2. Peace Lily
I often give a peace lily (or spathiphyllum sp.) as a housewarming gift and now I’m glad I do. It seems the fragrant, white-flowering plant packs a major air-cleaning punch to whatever indoor setting it graces—banishing several indoor pollutants, gases, and solvents like trichloroethylene, benzene, ammonia, and formaldehyde. Also, it’s a hearty plant that needs infrequent watering and shady surrounds.
3. Dracaena
The dracaena (or ponytail plant, as I’ve referred to it for years) comes in various shapes and sizes, with the topknot of long, thin leaves lined red, tan, or creamy white. The common house and office plant is a wonderful filter for xylene, formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. However, don’t bring it into a pet-friendly home, as it’s toxic if nibbled on by cats and dogs.
4. Aloe Vera
Not only is the aloe plant wonderful to have on hand in wound- or burn-healing emergencies. The gel within each leaf contains a mixture of amino acids, vitamins, and enzymes with anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and soothing benefits. While the plant itself filters formaldehyde from the air.
5. Garden Mum
The colorful garden mum (or chrysanthemum morifolium) is available in almost every pastel shade under the rainbow. In addition to being inexpensive and readily available for purchase at almost any garden store or flower market, potted mums are air-purifying superheroes. The plant was found to removing multiple toxins from indoor airspace—including formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, and xylene—which are common components of synthetic building materials, carpeting, and furniture upholstery from household items like manufactured wood, adhesives, carpeting, cleaners, and upholstery.
