February 18, 2010
Posted by admin
15 House Plants You Can Use As Air Purifiers
Here are 15 plants that could clean your air for just the price of a few drops of water each day.
First lets check some of the evidence behind the claim that plants can purify your household air:
1. NASA Research
A NASA research document came to the conclusion that “house plants can purify and rejuvenate air within our houses and workplaces, safeguarding us all from any side effects connected with prevalent toxins such as formaldehyde, ammonia and also benzene.”
Here are the results of the NASA research study:
| Common name | Scientific name | Score | |
| 1 | Areca palm | Chrysalidocarpus lutescens | 8.5 |
| 2 | Lady palm | Rhapis excelsa | 8.5 |
| 3 | Bamboo palm | Chamaedorea seifrizii | 8.4 |
| 4 | Rubber plant | Ficus robusta | 8.0 |
| 5 | Dracaena “Janet Craig” | Dracaena deremensis “Janet Craig” | 7.8 |
| 6 | English ivy | Hedera helix | 7.8 |
| 7 | Dwarf date palm | Phoenix roebelinii | 7.8 |
| 8 | Ficus Alii | Ficus macleilandii “Alii” | 7.7 |
| 9 | Boston fern | Nephrolepis exalta “Bostoniensis” | 7.5 |
| 10 | Peace lily | Spathiphyllum sp. | 7.5 |
2. Interior Plants: Their Influence on Airborne Microbes inside Energy-efficient Buildings
In another study made in 1996, a bedroom with no plants had 50% more colonies of airborne microbes than a room which contained houseplants.
3. Foliage Plants For Indoor Removal of The Primary Combustion Gases Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Dioxide
During a laboratory experiment in 1985, Dr. Wolverton PHD compared the removal of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide using a sealed chamber of spider plants.
4. Dr Wolverton – Formaldehyde removal experiment
In another laboratory study by Dr. Wolverton PHD, he compared a number of house plants at removing formaldehyde from a sealed chamber. Formaldehyde is a common household toxin that is released from a variety of household items.
Removal of Formaldehyde from Sealed Chambers for Plants Grown in Potting Soil
| CommonName | Botanical Name | Removal Rate*(Micrograms/Hour) |
| Boston fern | Nephrolepis exaltata “Bostoniensis” | 1863 |
| Dwarf date palm | Phoenix roebelenii | 1385 |
| Bamboo palm | Chamaedorea seifrizii | 1350 |
| Janet Craig | Dracaena deremensis “Janet Craig” | 1328 |
| English ivy | Hedera helix | 1120 |
| Weeping fig | Ficus benjamina | 940 |
| Peace lily | Spathiphyllum “Clevelandii” | 939 |
| Areca palm | Chrysalidocarpus lutescens | 938 |
| Corn plant | Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana” | 938 |
| Lady palm | Rhapis excelsa | 876 |
Source.5
With reference to the experiments of Dr Wolverton and the NASA experiments, I have compiled a list of 15 house plants that provide the greatest level of air purification.
1. Areca Palm Tree
The Areca palm tree is the very best air purifying plant according to the ratings from NASA’s research and has the 8th highest removal rate for Formaldehyde according to Dr Wolverton’s data. This house plant was referred to as “the most effective air humidifier” by MetaEfficient.com. The Areca has the ability to maintain your office or home moist throughout dry periods as well as continually removing chemical toxins from your air. In the course of the winter season, it’s so effective at putting moisture back in the air that you could switch off your electric humidifiers!
2. Lady Palm
This house plant – Lady palm (or Rhapis excelsa) achieved exactly the same rating as the Areca Palm tree in NASA’s research. This adaptable house plant, can be stored in dry or moist parts of the world ( between 20-100° Fahrenheit) and is particularly resistant to the majority sorts of plant insects.
The Lady Palm is not the most effective at removing Formaldehyde so if this is a concern then i would suggest you look at another plant.
3. Bamboo Palm
The bamboo palm was the third most powerful plant at removing formaldehyde from the air. It ranked third in the NASA experiment so is a good all rounder at keeping your room air clean. This house plant will grow best in a moist but not wet soil and in direct sunlight. However this palm will require lots of room to grow, so it might not be the best option if want this plant to sit on your desk.
9. Boston Fern
The Boston fern was the most effective plant at removing Formaldehyde and removed significantly more per hour than the rest of plants examined.
Studies have also shown that the Boston fern will also eliminate heavy metals, such as mercury and arsenic from the soil.
4. Rubber Plant
This rubber house plant (Ficus robusta) has been mentioned as one of the leading Twenty plants by Doctor. B.C. “Bill” Wolverton’s “50 Houseplants That Purify Your Home Or Office.” This rubber house plant provides moisture, eliminates bio effluents, takes away volatile organic compounds as well as suppresses air based microorganisms as soon as it’s put into a room
As time passes this rubber plant will become much more skilled at eliminating toxic compounds present in the air. Bacteria within the rubber plants leaves break up the toxins and also feast on them. The procedure subsequently emits clean air in to the surrounding environment. Since the plant grows, these microorganisms increase.
This increased number of bacteria assist the rubber house plant in becoming progressively more effective at extracting further toxic compounds from the air.
5. Janet Craig – Dracaena
The Dracaena (or Dracaena deremensis) places fifth on NASA’s ranking with a 7.8 score. According to data it can remove Formaldehyde, at a rate of 1,328 micrograms per hour. It also removes Xylene, at a rate of 154 micrograms per hour according to http://www.earthwitchery.com/pollution.html
Recommended Placement in Home: These are especially effective in newly carpeted or newly furnished rooms were formaldehyde levels are at the highest.
Tips to keep this plant healthy:
- Favours vibrant light, although not direct sunlight.
- Water completely through early spring through the winter season and allow the plant’s soil to dry out in between watering
6. English Ivy
If your air flow in your geographical area has got stagnant and dried out, English ivy (also known as Hedera helix) may be just the solution! WebMD.com talks about this effervescent house plant as “a solution for allergic reactions” observing that sixty percent of air based mold within the space was removed after just six hrs right after English ivy had been introduced.
People that have allergies, asthma, or even the desire to inhale cleaner, more fresh air might be wise to give this English ivy plant a shot!
7. Date Palm Tree
Although it does not position at the top of the purifying scale when compared to it’s three palm relatives, make no mistake: this Date palm house plant (also known as Phoenix roebelinii) remains an extremely efficient and stylish looking method to both cheer up the design of an area and reduce the content level of volatile organic compounds floating all over the air.
The Date house plant is very effective at getting rid of formaldehyde thus works great in combination with other purifier plants (has the second highest removal rate after the fern plant.)
8. Ficus Alii
This ficus alii (also known as the Ficus macleilandii) isn’t as strong in it’s pollutant-removing effectiveness as, say, a rubber plant, however it remains an excellent addition to any kind of office or home wherever clear air is missing. Although they aren’t terribly difficult to look after, PlantCareGuru.com alerts to us that hand protection ought to be used whilst dealing with the house plant for those who have latex allergic reactions.
10. Peace Lilly
The Peace Lily (also known as Spathiphyllum sp.) is a perfect air purifier plant for those who don’t have green fingers. Peace Lilies are often found in malls because they are so easy to grow.
If you scared you might kill your new house plant then I recommend you go for this one.
11. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera was proven to be a lot more effective at the elimination of formaldehyde at lesser concentrations when compared with Philodendrons. Aloe vera is likewise famous as being a healing plant acknowledged for it’s therapeutic qualities, giving it the majority of its nicknames.
The Aloe house plant was also used in the initial photography used for the Andrea plant air purifier – probably due to the plants purification properties.
12. Spider Plants
The spider plant was used by Dr Wolverton in his 1985 study that examined the plants removal of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. In a room with many spider plants the amount of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide dropped to near zero after only 24 hours.
13. Chrysanthemum
This particularly attractive house plant was shown to be effective at removing the VOC compound – benzene which has been known to cause cancer.
Many tobacco products contain high levels of benzene so it would be helpful to have one of these plants in a smoking household. However no house plant can ever negate the effects of tobacco smoke.
Remember to be careful with Chrysanthemum as it is poisonous when ingested or with prolonged skin exposure.
14. Heart leaf philodendron
The N.A.S.A. study showed that the Philodendron house plant was one of the best house plant for elimination formaldehyde from the surrounding air, especially when working with higher concentrations.
15. Snake Plants or Mother of Law Tongue
Snake house plants — these types of plants tend to be incredible growers and also extremely tough. They’re excellent at eliminating the majority of toxins plus they are quite happy to grow in areas where other plants may decline and perish ( say for example a hot window ledge). Also, they are great bathroom and darker area plants.
One Final Point:
Make sure to Maintain your house plants in a good condition and make sure you have enough of them. The NASA research advised that there should be a six inch plant for every 100 sq feet of interior living space
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46 Comments
February 24, 2010
Are all these dog and kid friendly in case they decide to take a nom of the plants?
February 24, 2010
I just wanted to know if any of these plants harm animals? I have two cats and a spider plant that i keep away from them because I was told to keep it away from them. If the spider plant is harmful,which plant is best for me?
February 24, 2010
Ummm… And what, then, do we do about the molds and bacterias that live and breed in the moist soil in the planters?
February 24, 2010
Plants
February 24, 2010
Excellent info…and plants you can see…ty
February 24, 2010
Are any of these plants, “Pet Friendly?”
February 24, 2010
I have read that Norfork Pines were amazing at such so I am surprised that it is not mentioned.
February 24, 2010
Hi there,
I am Leland Smith,
I was just wondering if marijuana plants would help purify the air. I don’t grow nor do I smoke this drug but it has caught my curiousity. Please let me know.
February 24, 2010
My question is, I have had almost all of these plants and never had a problem with them until I moved from California to Texas, they all died within about 6 months after moving. I did nothing different to them other than move them from one state to another, could that of had something to do with it or could it of been the home I moved into. My mother has lived in the same house for at least 17 years and has never been able to keep a plant alive and she just as myself has never had aproblem with our plants. (Green Thumb as some may say)
February 24, 2010
This information would be much more helpful if you also included which plants are poisonous for children, dogs, and cats. If you make revisions, please consider adding that info. Thanks!
February 24, 2010
Thank you for this report. I had heard having plants indoors was a good way to remove toxins but did not know which ones.
February 24, 2010
Thank you, I love this kind of an educational post. Glad to know I have some of the plants that you mention in my home & now have a better idea of the remaining ones I should buy.
February 24, 2010
Thank you dr.oz! In my country they re all easy to find. Im so glad to know bout this.thank you
February 24, 2010
Awesome. Thanks for the info!
February 24, 2010
I found this list of plants to be very helpful. I love house plants and have many allready. Its good to know which ones are helping my home and to purify my air.. Thank you
Laurie
February 24, 2010
What indoor plants are deadly if eating?
February 24, 2010
I watch your show every day. It is like taking a college coarse. I learn so much.
Thank you so much for all the wonderful information.
I like all the non medical uses you give for different health problems.
Thank you for the 15 best house plants. I have some. Love plants so will
get more THANKS FOR A WONDERFUL TV PROGRAM
February 24, 2010
Glad to hear this. My husband says it is a jungle here. You are in my corner.
February 24, 2010
Glad to hear. we have a jungle here.
February 24, 2010
WOW! This was great information!
I was so glad to SEE Pictures of each plant!
I think I’m all set already!
Thank you!
February 24, 2010
Dr Oz… I think your Awesome..This information on plants and the effect they have on us in the way of cleaning our air, is wonderful. Just one concern tho, what about cats & dogs ? How are these plants around animals…
Thanks so Much..
Love your show
Marilyn G…
February 24, 2010
I am excited to hear about these plant air purifiers. I will tell all my friends and family! Thanks for the information
February 24, 2010
Excellente initiative. Si vous avez d’autres articles du genre, je suis preneur
February 24, 2010
Amazing article, thanks!
February 24, 2010
Wow,……..i’d have to have house full of plants. I believe all this. Maybe a few,that i would want.
February 24, 2010
everyone of these plants I have had or still have… I will now replace the ones I no longer have… I LOVE PLANTS
February 24, 2010
I have had houseplants since I was a young girl. Then I’ve collected, grown and gave many away over the years. Still, several rooms of my home appear to be an indoor garden. I was pleased to read that my unknowing choices are actually very healthy ones, as I have at least one of the plants on your list in every room and all but one room has several plants listed! Thank you for sharing this information.
February 24, 2010
Isn’t the last plant a Mother-in-Law (not OF law) plant? : )
February 24, 2010
Of the plants listed above, the ones that area poisonous to pets are:
english ivy
dracaena
ferns
peace lily
rubber plant
http://www.familypetservices.com/health_infoallshno_plant.asp
February 24, 2010
For those worried about spider plants and cats…..my aunt has always kept a spider plant specifically for her cats to eat during the winter when they cannot get to grass here in Michigan. I, too, have cats that eat my spider plants. Neither of us have ever had a problem as a result.
February 24, 2010
This is such great information! Thanks so much!!!
February 25, 2010
Am so happy to have info on houseplants, have very large aloe and others in my bedroom bay window. Now I know that they are good for me!!
February 25, 2010
From what I could find online, these are the plants that are safe for children and pets:
Areca palm
Lady palm
Boston fern
http://www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/ce/king/PoisPlant/SAFE-COM.htm
http://plantsarethestrangestpeople.blogspot.com/2009/04/houseplant-toxicity-week-appendix-2.html
February 25, 2010
this so good i have four out of the plant and i was thinking of getting an air purifier now i see i don’t need it after all
February 25, 2010
I’ve been raising plants for over 25 years. Spider plants are great they’re pet friendly, easy to maintain, easy to start new plants (no rooting needed, just gently break spider from plant and put into soil, water, and it will root and grow).
Mother in law tongue is a tough plant to kill. I’ve had both cats and dogs and no issues with any plant.
Ivy is nice and easy too…again I have not had problems with my cats and dogs.
February 26, 2010
thank you so much for this page. i was so happy when i saw this at DR. OZ’s page at twitter.com
again, thanks so much, coz i dont get to go out that much now a days and im so in need of fresh air. so i guess buying the right type of plant for the house is now on top of my list.
regards,
AR
p.s.
dont forget to follow me at twitter.com
http://twitter.com/iamachirruper
February 26, 2010
thanks, very helpfull. I pretty well know about the dog and cat stuff with plants, how about bunnys? we have two house bunnys and I would hate to poision them out of ignorence. they do there best to eat my plants now when leaves hit the floor or they droop enough for them to reach.
March 2, 2010
For Dorothy de la Rosa,
You said your plants “all died within about 6 months after moving.” ” My mother has lived in the same house for at least 17 years and has never been able to keep a plant alive and she just as myself has never had aproblem with our plants.”
It sounds very likely that your house is subject to Geopathic stress. This causes plants to die, but it’s also very harmful to humans so it’s important you get it checked out or move house. It is the main cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and if you sleep in a particularly bad place then your could get cancer.
I have had this problem in several houses I’ve lived in.
See this page for more information. http://www.rolfgordon.co.uk/
I bought a Raditech from the Dulwich Health Society and it works wonders at neutralising an otherwise stressed place.
March 7, 2010
If you going to test plants why not test one that are edible and we can clean the air and have an herb to eat to. james4341090@yahoo.com for more info
thanks james
March 7, 2010
Here one http://whatscookingamerica.net/EdibleFlowers/EdibleFlowersMain.htm
here another
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?navid=SEARCH&q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nal.usda.gov%2Ffnic%2Ffoodcomp%2Fsearch%2F&site=usda&Go_button.x=8&Go_button.y=9
March 7, 2010
Thanks for the links James.. i will work on getting a set of plants you can eat and also use a purifiers.
Great comment!
March 7, 2010
Nice job, too bad all the commenters are too lazy to do any additional research regarding pets, etc.. You can’t put everything in one article, but this is a good start.
May 3, 2010
Is it healthy to have plant in your room where you sleep. I have plants in my room where i spend night to sleep, three big palm, and a date palm, a Tamarind, and Royal Poincian *flamboyant tree*. sometimes i have problem to breath, or bad breath , i put door open of my room for more fresh air!
May 6, 2010
I sleep with 7 plants in my bedroom! I see no problem if the plants are health. It would also depend on what plants you have chosen.
July 2, 2010
A word of caution about the ‘spider plant’ They are not necessarily pet friendly. There are a few types out there that people refer to as “Spider Plant”. The spider plant actually produces a chemical that works similar to an opiate to a pet. In low doses this may not be a problem, but large doses or extended munching can cause problems.
With any plant accessible to your pets, check the SPCA website and/or consult a vet. Then, watch your pet to see if they leave it alone. I manage to keep some of these plants away from my pets through the use of red pepper sprinkled around the containers.
July 23, 2010
I have some kind of plants in my bedroom. i have 3 big palm’s in pot, but i dont know name, the seed come for spain. I don’t know if its wrong to have many plant in my bedroom! In lifingroom we have a Cycas revoluta and banana tree, i sleep in my room under 3 big palms, have in same pot a Tamarind tree. Have a Royal poinciana, and a canary date palm, and now i have coconut palm.
http://bit.ly/agAmY4
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