BEST INDOOR PLANTS BY NASA

Hedera helix   English ivy Chlorophytum comosum   spider plant Epipiremnum aureum   golden pothos Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa'    peace lily Aglaonema modestum   Chinese evergreen Chamaedorea sefritzii   bamboo or reed palm Sansevieria trifasciata    snake plant Philodendron scandens `oxycardium'   heartleaf philodendron Philodendron selloum   selloum philodendron Philodendron domesticum    elephant ear philodendron Dracaena marginata   red-edged dracaena Dracaena fragrans `Massangeana'   cornstalk dracaena Dracaena deremensis `Janet Craig'   Janet Craig dracaena Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii'   Warneck dracaena Ficus benjamina  weeping fig nts

Best Air-Filtering House Plants According to NASA!

Michael Graham RichardLiving / Green FoodFebruary 9, 2009

Plants to Filter the Air in Your HouseHaving good indoor air quality is very important, especially since many of us spend so much time inside. NASA did a study to find out which plants were best to filter the air of the space station, and their findings are available to all.

Read on to see which house plants are best to filter the air (no only producing Oxygen from CO2, but also absorbing benzene, formaldehyde and/or trichloroethylene.

Via Wikipedia: English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Golden pothos or Devil's ivy (Scindapsus aures or Epipremnum aureum)

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum 'Mauna Loa')

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)

Bamboo palm or reed palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)

Snake plant or mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii')

Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium, syn. Philodendron cordatum)

Selloum philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum, syn. Philodendron selloum)

Elephant ear philodendron (Philodendron domesticum)

Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)

Cornstalk dracaena (Dracaena fragans 'Massangeana')

Janet Craig dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig')

Warneck dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii')

Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)

Gerbera Daisy or Barberton daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

Pot Mum or Florist's Chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium)

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

You can also see the best plants to filter formaldehyde, xylene and toluene by follow the link below.

10 Best Clean Air House Plants

Selection is based on ease of growth and maintenance, resistance to pests, efficiency at removing chemical vapors, and transpiration rates.

Areca Palm

Also known as yellow palm or butterfly palm, the areca palm is one of the most popular and graceful palms. It is tolerant of the indoor environment, releases copious amounts of moisture into the air, removes chemical toxins, and is beautiful. The areca is consistently rated among the best houseplants for removing all indoor air toxins tested. Best in direct, bright sunlight.

Raphis Palm

This large palm has fans six to 12 inch wide with four and 10 thick, shiny leaves. It is highly resistant to attack by most plant insects and is great for improving indoor air quality. It grows slowly and is easy to maintain. Best in direct, bright sunlight.

Bamboo Palm

Easy to care for and a popular variety. The bamboo palm pumps much needed moisture into the indoor atmosphere, especially during winter months when heating systems dry the air. This palm is also one of the top-rated plants tested for the removal of benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde. Best in direct, bright sunlight.

Rubber Plant

Bred for toughness, it will tolerate dim light and cool temperatures, making it an excellent house plant. This plant is easy to grow and is great for removing chemical toxins from the indoor environment, particularly formaldehyde. Best in direct, bright sunlight to indirect, medium sunlight.

Dracaena "Janet Craig"

The dark-green leaves of dracaena "Janet Craig" make it an attractive plant. It is one of the best plants for removing trichloreoethylene. These plants can tolerate neglect and dimly lit environments. This plant does best in indirect, medium sunlight. It will tolerate dimly lit areas, but growth will be slow.

Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)The red edges of this easy dracaena bring a pop of color, and the shrub can grow to reach your ceiling. This

plant is best for removing xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde, which can be introduced to indoor air

through lacquers, varnishes and gasoline.

English Ivy

English Ivy is often used as ground cover in public atriums or lobbies. But to add interest, try growing it

in topiary form or in hanging baskets. They are easy to grow and adapt to a variety of home

environments. However, they do not generally do well in high temperatures. Best in indirect, medium

sunlight to low sunlight.

English ivy (Hedera helix)A study found that the plant reduces airborne fecal-matter particles. It has also been shown to filter out

formaldehyde found in some household cleaning products.

Pothos

One of the primary reasons Pothos is popular is it can tolerate lower light, lower humidity and cooler temperatures than many other plants. Pothos are rated one of the best houseplants for removing all indoor air toxins. Pothos also goes by a few other names: devil's ivy, pothos ivy and has a few cultivars. The most common variety "Golden Pothos" gets the most use in the interior business. Two other varieties are "Marble Queen" with a streaky white on green and "Jade" which is green. Pothos does not like wet feet and the soil should not stay too moist. Every so often a Pothos could use a good pruning - but prune selectively. This will also promote new growth. Best in indirect, medium sunlight but it will also tolerate very low light.

Golden pothos (Scindapsus aures)Another powerful plant for tackling formaldehyde, this fast-growing vine will create a cascade of green from a

hanging basket. Consider it for your garage since car exhaust is filled with formaldehyde. (Bonus: Golden

pothos, also know as devil’s ivy, stays green even when kept in the dark.)

Ficus Alii

This is a new ficus variety that is rapidly gaining in popularity. Its slender dark green leaves make it an extremely attractive plant. Its ability to help purify the air, ease of growth and resistance to insects make it an excellent choice for the home or office. It is much less finicky than the Ficus Benjamina. Like all species of ficus, expect some leaf drop until the plant adjusts to its new location. Best in direct, bright sunlight to indirect, medium sunlight.

Boston Fern

Ferns are probably one of the oldest groups of plants. Many have been found as fossils dating back to prehistoric times. The Boston Fern's stiff fronds arch out, drooping downward as they age. It is grown strictly for its foliage for it does not produce flowers. It is best displayed in a hanging basket or sitting upon a pedestal. As an indoor plant, the Boston Fern requires a certain amount of attention. It must have frequent misting and watering, or the leaves will quickly turn brown and begin to drop. It is the best for removing air pollutants, especially formaldehyde, and for adding humidity to the indoor environment. Best in indirect, medium sunlight.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

An outstanding foliage plant that also produces beautiful white spathes, the peace lily should always be included when seeking a variety of indoor plants. This plant has a high transpiration rate and enjoys the large water reservoir that hydroculture offers. It possesses all the qualities to make it one of the best

indoor plants. The Peace Lily excels in the removal of alcohols, acetone, trichloroethylene, benzene and formaldehyde. Its ability to remove air pollutants and its excellent performance in all categories make it a most valuable houseplant. Best in indirect, medium sunlight to low sunlight.

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)Shade and weekly watering are all the peace lily needs to survive and produce blooms. It topped NASA’s list for

removing all three of most common VOCs — formaldehyde, benzeneand trichloroethylene. It can also combat

toluene and xylene.

 

Breath of fresh air

Spider plant (chlorophytom comosom

Gerber daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)This bright, flowering plant is effective at removing trichloroethylene, which you may bring home with your dry

cleaning. It’s also good for filtering out the benzene that comes with inks. Add one to your laundry room or

bedroom — presuming you can give it lots of light.

 

Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii')Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, this plant is one of the best for filtering out formaldehyde, which is

common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissues and personal care products. Put one in your bathroom — it’ll

thrive with low light and steamy humid conditions while helping filter out air pollutants.

 

Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)A ficus in your living room can help filter out pollutants that typically accompany carpeting and furniture such as

formaldehyde, benzeneand trichloroethylene. Caring for a ficus can be tricky, but once you get the watering and

light conditions right, they will last a long time.

 

Azalea (Rhododendron simsii)Bring this beautiful flowering shrub into your home to combat formaldehyde from sources such as plywood or

foam insulation. Because azaleas do best in cool areas around 60 to 65 degrees, they’re a good option for

improving indoor air in your basement if you can find a bright spot.

Warneck dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii')Combat pollutants associated with varnishes and oils with this dracaena. The Warneckii grows inside easily,

even without direct sunlight. With striped leaves forming clusters atop a thin stem, this houseplant can be

striking, especially if it reaches its potential height of 12 feet.

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema Crispum 'Deborah')This easy-to-care-for plant can help filter out a variety of air pollutants and begins to remove more toxins as

time and exposure continues. Even with low light, it will produce blooms and red berries.

Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)Also known as the reed palm, this small palm thrives in shady indoor spaces and often produces flowers and

small berries. It tops the list of plants best for filtering out both benzeneand trichloroethylene. They’re also a

good choice for placing around furniture that could be off-gassing formaldehyde.

 

Heart leaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium)This climbing vine plant isn’t a good option if you have kids or pets — it's toxic when eaten, but it's a workhorse

for removing all kinds ofVOCs. Philodendrons are particularly good at battling formaldehyde from sources like

particleboard.

nts

Plant, Top remover of:

benzene(NASA)

[1]

formaldehyde(NASA)[1]

(Wolverton)[3]

trichloroethylene

(NASA)[1]

xylene and

toluene[3]

[4]

ammonia[4]

Poisonous or

Edible?

Dwarf date palm (Phoenix roebelenii)

No Wolverton No Yes No  ?

Areca palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)

No No No Yes No  ?

Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata "Bostoniensis")

No Wolverton No Yes No  ?

Kimberly queen fern (Nephrolepis obliterata)

No Wolverton No Yes No  ?

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Yes Wolverton No Yes No  ?

Lilyturf (Liriope spicata) No Yes No Yes Yes  ?

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

No NASA No Yes No  ?

Golden pothos or Devil's ivy(Scindapsus aures or Epipremnum aureum)

No NASA No No No

Poisonous if eaten or chewed by pets or children[5]

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum 'Mauna Loa')

Yes Wolverton Yes Yes Yes  ?

Flamingo lily (Anthurium No Yes No Yes Yes Poisonous[6]

Plant, Top remover of:

benzene(NASA)

[1]

formaldehyde(NASA)[1]

(Wolverton)[3]

trichloroethylene

(NASA)[1]

xylene and

toluene[3]

[4]

ammonia[4]

Poisonous or

Edible?

andraeanum)

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)

Wolverton[7] Wolverton[7] No No No  ?

Bamboo palm or reed palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)

No NASA, Wolverton No Yes No  ?

Broadleaf Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)

No Yes No Yes Yes  ?

Snake plant or mother-in-law's tongue(Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii')

Wolverton NASA Wolverton Yes NoToxic to cats and dogs [8]

Heartleaf philodendron(Philodendron oxycardium, syn. Philodendron cordatum)

No NASA No No No  ?

Selloum philodendron(Philodendron bipinnatifidum, syn. Philodendron selloum)

No NASA No No No  ?

Elephant ear philodendron (Philodendron domesticum)

No NASA No No No  ?

Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)

Yes NASA Yes Yes NoToxic to Dogs and Cats [9]

Plant, Top remover of:

benzene(NASA)

[1]

formaldehyde(NASA)[1]

(Wolverton)[3]

trichloroethylene

(NASA)[1]

xylene and

toluene[3]

[4]

ammonia[4]

Poisonous or

Edible?

Cornstalk dracaena(Dracaena fragans 'Massangeana')

No NASA No No No  ?

Janet Craig dracaena(Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig')

Yes Wolverton No Yes No

Poisonous if eaten or chewed on by dogs[10]

Warneck dracaena(Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii')

Yes No Yes Yes No  ?

Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)[11] No Wolverton No Yes No

Poisonous if eaten or chewed by dogs, cats and horses[12]

Gerbera Daisy or Barberton daisy(Gerbera jamesonii)

Yes Wolverton Yes No No  ?

Pot Mum or Florist's Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Yes NASA, Wolverton Yes Yes Yes

Poisonous if eaten or chewed by dogs, cats and horses[13]

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

No Wolverton No No No  ?

Dendrobium orchid (Dendrobium sp.)

No No No Yes No  ?

Dumb cane (Camilla) 

No No No Yes No Mildly toxic to children

Plant, Top remover of:

benzene(NASA)

[1]

formaldehyde(NASA)[1]

(Wolverton)[3]

trichloroethylene

(NASA)[1]

xylene and

toluene[3]

[4]

ammonia[4]

Poisonous or

Edible?

(Dieffenbachia)and pets if eaten or chewed[14]

Dumb cane (Exotica) (Dieffenbachia)

No No No Yes No

Mildly toxic to children and pets if eaten or chewed[14]

King of hearts (Homalomena wallisii)

No No No Yes No  ?

Moth

orchid (Phalenopsis

sp.)

NoNo