5 NASA Approved Houseplants That Detoxify Your Home

What we put into our bodies matters. That does stop with what we eat and drink. The air we breathe plays an important role in our overall health. Environmental factors can impact our air quality, but a NASA study reveals that we can naturally improve the air quality in our homes. Many people use air purifiers, but incorporating certain plants into your home can help purify the air while also adding beauty.

In the study, NASA examined how houseplants purify the air in sealed space stations. Not only do they release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, but plants also help remove common air pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. Those pollutants can cause irritation to our skin, eyes, nose, and throat.

NASA Suggests Multiple Varieties Of Plants As Natural Air Purifiers

Lucian Alexe

Here are a few of our favorites that aren’t terribly high-maintenance, are aesthetically pleasing, and will help purify the air.

Spider Plant

Spider plants are funky-looking, green, and easy to care for. They tolerate a wide range of temperatures and flourish in indirect sunlight. As far as air purifying is concerned, they remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air.

Snake Plant

Snake plants can range from small greenery on a shelf to large potted wonders. They don’t require much light or frequent watering. These easy-going plants remove formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene, and nitrogen oxides from your home without asking for much in return.

Max Williams

Peace Lily

Peace Lilies are beautiful flowering plants that thrive in indirect light, but will require more watering than other plants. That consistently moist soil helps the peace lily to grow and remove formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, and ammonia from our homes.

Aloe Vera

If you’ve ever burned yourself or spent too much time in the sun, you know how handy it is to have an aloe plant in your home. They produce a soothing gel if you keep them in bright indirect light and water them occasionally. In addition to their first aid properties, aloe plants will remove formaldehyde and benzene from the air.

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Philodendron

Philodendron plants come in a variety of colors, making them a fun choice to highlight your home’s décor. We particularly love the pink princess and ring of fire varieties. This colorful foliage will effectively remove formaldehyde, but you’ll have to water it regularly and keep it in indirect light.

Not only will these plants purify the air in your home, make it a beautiful space to live, but they also lend a helpful ear if you need to get a few things off your chest. The best part is that they don’t talk back and never judge.