Jump directly to the content
AIR THIS

Ten houseplants to purify the air and inject colour into your home

NOT only do indoor houseplants add a pop of colour to your home, but they can also purify the air inside.

Nasa reported that some plants can remove up to 87% of toxins in air and water in just 24 hours.

Some of the best air purifying plants are also some of the easiest to keep alive
9
Some of the best air purifying plants are also some of the easiest to keep aliveCredit: Alamy

Plants act in the opposite way in which humans breathe.

While we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, plants release O2 and absorb CO2 removing harmful toxins and freshening the air.

These ten plants are some of the best for purifying the air and as a bonus for those of us who aren't blessed with green thumbs, they're super easy to look after.

English Ivy can help you get a better night's sleep
9
English Ivy can help you get a better night's sleepCredit: Amazon

is very common in the UK and is often used on the outside of houses climbing on a wall or trellis, though they can cause damage to brickwork.

READ MORE PLANT STORIES

These plants can reach impressive heights of 80 feet, grow quickly and need little care.

They're excellent for the bathroom as they absorb mould in the air.

But there is some suggestion it can also work wonders in the bedroom as they help with restlessness so you can get a deeper sleep.

Keep them in the sunlight and make sure the soil is slightly dry and it'll be your best friend.

FABULOUS BINGO: GET A £5 FREE BONUS WITH NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED

Monsteras can be toxic to children and pets
9
Monsteras can be toxic to children and petsCredit: Amazon

has grown in popularity online thanks to its aesthetically-pleasing leaves.

Also known as the Swiss Cheese plant, they're great for air purification and work great in the bathroom as they love indirect sunlight and humid environments.

However, be careful if you have pets or little ones as this plant can be toxic for them.

Peace Lilies can also be toxic when ingested, but great for soaking up mould
9
Peace Lilies can also be toxic when ingested, but great for soaking up mouldCredit: Amazon

are not only eye-catching for their tropical flowers but they also help soak up mould spores.

They prefer dry areas as it absorbs their own water and releases back into their surroundings.

However, like Monsteras these plants are poisonous to ingest so should be kept away from children and pets.

Indirect light is best to help their flowers blossom and they like their soil kept damp, not soggy.

Prayer plants open and close their leaves like hands in prayer
9
Prayer plants open and close their leaves like hands in prayerCredit: Amazon

are one of the most effective ways of removing carbon dioxide from your home.

Its scientific name is actually called Calathea, but the nickname comes from the way that the plants fold together at night like hands in prayer.

The plant is pretty happy go lucky when it comes to the amount of sunlight it gets, so you can pop it almost anywhere to elevate the space.

Snake plants are practically indestructible
9
Snake plants are practically indestructibleCredit: Amazon

are some of the easiest plants to keep alive, perfect for those of us who are terrible at keeping plants alive.

They will thrive in just about any setting and are basically indestructible.

They add a great addition to any corner of a room, and the best part is they release oxygen and add moisture into the air so are great for allergy sufferers.

There are even  that show they were able to remove formaldehyde and benzene from the air, two of the biggest indoor pollutants.

Yucca plants are originally found in the desert
9
Yucca plants are originally found in the desertCredit: Amazon

is great if you have a larger space to fill as they can grow incredibly tall.

Part of the succulent family, this plant can also help purify the air in your home, and because they prefer dryer conditions, you don't have to remember to water it all the time.

Rubber plants are also toxic if ingested so best to avoid around pets and children
9
Rubber plants are also toxic if ingested so best to avoid around pets and childrenCredit: Amazon

were, you guessed it, used to make rubber.

The rubber was made from the white latex on its bark, plus the leaves have a glossy, rubber-like appearance.

They love a medium level of light, so somewhere bright but not direct and can be watered once a week.

These also purify the air but are toxic when ingested so best to keep them out of reach from kids and pets.

There are many nicknames for the - Dumb cane, Mother-in-law’s tongue, and Leopard lily.

It is mildly toxic and can cause a temporary loss of speech if ingested (hence the name).

Overwatering this one can be a huge danger and they prefer indirect sunlight.

the injects a pop of colour to any room, the heart-shaped part may look like a flower but it isn't.

It is in fact a spathe to encourage insects for pollination of the spike (the real flower) in the middle.

It originates from rainforests in South America, so it doesn’t need a whole lot of light but they do grow best in bright, indirect sunlight.

It needs to be watered regularly, but its air-purifying qualities make it worthwhile.

Nasa found that some indoor plants can reduce toxins in the air by 87%
9
Nasa found that some indoor plants can reduce toxins in the air by 87%Credit: Amazon

Known by many names such as arrowhead vine, American evergreen, five fingers or nephthytisIf, the is popular with lazy gardeners.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

Read More on The Sun

It requires low light and infrequent watering so it’s extremely low maintenance.

The leaves resemble a spade-shape and look great in a hanging basket due to the vines that trail and climb.