Indoor Greenery Guide – 10 Best Plants for Air Purification and Low Light

Want to improve the air quality in your home without spending a fortune on high-tech air purifiers? You’re not alone. A simple, natural way to refresh your living space is by adding houseplants. These green companions can absorb toxins, reduce allergens, and even help with humidity. Some might even make your place feel cooler and more inviting.

But can a few houseplants really purify your air in a meaningful way? Let’s cut into what science says—and which plants are best if you’re looking to bring some freshness inside.

Purifying

First, let’s manage expectations. While popular belief says plants can purify indoor air, modern studies suggest you’d need a mini forest—possibly hundreds of plants—to truly purify the air in an average home.

However, startups like Neoplants are trying to change that. They’ve engineered enhanced houseplants that reportedly clean air up to 30 times faster. For now, that’s still a developing space, but here’s the good news: even regular plants have small but real benefits.

Adding greenery to your home won’t hurt and can slightly improve air quality by absorbing pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and other VOCs. Plus, they make your space feel more alive.

Best

Looking for the best low-maintenance plants that pull double duty as air purifiers? These four options have been proven to clean the air and are pretty easy to care for.

Plant Name	Removes	Sunlight Needs	Pet Safe
Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)	Formaldehyde, Benzene, Toluene	Indirect light	No
Peace Lily	Formaldehyde, Benzene, CO	Low to bright light	No
English Ivy	Formaldehyde, Fecal particles	Bright, indirect light	No
Gerbera Daisy	Benzene, Trichloroethylene	Bright, direct light	Yes

Pothos

Also called marble queen pothos or devil’s ivy, this plant is practically unkillable and incredibly good at cleaning the air. It absorbs common household VOCs and is so effective that companies like Neoplants are enhancing it to work as a natural air filter.

You only need to water it every week or so, making it perfect for forgetful plant owners. Just keep it out of reach if you have pets—this one isn’t pet-friendly.

Peace

The peace lily is a beautiful, flowering plant with soft white blooms. It pulls toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and even carbon monoxide from the air.

It does well in lower light, but needs consistent watering to keep those blooms perky. While it’s a great air-cleaner, it’s toxic to pets—so placement matters if you’ve got furry roommates.

Ivy

English ivy is a powerful air purifier according to NASA’s famous clean air study. It absorbs toxins and has been shown to reduce airborne mold and even some bacteria.

This plant does best in hanging baskets or climbing around windows. It’s a bit more delicate and also toxic to pets, so be cautious with placement.

Gerbera

This cheerful plant adds a pop of color while tackling toxins like benzene and trichloroethylene. These chemicals are often found in cleaning supplies and paints.

Gerbera daisies love the sun, so place them near a bright window. They need regular watering but are otherwise low-maintenance. Unlike many other houseplants on this list, they’re pet-safe, making them a great option for animal lovers.

Realistic

No, one or two houseplants won’t turn your living room into a rainforest-grade air purifier. But that doesn’t mean they’re not worth having. Houseplants add a touch of nature, calm your mood, and provide minor air-purifying benefits.

If you choose a few of the most effective varieties and place them throughout your home, you might just notice that your space feels fresher, more comfortable, and a little easier to breathe in. Plus, they look great.

So whether you want to detox your air, reduce allergens, or just make your space more vibrant, adding the right houseplants is a simple and affordable step in the right direction.

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