House plants 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)
The peace lily is easy to grow and blooms beautiful white flowers, so it’s a great addition to any living room or bedroom.
NOTE: Leaves are toxic if eaten in large quantities, so keep away from pets.
Available at Home Depot ($12) and Ikea ($8), or your local garden store and plant nursery.
2. Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
The rubber plant (or tree) is a beautiful house plant from South Asia with large, dark green and burgundy waxy leaves — it’s perfect in a corner of the living room or bedroom.
Available at Home Depot ($17), Wal-Mart ($17), or your local plant shop and garden nursery.
3. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Ivy is a beautiful cascading, hanging plant for windows and kitchens.
NOTE: Leaves are toxic so keep away from pets, and if ingested berries can cause fever and rash.
Available at The Flower Shop ($35), Home Depot ($33) or your local plant nursery.
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.
Buy it here at Home Depot ($17), Amazon ($15), or your local flower shop and plant nursery.
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 for tropical ~island~ vibes.
Available on Amazon ($7) or purchase from your local plant store or garden nursery.
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.
Available at Ikea ($4), Amazon ($8), or your local plant store.
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 house plants. 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.
Available from Home Depot ($13), Amazon ($7), and your local plant nursery.
8. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron cordatum)
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.
Available at Home Depot ($13), Amazon ($4), or your local plant store and nursery.
10. Cornstalk dracaena (Dracaena fragrans) or Massangeana
Called the corn plant for short, this house plant is known for removing several types of toxins from the air and it’s tall tree-like shape makes it a great addition to any room.
NOTE: Leaves are toxic so keep away from pets.
Available at Home Depot ($17), Amazon ($17), and your local plant nursery.
11. Chinese Evergeen (Aglaonema modestum)
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.
NOTE: Leaves are toxic so keep away from pets.
Available at Lowes ($12), Amazon ($10), or your local plant nursery.
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.
Available from Home Depot ($30), Wal-Mart ($16), or your local plant store and nursery.
13. Devil’s Ivy or Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
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.
NOTE: Leaves are toxic so keep away from pets.
Available from Amazon ($8), Sears ($13), or your local plant shop and nursery.
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.
Available at Home Depot ($17), Lowes ($15), and your local plant store.
15. Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
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.
NOTE: Leaves are toxic so keep away from pets.
Available from Amazon ($18), Fast Growing Trees ($60), or your local plant nursery.
