10 Best Air Purifying House Plants 2022 | UK Interior Designer Reviewed

1. Verify That It Can Absorb Common Household Toxins Such As Xylene and Benzene
2. Select a Plant That Is Adaptable to the Conditions That You Can Provide
3. If You Have Pets, Choose Leafy Greens That Are Safe for Them, Such As Spider Plants, Areca and Bamboo Palms.

First on the list, check which toxins each specific plant species absorbs. Many will be able to fight off common household toxins such as xylene (often found in paint or cigarette smoke), benzene (found in furniture wax, paints, varnish and carpeting), formaldehyde (often seen in glues, paints detergents, floor lacquers and certain moulded plastics), trichloroethylene (commonly used in cleaning products) and toulene (paints).

If you have any wood-burning stoves, tumble dryers or gas stoves, it might also be worth looking at plants that remove toxins in carbon monoxide. Other plants protect the air from toxins found in ammonia – which can enter the atmosphere if you have cat litter boxes or use glass or window cleaning products. 

Alongside your new green leafy purifier, why not consider an actual air purifier for even cleaner air?

One of the first things to think about when it comes to conditions a plant needs is light. If you have a sunshine-flooded, south-facing flat that receives streams of direct sunlight, you shouldn't have too much of a problem. 

For people living in small apartments that only get sun in a couple of rooms, you need to choose your plants a little more carefully. If in doubt, always choose plants that can thrive in low-lit environments. A good rule of thumb is to go for plants that originate from subtropical climates. These have learnt to cope in conditions sheltered from the sun by taller trees and canopies, so will do well indoors without much direct sun.

Some air-purifying plants, such as the Elephant Ear, require extremely precise conditions to flourish. They need a decent amount of light, the perfect amount of humidity and need to be misted regularly – but only a little – the leaves cannot be wet! You also need to ensure that they have protection from pests and wipe their leaves regularly.

If you can't provide this type of heavy maintenance, stick to an easier plant such as Pothos. Nicknamed Devil's Ivy, this plant has earned its name through its hardy ability to withstand almost any conditions. Overwatering, underwatering, near pitch-black lighting conditions – and it still manages to thrive! Pothos is a perfect choice for people who don't have much spare time.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) also recommends the following easy care houseplants, though no plants will tolerate a site of complete darkness like a windowless room, as they need daylight to produce food for themselves: Sanseviera (will tolerate some drought, hapin the sunsun or part shade, grow in low humidity and need well-drained compost).

Spathiphyllum (tolerates bright light through to full shade, happy in average room temperatures, and tolerant of lower relative humidity) and Philodendron (Tolerant of lower relative humidity grows well in shade or brighter light, happy on average room temperatures and tolerant if under-watered occasionally).

Plants look wonderful in bathrooms and kitchens. They brighten up the room by adding a bit of colour to a generally white-based theme. That said, if you plan on placing your plant here, you need to make sure it can withstand humid environments.

Species such as Calathea, Air Plants and Monsteras are perfect for steamy bathrooms, as do Boston Fern, as they love humid conditions and are one of the best for absorbing moisture. Snake Plants are also a good choice as they are exceptionally hardy and can thrive in any level of humidity. Due to the regular steam in the bathroom, you shouldn't need to mist them either! 

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One essential point to remember is that not all plants are safe for animals. Cats, in particular, seem to enjoy pawing at the soil or trying to climb plants with large leaves. So if you have any pets, make sure the plant you are buying is non-toxic and safe for them to investigate.

That, unfortunately, rules out many of the uber-exotic looking greens like Alocasia or Fig Leaf, but there is still a huge range of leafy greens to choose from that are 100% safe. Some species that are pet-friendly are Spider Plants, Areca Palms, Bamboo Palms and Boston Ferns.

Check out these non-toxic candles to get your space smelling good and looking cosy.

For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:

1. Best for beginners - Devil's Ivy, Bryncir Garden Centre
2. Best for purifying the air - Aloe vera, The GardnersDream Store
3. Best for big, open spaces - Madagascar Dragon, Garden Market Place
4. Best for reducing mould levels - Ivy Climbing Plant, The Bakker Store 
5. Best for keeping in the bedroom - Mother in Laws Tongue, Botanicly 

For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of air-purifying plants available and understand how our ranking was determined.

This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.

We all know that plants are good for us. As our science lessons taught us, they keep our air clean by recycling carbon dioxide into oxygen. That's why we often have a higher sense of wellbeing, clarity and focus when we're around plants – our oxygen levels have been topped up. But air-purifying plants do one better.

NASA did a study in 1989, which proved that certain plants are able to reduce toxins in the air like formaldehyde and benzene. This is especially important in this day and age when we dress our houses in chemical-laden paints and treated vinyl floors, as well as cleaning with highly toxic products.

By placing even just a few air-purifying plants in each room, you can detoxify the space and improve the air quality. This benefits our mental health, concentration levels, productivity, quality of sleep and can even help you recover from illnesses quicker. Why wouldn't you take in a couple of our green-leafed friends?!

While it is difficult to quantify the exact number of plants required to purify indoor air, we recommend at least two healthy plants for every 100 square feet (9.3 square metres) of space. The larger and leafier the plant, the better it is at purifying more air. 

Yes. Through photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. But the amount of oxygen it can release depends heavily on environmental factors, mainly the amount of light it receives. When plants do not enough light to photosynthesise, they start absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide instead.

Written and researched by Roxy Pratley

Our ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.

We partner with specialists across various fields to proof-read our buying guides to deliver accurate and reliable information. Our specialists do not endorse any products that we recommend.