20 Houseplants That Can Clear Toxins From Your Home Bringing a bit of nature into your home does more than brighten the atmosphere. Introducing houseplants into various rooms in the house can help reduce the chance of getting seasonal sicknesses (such as the common cold), remove airborne contaminants (volatile organic compounds [or VOCs]), reduce the chance of headaches, lift your mood, decrease your blood pressure, reduce allergies, improve sleep and much more.The 20 plants listed below are specifically known for their air purifying properties. And while an open window may feel like all the fresh air you need, did you know that everything from toilet paper to common household cleaners can contain chemicals and release toxins like formaldehyde? Or that VOCs like benzene can be released into the air by everything from the paint on your walls, to the printed material found in your home?So why not breathe a bit easier and enjoy the beauty of a new houseplant at the same time?(All plants listed will clear CO2 and may clear more VOCs than noted.)

1. Golden pothos (Scindapsus aures): Clears formaldehyde and other VOCs.2. Ficus alii (Ficus maeleilandii alii): Good general air purifier.3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Clears benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene.4. Lady Palm (Rhapis Excelsa): Good general air purifier.aom air purifier price(image: Eric in SF/Wikimedia Commons)delonghi air purifier ac755. Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’): Clears formaldehyde.holmes aer1 mini tower air purifier6. Aloe: Clears formaldehyde and benzene.7. Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis): Clears formaldehyde.8. Dwarf/Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii): Clears formaldehyde and xylene.9. Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema Crispum ‘Deborah’): Clears air pollutants and toxins.

(image: Forest & Kim Starr/Wikimedia Commons)10. Chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium): Clears benzene.Gerber daisy (Gerbera jamesonii): Clears trichloroethylene and benzene.Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata): Clears xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde.English ivy (Hedera helix): Clears airborne fecal-matter particles.Azalea (Rhododendron simsii): Clears formaldehyde.Heart leaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium): Clears formaldehyde and many other air pollutants.Warneck dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘Warneckii’): Clears pollutants such as those associated with varnishes and oils.Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata Bostoniensis): Clears formaldehyde.Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii): Clears benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde.Peace lily (Spathiphyllum): Clears formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, toluene and xylene.SOURCESMasters in HealthcareScience DailyMother Nature NewsSustainable Baby StepsRELATED STORIESFour Out of 10 Americans Are Breathing Dirty Air6 Fruits and Vegetables You Can Easily Grow IndoorsGrow Your Own Food Year-Round with DIY Solar Greenhouse

In today's society, going green and living better has become the norm. From people exercising more frequently and eating better to using all natural products in the home, these lifestyle changes seem to be here to stay. Breathing in fresh air is another important aspect in healthy living, as fresh air helps remove pollution from a home or office, offering those who breathe in a chance to expose their lungs to pure, filtered air. You may not think about air purification when you decide to send a bouquet of flowers or house plants to a friend or coworker, however there are actually a variety of plants and flowers that have the power to purify. Aloe plants are a great option as they are both beautiful and have a purpose. Mother Nature Network reports aloe plants, or aloe vera, are succulents that help clear the air of formaldehyde and benzene, byproducts of certain cleaners, paints and other household items. It may be smart to keep an aloe plant nearby if you are painting certain rooms in your home or are doing some major cleaning.

Aside from helping to rid the air of chemicals, aloe also has a healing effect inside its branches. The gel inside works to heal cuts and soothe burns. At this time, Teleflora does not sell aloe plants but you may enjoy these succulents... Spider plant (aka Airplane Plant) Don't be afraid of the name - spider plants do not attract the eight-legged creatures, but rather got their title due to their flowy, long branches that resemble the legs of spiders. These lovely green plants also have tiny white flowers and are great for cleaning the air in a home or an office space. These plants work to eliminate benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene - the latter of which is a solvent used in rubber and leather. Spider plants may be the perfect option to keep on your desk at work, or to gift to one of your coworkers because the plant is hearty and doesn't require a lot of sunlight to thrive. This means you won't need to worry about watering or caring for it if you go on vacation or while you're home on the weekends.

At this time, Teleflora does not sell spider plants but you may enjoy these five mixed plants in a ceramic container. You might assume that the best air-purifying plants are all in the greenery family, but that is actually not the case. In fact, colorful and lively gerbera daisies pack quite the air-purifying punch. These blossoms effectively rid the air of trichloroethylene, a chemical commonly found in clothes that have been dry cleaned. The flowers also work to filter out benzene that is commonly spread in the air by inks. Because of its super powers, this type of plant may be best reserved for the office, in a bedroom or the laundry room to have its abilities used to full potential. The gorgeous blooming azalea is a flowering shrub that has the capability to neutralize formaldehyde that can enter the home or office from foam insulation or new construction involving plywood. These plants are also beneficial, as they prefer to stay in cooler temperatures between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, but do require some sunlight to thrive.

Other air-purifying plants include the English ivy, which works to reduce airborne fecal-matter particles and warneck dracaena that helps to combat pollutants from varnishes and oils. Chinese evergreen is easy to care for and removes a variety of pollutants in the air, while bamboo palm removes benzene and trichloroethylene. To reap the most benefits, homeowners are encouraged to keep one large plant in the home for every 129 square feet, while between 15 and 18 plants are recommended to reap air purifying qualities. Health benefits of having house or office plants Keeping house plants around your home or office boasts other real benefits as well, Bayer Advanced reports. Plants have been found to help people breathe easier due to the increase in oxygen levels they provide, as well as helping to keep necessary moisture in the home. The latter helps keep dry skin, colds, sore throats and dry coughs at bay, according to recent findings from the Agricultural University of Norway.