Plants are very often used in interior décor and we tend to think that’s only due to their beauty and to the fact that they’re green and so they make the space feel more fresh.But there’s another reason why plants were brought indoors in the first place: so they can purify the air.The air inside our homes is usually more polluted than the air outside. Trees and vegetation take care of the purifying process outdoors but we can also use them to improve the air quality indoors as well.The English Ivy was listed by NASA scientists as the best air-filtering houseplant. It’s very effective when it comes to absorbing toxins and it’s also very easy to grow as it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. This plant also allows you to display in numerous different ways, either as a hanging or a floor plant.This plant is one of the few air purifiers that flower so it’s also a great choice as a decorative feature. It’s a low maintenance plant and it does great in shade and cooler temperatures.

However, it is poisonous to pets so be careful with it if you have parrots or other pets that might be tempted to have a taste.Continuing on the same tone, let’s take a look at another low-maintenance houseplant which you’re most likely familiar with: the snake plant or Sansevieria trifasciata. It needs little light and water and it’s a great corner plant. The reason why this it’s a wonderful choice as an air purifier is that it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen during the night so by having it in your home along with a plant which does the same thing during the day you ensure a continuous cycle.This is a perfect plant for those of you who are beginners at this and are not used to taking care of indoor plants. It’s very resilient, it reproduces quickly and it also flowers. It’s one of the most common houseplants and also one of the best air purifiers, fighting pollutants such as benzene, carbon monoxide and xylene which is used in leather, rubber and printing.This is a plant you should have in your home if you don’t mind it growing to the ceiling height.

It grows best in sunlight so you should offer it a spot near the window. Although it grows tall, it’s relatively compact so it doesn’t require a lot of floor space.The aloe plant is commonly known for its healing properties but the plant is more resourceful than you think. It can also help clear the air of pollutants found in cleaning products and it has a simple system for showing you if the amount of harmful chemicals in the air becomes excessive: brown spots appear on the leaves.This plant gained its spot on the list for its ability to clear formaldehyde as well as carbon monoxide and benzene from the air. It grows easily in cool temperatures and needs little sunlight. It’s a hanging plant but it can also be trained to climb a trellis.Easy to grow and very graceful, this plant targets ammonia which is a major ingredients in cleaners, textiles and dyes. It’s an easy to grow plant and a tree-like species and it takes a while until it gets this characteristic shape but once that phase passes its beautiful leaves will become a permanent decoration for your home.

Perfect for the laundry room or the bedroom, this plant helps remove trichloroethylene( found in dry cleaning products) and benzene from the air. crc air intake cleaner msdsIt makes beautiful and colorful flowers but it needs plenty of sunlight so reserve a spot near a window.ionic pro turbo air purifier bed bath beyondAzalea is a beautiful flowering shrub which does well in cool areas and needs sunlight to survive. greenair air purifier and ionizerA good spot for it would be in the basement if you have windows there. It purifies the air from formaldehyde like most plants we’ve presented here.This plant has feather-like leaves and curved fronds and it’s considered one of the most efficient air purifiers.

However, it’s a little bit more difficult to care for because it requires constant moisture and humidity. Some studies show that this plant can remove mercury and arsenic from soil.This succulent produces beautiful flowers during the summer which can be white, pink or red and arranged in clusters. It needs lots of sunlight and it’s very efficient at filtering out benzene and chemicals produced by toluene. 10 Clean-Air Plants for Your Home Projects like installing new carpet and painting walls can release chemicals that pollute indoor air. Luckily, some houseplants moonlight as efficient purifiers. For the best results, put as many plants as you can care for in the rooms you use most, says environmental scientist Dr. Bill Wolverton. That means you'll want at least two plants (in 10- to 12-inch pots) per 100 square feet of space; if you're in the middle of major renovations, aim for more plants. One tip: Be sure not to overwater, as too much soil moisture can lead to mold growth.

Here are 10 smart options you can buy at your local nursery. To learn more, pick up Wolverton's new book, "Plants: Why You Can't Live Without Them" (Roli Books; $25).This hearty, climbing vine thrives in small spaces. It also fares well in rooms with few windows or little sunlight. How it Helps: Its dense foliage excels at absorbing formaldehyde—the most prevalent indoor pollutant, says Wolverton—which shows up in wood floorboard resins and synthetic carpet dyes.Among the few air purifiers that flower, the peace lily adapts well to low light but requires weekly watering and is poisonous to pets. How it Helps: This year-round bloomer rids the air of the VOC benzene, a carcinogen found in paints, furniture wax, and polishes. It also sucks up acetone, which is emitted by electronics, adhesives, and certain cleaners.An easy-to-grow, tree-like species, the lady palm may take a while to start shooting upward. But once it does, its fan-like patterned leaves will add charm to any spot.

How it Helps: Easy on the eyes, this plant targets ammonia, an enemy of the respiratory system and a major ingredient in cleaners, textiles, and dyes.First popularized during the Victorian era, the Boston fern features feather-like leaves and curved fronds that are well suited to indoor hanging baskets. It's considered one of the most efficient air purifiers, but it can prove a bit difficult to maintain because of its need for constant moisture and humidity. How it Helps: This fern works especially well in removing formaldehyde, which is found in some glues, as well as pressed wood products, including cabinetry, plywood paneling, and furniture. (Some studies also show it can remove toxic metals, such as mercury and arsenic, from soil.)Also known as mother-in-law's tongue, this sharp-leafed plant thrives in low light. At night it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen (a reversal of the process most plants undergo). Pot a couple and put them in your bedroom for a slight oxygen boost while you sleep.

How it Helps: In addition to helping lower carbon dioxide, the snake plant rids air of formaldehyde and benzene.This fast-growing vine has a reputation for flexibility. You can pot it with something to support it, plant it in a hanging basket, or train it to climb a trellis. Dark green leaves with golden streaks and marbling make it an eye-catching addition to a home or office. How it Helps: Like many other vines, it tackles formaldehyde, but golden pothos also targets carbon monoxide and benzene. Consider placing one in your mudroom or entryway, where car exhaust fumes heavy in formaldehyde are most likely to sneak indoors from the garage.Place in an area with abundant sunlight and this semiwoody succulent will produce pretty clusters of flat white, pink, or red flowers during the summer. How it Helps: The wax plant is a heavy hitter in filtering out benzene and chemicals produced by toluene, a liquid found in some waxes and adhesives, according to a University of Georgia study conducted last year.