10 NASA Recognized Air-Purifying Plants

With lockdown and quarantine still in effect around most of the world, it’s getting harder and harder to rely on the great outdoors for a breath of fresh air. If you find yourself unable to leave the house, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy some good ol’ oxygen from mother nature.

Here are 10 indoor plants that NASA recognizes and recommends for air purification. 

1. Peace Lily

A popular indoor plant under the Araceae plant family. It grows indoors in the shade or under artificial light. It requires fairly infrequent watering and is more commonly known as Spath or closet plant. 

2. English Ivy

It’s one of the most popular vine plants in Europe. It is a species of flowering plant in the family Araliaceae, native to most of Europe and Western Asia. It is an indoor plant that requires shade or artificial light and less frequent watering. Common names are common ivy, European ivy, or just simply ivy.

3. Snake Plant

Dracaena trifasciata is one of the hardiest and most perfect indoor plants. It does not require bright sunlight or frequent watering. It was found to be one of the most effective air purifier plants you can have.

4. Money Plant

Renowned for its ability to remove chemicals and other pollutants from the air. However, despite the benefit of its high purification rate, this plant is toxic to cats, dogs, and small children, if its leaves are ingested.

5. Aloe vera

A succulent plant species of the genus aloe, categorized under the plant family Asphodelaceae. It is one of the most amazing plants and is beneficial for a multitude of problems. It has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times.

6. Boston fern

A species of genus Nephrolepis in the family nephrolepidaceae, native to humid forests and swamps. It can grow indoors under the shade and artificial light. It requires fairly frequent watering.

7. Spider Plant

The airplane plant falls in the Asparagaceae plant family, native to Southern Africa. It is easy to care for, elegant, fast-growing and a popular houseplant. It can grow under the shade and artificial light. It requires less frequent watering, but make sure to water it thoroughly when the top one inch is dried. 

8. Chinese Evergreen

One of the most common household plants and for good reason. This plant emits a high oxygen content while purifying indoor spaces of harmful chemicals.

9. Rubber plant

Rubber figs are grown as easy-care houseplants, they also improve indoor air quality, according to studies conducted by NASA. Their large leaves can absorb airborne chemicals and break them down, rendering them harmless. 

10. Orchids

An ever-popular indoor potted plant and adapt to different types of environments, which is one of the reasons they are popular and so easy to maintain. Except for areas with extreme hot or cold weather, orchids practically grow everywhere in the world. 

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Happy growing!