When you think about improving your home’s indoor air quality, your first thoughts might be filters, purifiers, or ventilation. But nature has its own way of cleaning the air—and it comes in the form of houseplants.
In addition to adding life and color to your space, certain indoor plants are known to help remove airborne toxins, increase oxygen, and support overall air freshness. While they aren’t a substitute for a well-maintained HVAC system, they’re a beautiful, natural complement to your home comfort strategy.
At Four Seasons Air Specialists, we’ve been helping homeowners in White Bear Lake breathe easier since 1974. Here’s a list of the best indoor plants for purifying the air—plus tips to keep them healthy and effective.
🌿 Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Also called “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue,” this hardy plant is almost impossible to kill and perfect for beginners.
✅ Air-cleansing benefits:
Removes formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and toluene. Unlike most plants, it also releases oxygen at night—making it great for bedrooms.
🪴 Care:
Low to bright indirect light, infrequent watering (every 2–3 weeks).
🌿 Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
With its graceful green and white striped leaves, the spider plant is both decorative and functional.
✅ Air-cleansing benefits:
Targets carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and xylene.
🪴 Care:
Thrives in indirect light and prefers moist (but not soggy) soil. It also produces “baby” spider plants you can replant!
🌿 Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Known for its elegant white blooms, the Peace Lily is a low-maintenance option with high air-purifying power.
✅ Air-cleansing benefits:
Filters formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
🪴 Care:
Prefers low to medium light and should be watered weekly. Keep out of reach of pets, as it’s mildly toxic if ingested.
🌿 Aloe Vera
This succulent isn’t just great for burns—it’s also great for your air.
✅ Air-cleansing benefits:
Helps remove formaldehyde and benzene, often found in cleaning products and paints.
🪴 Care:
Needs bright light and only occasional watering. Great for sunny kitchen windowsills.
🌿 Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Also known as the Reed Palm, this tropical plant brings a touch of the outdoors inside.
✅ Air-cleansing benefits:
Filters benzene and formaldehyde, and adds humidity to dry indoor air.
🪴 Care:
Prefers bright, indirect light and consistent moisture.
🌿 Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
With its thick, glossy leaves, the Rubber Plant is a stylish addition to any room.
✅ Air-cleansing benefits:
Removes formaldehyde and other airborne toxins.
🪴 Care:
Needs medium to bright indirect light and moderate watering. Be cautious with pets—it can be mildly toxic.
🌿 Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
This lush, feathery fern is a natural humidifier and excellent air filter.
✅ Air-cleansing benefits:
Removes formaldehyde and adds moisture to dry rooms—especially helpful in winter.
🪴 Care:
Prefers high humidity, indirect light, and consistently moist soil.
🌿 Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Also called “Devil’s Ivy,” pothos is a fast-growing vine that’s nearly impossible to mess up.
✅ Air-cleansing benefits:
Cleans out formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, benzene, and more.
🪴 Care:
Thrives in a variety of lighting conditions and doesn’t require frequent watering.
Where to Place Air-Purifying Plants in Your Home
- To get the most benefit from indoor plants:
- Place them in frequently used areas like living rooms, bedrooms, and offices
- Use multiple small plants rather than relying on one large plant
- Position near HVAC vents or return registers (but not directly in airflow) to complement air circulation
Plants + HVAC: A Perfect Pair
While plants help improve air quality, they work best when your HVAC system is clean, maintained, and operating efficiently. Combine both to get the best results:
✅ Change filters regularly
✅ Schedule seasonal HVAC tune-ups
✅ Consider adding a whole-home air purifier or humidifier
✅ Use plants to naturally support your air quality efforts
Breathe Easier with Four Seasons Air Specialists
Whether you’re improving your air quality with greenery or looking to upgrade your HVAC system, we’re here to help. Since 1974, Four Seasons Air Specialists has been the trusted name for heating, cooling, and indoor comfort solutions across White Bear Lake and the Twin Cities.
📞 Have questions about indoor air quality? Schedule a consultation today at: 651.426.5254
