These Houseplants Are the Best for Cleaning the Air

Known for its glossy, leathery leaves and vining growth, English ivy ranks high on NASA's lists for removing all types of tested pollutants. This easy-care houseplant prefers bright indirect light, evenly moist soil and consistent temperatures. Keep it away from drafts and heating or air conditioning ducts.

The wide, glossy, deep-green leaves on peace lilies add rich accents to home and office décor, but it's the white "lilies" that inspire the name. These flowerlike hoods are actually modified leaves, known as bracts; the plant's true flower hides inside. More light leads to more flowers for these resilient staples, which target a variety of pollutants. Let the soil on peace lilies dry out slightly between watering.

With an attractive red edge to its long, pointed leaves, red-edged marginata has tall, canelike stems with tufts of spiky foliage atop. Also known as the dragon tree, the marginata does best in bright light with soil kept slightly dry. Marginatas are especially effective in removing common pollutants found in solvents common to oils, paints and plastics.

Tall, pointed, succulent leaves make snake plants one of the most easy-care, low-maintenance air cleaners on NASA's lists. Widely known by the name mother-in-law's tongue, this drought-tolerant plant has added benefits: It's one of the few plants that produce oxygen at night, and it can flourish in low-light situtations. Allow the soil to dry thoroughly between waterings. Snake plant excels at filtering out air pollutants common to household products and cleansers.

With a reputation for easy care and forgiveness, golden pothos is an ideal plant for beginners. It's glossy, heart-shaped leaves include gold, cream or yellow marbling, and the vines grow thick and fast with a minimum of attention. It does well in low light, but more light enhances the golden leaf colors. Golden pothos does particularly well against pollutants from common household and industrial solvents and cleansers.

Even a single houseplant can make a difference in your home's indoor air quality. Just one efficient 6- to 8-inch-diameter plant can clean the air of a 10-foot-square room. By varying the size and locations of your houseplants, you can affect air quality throughout your home — without recreating jungle-themed decor. Optimize the effect of these natural air purifiers through these considerations...

• Placement: Proximity matters. The area closest to cleansing plants will be most affected, so place these natural purifiers throughout your home accordingly.
• Plant health: Plants operate at top levels of air-cleansing efficiency when they're at peak health. Follow best practices for indoor plant care, and make the most of your greenery. Well-aerated roots are especially important to cleaning air, so avoid overwatering.
  
• Plant size: Air cleansing occurs through natural process that happen in plant leaves and roots. The larger the leaf surface and root system, the greater the impact on air pollutants.