant plant has slender branches that arch gracefully from a light gray trunk, with dense and glossy dark leaves. Its light appearance and decorative foliage make it one of the most popular houseplants. It grows quickly and may require repotting once a year, but do it in early spring for better results. It is also a good air humidifier.

LOCATION: Bright room, no direct sunlight.
ABSORBS: Formaldehyde, xylene, and ammonia (insulation foams and carpets glue).

SPATHIPHYLLUM (PEACE LILY)

The peace lily acclimates to a wide variety of indoor environments, and when in full bloom, this beautiful plant makes a statement in your home or office. Both highly decorative and easy to maintain, the peace lily is surprisingly effective at removing toxic chemicals. In addition to fighting air pollutants, it also releases a lot of moisture into the air.

LOCATION: Bright to a shaded room, warm in summer, cooler in winter. Yellow leaves indicate the plant is getting too much light.
ABSORBS: Formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and ammonia (tobacco smoke, contaminants in household products, paint, varnish).

NEPHROLEPIS EXALTATA (BOSTON FERN)

The Boston fern can be grown outdoors but it is most often used as an indoor plant. There are several varieties with varied appearances. In addition to its decorative and very natural look, the Boston fern can also fight static electricity and humidify the air. It needs a cool place with a high humidity level and indirect sun exposure.

LOCATION: Bright room, bathroom, kitchen, no direct sunlight.
ABSORBS: Formaldehyde (carpeting, curtains, plywood, particleboard furniture, and adhesives).

DRACAENA TRIFASCIATA (MOTHER-IN-LAW'S TONGUE, SNAKE PLANT, SANSEVIERIA)

These plants are easy to grow and, in many cases, are almost indestructible. They thrive in both, brightly lit areas and dark corners of the house. Their color can vary, but many have green-striped leaves and usually have a yellow border. Whether you are a beginner or an avid plant lover, this vigorous species will be a great addition to your home.

LOCATION: Bright to a shaded room, bedroom, living room.
ABSORBS: Carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and benzene.

CHAMAEDOREA (BAMBOO PALM)

Despite their name, bamboo palms are not bamboos at all but a type of palm in the Araceae family. They are popular houseplants because they are low-maintenance and can grow in a variety of lighting conditions. Unlike other palms, they don't need a lot of light to thrive. They are ideal houseplants that can add a tropical touch to any room. Healthy palms have dark green leaves and stand erect. Do not buy a plant whose foliage is starting to turn brown.

LOCATION: Bright to a shaded room, living room, entrance hall, no direct sunlight.
ABSORBS: Ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, xylene (degreasers, tobacco smoke, plywood, particle board furniture, glues).

ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA)

Aloe vera is one of the most well-known houseplants because of the gel found in its leaves. If you go to a pharmacy or department store, chances are you will find at least one product containing aloe vera gel with a picture of this plant on the packaging. This houseplant is extremely easy to maintain and it can be incredibly beautiful and striking.

LOCATION: Bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom, office.
ABSORBS: Carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and electromagnetic waves.

FICUS ELASTICA (RUBBER PLANT)

The rubber plant is a popular ornamental houseplant from the Ficus genus. It remains one of the most frequently found in homes plants and has never lost its popularity over the decades. Its decorative effect is assured. The idea is to add a small tree with large, bright, and attractive leaves to your home. Although it prefers light, it can also grow in low light conditions and it is an easy plant to maintain.

LOCATION: Bright room, living room, veranda, entrance hall, no direct sunlight.
ABSORBS: Ammonia, formaldehyde, toluene, xylene (lacquers, glues, agglomerates, insecticides).

OUR ADVICE:

Before buying a houseplant, consider the size of your room as well as the characteristics of your plant. There are many plants with various depolluting properties. These are some of them: Aglaonema (Chinese evergreen), Anthurium (Flamingo lily), Hedera Helix (ivy), among many others. The best would be to ask your florist for advice.

Unless you have a jungle in your home, the effectiveness of depolluting plants remains moderate. If the air in your home is seriously affecting your health, you should consult a specialist to find appropriate solutions.

Author: Patrick Vicente, Home & Garden editor.
Date: April, 2025
Contact: @artesany.international

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