List of The Best Indoor Air Purifying Plants

13 December 2025

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Bring life into your space with the best indoor air-purifying plants — low-maintenance options that fit any room, plus choices that are safe for cats and kids.

Shop low-maintenance indoor plants: indoor plants for delivery at The Sill.

Table of Contents

Top 7 Best Indoor Air Purifying Plants

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria) — The Easiest Air Purifier

If you want a plant that cleans the air without asking for attention, the Snake Plant is one of the best indoor air purifying plants you can buy.

Why it’s great:

Filters formaldehyde, benzene, and nitrogen oxides
Purifies even at night
Very hard to kill — ideal for busy or new plant owners

Care:
Low to medium light, very little water, thrives in almost any room.

Pet Safety: ❌ Toxic if chewed by cats or dogs.
(If you need safe alternatives, keep reading.)

2. Spider Plant — Best Pet-Safe Air Purifying Plant

If you want indoor air purifying plants safe for cats, the Spider Plant is your #1 choice.

Why it’s great:

Removes carbon monoxide and formaldehyde
Completely non-toxic for pets
Very easy to grow and produces baby plantlets

Care:
Bright, indirect light; lightly moist soil.

3. Peace Lily — Elegant & Powerful Air Cleaner

Known for its glossy leaves and white blooms, the Peace Lily is one of the strongest air detoxifiers.

Why it’s great:

Removes benzene, ammonia, trichloroethylene
Improves indoor humidity
Thrives in low light

Care:
Low–medium light, weekly watering.

Pet Safety: ❌ Toxic to cats and dogs.

4. Aloe Vera — Air Purifier + Healing Benefits

Aloe is more than a skincare plant — it’s also excellent at absorbing benzene and formaldehyde.

Why it’s great:

Low maintenance
Ideal for sunny windows
Helps filter chemicals from paints and cleaners

Care:
Bright light, very little water.

5. Areca Palm — Natural Humidifier

This tropical palm improves air quality and adds moisture to dry rooms.

Why it’s great:

Cleans carbon monoxide and toluene
Gentle, soft leaves perfect for home décor
Boosts humidity naturally

Care:
Bright, indirect light; keep soil slightly moist.

6. Boston Fern — Best for Dry Homes

If your air feels dry in winter, Boston Ferns release moisture while filtering pollutants.

Why it’s great:

Removes formaldehyde
Great for bathrooms or kitchens
Helps reduce airborne dust

Care:
Indirect light, high humidity, consistent moisture.

7. Rubber Plant — High-impact Toxin Absorber

Rubber Plants absorb indoor chemicals quickly and grow into beautiful statement pieces.

Why it’s great:

Strong at removing formaldehyde
Stunning deep-green leaves
Good for living rooms or offices

Care:
Bright, indirect light; moderate watering.

Advantages of Indoor Air Purifying Plants

Indoor air purifying plants offer numerous advantages that go beyond just improving air quality. Explore their full range of benefits here: indoor-plants-benefits.

• Cleaner indoor air (naturally)

Air-purifying plants help reduce common indoor pollutants and make your space feel fresher without machines or sprays.

• Better humidity balance

Many popular indoor plants release moisture, which can help reduce dryness in winter and make the air more comfortable.

Stress Reduction and Mental Well-being

Indoor greenery is shown to support a more relaxed mood and a more inviting home atmosphere.

• Low-maintenance options available

If you choose the right plants — like Snake Plant or ZZ Plant — you get cleaner air with almost no upkeep.

• Great for décor

Large leaves, natural textures, and structured shapes instantly upgrade any room style.

Disadvantages of Indoor Air Purifying Plants

• Some plants aren’t safe for pets or children

Certain houseplants can irritate cats, dogs, or young kids if they chew or touch the leaves. If you have pets or little ones, choose air-purifying plants that are labeled pet- and kid-safe.

• Requires basic maintenance

Even low-care plants need occasional watering, trimming, and correct placement.

• Possible allergies

A small number of people may react to pollen or plant sap.

• Overwatering risks

Too much water can lead to fungus or gnats — but this is easy to prevent with proper drainage.

Environmental Control Limitations

Light and Temperature Sensitivity: Many indoor plants have specific light and temperature requirements. Rooms that are too dark, too cold, or too warm might not be suitable for certain plants, which can affect growth or even cause plant death. For tips on plants that thrive in low-light conditions, check out our guide on Top 10 Indoor Plants That Need Zero Sunlight.

In summary, while indoor air purifying plants offer numerous benefits, there are also several disadvantages to consider, including maintenance demands, potential health risks, and space constraints. Weighing these factors against the benefits can help determine if adding indoor plants is the right choice for your space.

spider plant

🌱 Low-Maintenance Options Among the Best Indoor Air Purifying Plants

If you want plants that clean the air without a lot of care, choose these:

✔ Snake Plant

✔ Spider Plant

✔ Aloe Vera

✔ Chinese Evergreen

✔ ZZ Plant (not pet-safe but extremely low maintenance)

These plants tolerate inconsistent watering, low light, and temperature changes — ideal for busy households.

Best Indoor Air Purifying Plants Safe for Cats

Pet owners must be careful — many common air purifying plants are toxic to cats.

Here are the top safe options:

Spider Plant (best choice)
Areca Palm
Parlor Palm
Bamboo Palm
Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia)
Boston Fern

These plants clean indoor air without posing a risk to curious pets.

Plant Name	Key Benefits	Pet & Child Safety	Care Level	Light Requirements
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)	Filters formaldehyde, benzene, nitrogen oxides; purifies even at night	❌ Toxic	Low	Low–Medium
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum)	Removes carbon monoxide and formaldehyde; produces baby plantlets	✔ Safe	Low	Bright, indirect
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)	Removes benzene, ammonia, trichloroethylene; boosts humidity	❌ Toxic	Medium	Low–Medium
Aloe Vera	Filters benzene and formaldehyde; healing benefits	✔ Safe	Low	Bright
Areca Palm	Removes carbon monoxide and toluene; natural humidifier	✔ Safe	Medium	Bright, indirect
Boston Fern	Removes formaldehyde; adds moisture; reduces dust	✔ Safe	Medium	Indirect, high humidity
Rubber Plant	Strongly removes formaldehyde; statement décor	❌ Toxic	Medium	Bright, indirect

Conclusion: The Best Indoor Air Purifying Plants for Your Space

Choosing the best indoor air purifying plants depends on your home, lifestyle, and whether you have pets. For low-maintenance care, the Snake Plant, Spider Plant, and Aloe Vera are excellent options. For cat-safe households, Spider Plants and Palms are the best picks. And for low-light rooms, Peace Lilies and Chinese Evergreens perform very well.

Adding even a few of these plants will make your home feel fresher, calmer, and more vibrant — naturally.