Houseplants don’t just make your place look gorgeous and adult AF — they can also improve the air quality.
They can make your home more ~breathable~ by increasing the amount of oxygen in the air through photosynthesis, but they can also filter and purify the air. Studies show they can even remove toxins from the air, like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. Plus, most air-purifying plants are also pretty and easy to care for.
Here are some that you’ll definitely want around your home:
1. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
NOTE: Leaves are toxic if eaten in large quantities, so keep away from pets.
The peace lily is easy to grow and blooms beautiful white flowers, so it’s a great addition to any living room or bedroom.
2. Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
The rubber plant (or tree) is a beautiful houseplant from South Asia with large, dark green and burgundy waxy leaves — it’s perfect in a corner of the living room or bedroom.
3. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
NOTE: Leaves are toxic so keep away from pets, and if ingested berries can cause fever and rash.
English Ivy is a beautiful cascading, hanging plant for windows and kitchens.
4. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Snake plants are a super popular air-purifying house plant because they’re beautiful and basically impossible to kill — the perfect option if you’re a neglectful young adult.
NOTE: Leaves are toxic so keep away from pets.
5. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
This air-purifying palm thrives in shady indoor spaces so it’s a great addition your bedroom or bathroom, especially if you’re going to tropical ~island~ vibes.
6. Aloe Vera
Aloe is a fast-growing decorative succulent that doubles as a soothing gel if you break the leaf in half (it’ll grow back, don’t worry). Aloe vera is totally safe for skin and people, but it’s toxic for cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach.
NOTE: Leaves are toxic so keep away from pets.
7. Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
Dumb canes come in a variety of beautiful multicolored leaf patterns and they’re super easy to grow and keep as houseplants. But they’re actually called dumb canes because of their poisonous effect when eaten, which can slur or stop speech and even close the throat and be fatal in large quantities — so make sure to keep this one away from pets and curious young children.
8. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron cordatum)
The heartleaf philodendron is a popular houseplant because it’s extremely easy to take care of and it has beautiful, large heart-shaped leaves.
NOTE: Leaves are toxic to humans and pets if eaten.
9. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The spider plant is super easy to take care of and it will flourish in a well-lit living room or kitchen.
10. Cornstalk dracaena (Dracaena fragrans) or Massangeana
NOTE: Leaves are toxic so keep away from pets.
Called the corn plant for short, this houseplant is known for removing several types of toxins from the air and its tall tree-like shape makes it a great addition to any room.
11. Chinese Evergeen (Aglaonema modestum)
NOTE: Leaves are toxic so keep away from pets.
The Chinese evergreen comes in a variety of gorgeous colors and leaf patterns, and it’s an easy plant to grow as long as you water regularly and keep it warm.
12. Money Bonsai or Guiana Chestnut (Pachira aquatica)
Money bonsai trees are known for their gorgeous braided trunks, which can become relatively tall and strong once the tree matures. They thrive in humid environments, so this one is great for the bathroom.
13. Devil’s Ivy or Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
NOTE: Leaves are toxic so keep away from pets.
Devil’s ivy has large, multicolored leaves and it can grow super long so it’s best in a hanging basket or a high table where it can cascade everywhere and turn your home into a magical forest.
14. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Ferns are subtropical plants so this one will need a good amount of humidity to thrive, but once it grows, it’s a beautiful hanging decorative piece.
15. Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
NOTE: Leaves are toxic so keep away from pets.
The weeping fig is a wonderful large-leafed tree that’s low maintenance and just needs a sunny spot by in the kitchen living room to thrive and purify your air.