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Natural Born Filters

Top Houseplants for clean air.

by Stephanie MacDonald

Everyone knows that a house full of lush green plants looks homey, but what about a space station full of ferns and palms? NASA tested popular plants for their ability to create oxygen and filter common toxins like trichloroethylene (found in varnishes, paints, and adhesives), formaldehyde (present in carpets, furniture, and foam insulation), and benzene (found in plastics, synthetic fibres, and detergents) to purify the air astronauts breathe. Here on Earth, we like to breathe purified air, too. As we begin shutting our windows in earnest against the autumn chill, we plan to invite some special green friends into our homes to help us breathe easier. Here’s our list of the top air scrubbers:

Top row, from left
1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
2. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
3. Nephytis

Second row
4. Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
5. Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
6. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
7. Janet Craig Dracaena (Dracaena deremensis)
8. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaaonema modestum)

Third row
9. Variegated Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana”)
10. Dracaena Warneckii (Dracaena deremensis “Warneckii”)
11. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
12. Potted Mum (Chrysanthemum)
13. Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana”)

More Fresh Air Options
Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Umbrella plant (Schefflera arboricola)
Heart-leaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens)
Tree Philodendron (Philodendron selloum)
Elephant Ear Philodendron (Philodendron domesticum)
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Pothos Vine (Epipremnum aureus)
Aloe Vera

• The NASA studies recommend having 15 to 18 good-sized houseplants in an 1,800-square-foot home (or space station).