Cleaning Home Inside Air Using Houseplants

We all know they do it, not only while we are home, but during the day while we are at work.

Up to now, though, we never knew quite how – or even how well – living plants filtered air. Even scientists weren’t sure, though they suspected it had a lot to do with photosynthesis, which is the way a plant breathes.

Like so many other things in life, it was one of those “leave it to wonder” things that seem almost magical, like the water that boils when we leave for a minute, or an invasion of ants into our kitchens overnight.

What’s Really in Your Indoor Air?

Indoor air isn’t as clean as it seems. It’s often filled with volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—pollutants that can disrupt your breathing, affect your sleep, reduce productivity, and even cause long-term health issues.

What Are VOCs?

VOCs are microscopic airborne particles released by many everyday materials. While some carry strong odors, others are completely odorless—but still harmful. These particulates can come from anything, including:

• New furniture and carpets

• Paints and finishes

• Cleaning supplies and air fresheners

• Cosmetics and personal care items

• Dry-cleaned clothes

• Soft plastics and rubber

• Treated water and certain food additives

Shockingly, even clothing, flooring, and mattresses can “breathe” out harmful VOCs over time in a process called outgassing—similar to inanimate objects exhaling.

Why Should You Be Concerned?

VOCs have been linked to:

• Lung disorders

• Liver and kidney damage

• Certain cancers

• Developmental delays

Even more concerning: Ultrafine VOC particles can enter the brain by passing through thin membranes in your nasal cavity, bypassing your body’s natural defenses.

Some of the worst offenders include aerosols, formaldehyde-treated particleboard, and stain-resistant fabrics—all of which are common in modern homes.

The Best of the Best: Top VOC-Fighting Plants

Since the 1980s, scientists have known about plants’ remarkable ability to breathe in polluted air and exhale clean, purified oxygen. Through testing in sealed-room environments, they found clear evidence that certain plants can remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air, both indoors and outdoors.

Meet the VOC Assassins

More recently, scientists have pinpointed which plants are most effective at eliminating a broad range of VOCs, and even which ones target specific chemicals.

One standout is the bromeliad, says researcher and chemist Vadoud Niri of the State University of New York (Oswego). These vibrant plants—cousins to orchids and mosses—not only look beautiful but are also powerful air purifiers.

A single bromeliad can remove about 80% of six common VOCs found in indoor air.

Examples of Bromeliads

• Tillandsia (Air Plants): Can grow up to five feet across

• Spider-like in appearance

• Thrive without soil (or in pots if preferred)

• Flowers in shades of peach to deep fuchsia

These “VOC assassins” make an excellent addition to bedrooms, bathrooms, and home offices for both visual appeal and cleaner air.

Other Champs in the Plant World

During a presentation at the American Chemical Society’s 252nd National Meeting in Philadelphia, researcher Vadoud Niri shared results from testing five different houseplants:

• Bromeliad

• Caribbean Tree Cactus

• Dracaena

• Jade Plant

• Spider Plant

These plants were placed together in a sealed container about the size of a car’s gas tank. Unlike earlier studies that tested one plant against one type of VOC at a time, Niri challenged them with a realistic mix of VOCs—the kind commonly found in rooms filled with modern-day items and materials.

What Did the Results Show?

• Dracaena stood out in removing acetone (found in nail polish remover and household cleaners).

• Spider Plant acted quickly against a range of VOCs, but lacked long-lasting cleaning power.

• Bromeliad remained the top performer overall, removing up to 80% of six major VOCs.

• However, none of the plants tested could effectively remove dichloromethane and trichloromethane, chemicals found in paint strippers, carpet adhesives, and some cleaners.

This study confirms that while no single plant can remove every toxin, combining several types can create a more effective indoor air-cleaning team.

Niri and associates plan to continue their experiments on various other plants and will no doubt share their findings with the rest of us.

Why Plants?

Once odors enter the air, you can’t get rid of them. You can’t vacuum them out. You can’t even get them out with ordinary air filtration devices priced in the $50-200 range, because the level of filtration has to be so microscopic that it gets expensive.

The best you and I can hope for is to let VOCs (particulates, remember?) settle to the surface over time, where they accumulate with dust, etc., and can be wiped up. Carefully.