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Collection: Air Purifying Plants

Our air purifying houseplants are handpicked for both their proven air-cleaning qualities and their beauty, so you get cleaner air and a greener space at the same time. Every plant in this collection is easy to care for and delivered healthy to your door with our 30-Day Happiness Guarantee.

30-Day Customer Happiness Guarantee

At All About Planties, we believe in the joy that plants bring into your life. That’s why we stand by the quality of our plants with our 30-Day Customer Happiness Guarantee. We promise that your plants will arrive healthy, happy, and ready to thrive in their new home. If not, we’ll make it right!

Explore our 30-Day Guarantee

Air Purifying Houseplants: Buying & Care Guide

Choosing air purifying plants means balancing two things: air-cleaning effectiveness and ease of care. This guide covers what the science actually says, which plants perform best, and how to keep them thriving in your home or office.

Want a new air purifying plant delivered every month? Our Indoor Houseplant Subscription Box sends a handpicked, healthy plant to your door on a monthly, 6-month, or 12-month plan starting at $24.99.

Do Houseplants Actually Purify the Air?

Yes, with some context. The most-cited research comes from a 1989 NASA study that found certain houseplants can absorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde, benzene,
and trichloroethylene. Plants like Peace Lily, Spider Plant, Snake Plant, and Golden Pothos were among the top performers.

The honest caveat: the original study was conducted in sealed lab conditions. In a typical home with normal ventilation, you'd need many plants to match those results. That said, houseplants do measurably improve air quality, reduce dust particles, and increase humidity — all real benefits for your indoor environment. Think of them as a natural complement to good ventilation, not a replacement for it.

What Are the Best Air Purifying Indoor Plants for Homes and Offices?

The top performers from the NASA study that are also practical and easy to care for include Peace Lily, Spider Plant, Snake Plant, Golden Pothos, Dracaena, and Rubber Plant. All of these are available in our collection and proven to thrive in typical home and office conditions.

For offices specifically, Snake Plants and Dracaena are the strongest choice, they tolerate fluorescent lighting, infrequent watering, and low humidity without complaint. For living spaces and bedrooms, Peace Lily and Spider Plant are consistently top picks effective air purifiers that also look beautiful in any room.

Not sure which one fits your space? Take our Plant Finder Quiz and get a match in under 2 minutes.

How Many Plants Do You Need to Improve Indoor Air Quality?

For meaningful air quality improvement in a typical room, research suggests roughly one medium-to-large plant per 100 square feet. That means a 300 square foot living room benefits from 2-3 good-sized air purifying plants placed throughout the space.

The practical approach: start with one or two in the rooms where you spend the most time: bedroom, home office, or living room, and add more over time. Our Air Purifying Plant Bundle is a great starting point: it gives you a curated mix of proven air-cleaning varieties sized and priced for immediate impact.

How Do You Care for Air Purifying Houseplants?

Most air purifying plants are also easy care, that's part of what makes them practical choices for real homes. The general rules: bright indirect light works best for most varieties, water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and use well-draining potting mix to prevent root rot.

A few variety-specific notes: Peace Lily prefers consistently moist soil and lower light, while Snake Plants and Pothos
are extremely forgiving and can handle drought and low light equally well. Spider Plants thrive in bright indirect light and benefit from occasional misting. Every plant from All About Planties comes with a digital care guide or browse our Plant Care Library for detailed guides on any variety.

Are Air Purifying Plants Safe for Pets?

Not all of them — and it's important to know before you buy. Some of the most effective air purifying plants, including
Peace Lily, Pothos, Snake Plant, and Dracaena, are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. If you have pets at home, you'll need to be selective about which varieties you choose or where you place them.

Pet-safe air purifying options include Spider Plants, Areca Palm, and Boston Fern, all of which have air-cleaning properties and are verified non-toxic. Browse our Pet-Friendly Plants collection for options that are safe for cats and dogs, or use the Plant Finder Quiz to filter by both air purifying and pet safety at the same time.