By Alexa Hackfort, Reader's Digest
Not only do beautiful houseplants add freshness and pops of color to your home, they can also help you breathe easier. That's because some plants remove airborne pollutants that can cause a variety of health problems, like headaches, dizziness and eye irritation. Just place one of these plants every 100 square feet in your home to maximize their air-cleaning benefits.
The popular peace lily is one of the best plants for purifying air—it removes formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, ammonia and more. Plus, it's easy to care for; just keep in a dark corner and water once a week. Keep in mind that this plant is mildly toxic, so wash your hands after handling to prevent irritation.
Perfect for hanging baskets, this climbing plant is a great way to infuse freshness into your decor. Place this plant in a spot with direct sunlight, but be sure to keep it at a constant temperature. It requires plenty of water and well-drained soil. Not only does English ivy remove benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene, it may also help prevent airborne mold from proliferating in your home.
The snake plant requires very little care, making it a great plant for first-time gardeners. It can withstand a wide range of temperatures and light, meaning you can put it almost anywhere. Just be sure to keep the soil moist without overwatering. Snake plants are excellent at removing airborne pollutants like formaldehyde, nitrogen oxide, benzene and xylene.
Who knew those pretty fall favorites also removed harmful toxins from the air? These plants need plenty of direct sunlight and moist soil (check the water levels every other day!) to produce those beautiful blooms, which help remove formaldehyde, xylene, ammonia, benzene, toluene and trichloroethylene from the air.
One of the most popular houseplants, devil's ivy is a low-maintenance, hardy plant that flourishes in peaty soil with plenty of moisture. Keep it near a window to provide indirect sunlight, and remove tendrils if they grow too long.
Great for beginner gardeners, dracaena comes in several varieties that range in size and markings. Some varieties even produce small white flowers when mature. These plants are easy to care for—keep the soil damp and provide indirect sunlight. They help remove formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, benzene and trichloroethylene from the air. Try these healthy houseplant hacks for those that lack a green thumb.
Great for the corner of a room, the bamboo palm is a sturdy plant that grows tall. It removes a range of harmful pollutants, like formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide and chloroform. Keep this plant in part sun, make sure the soil is moist and mist the plant to prevent spider mites.
These beautiful blooms are more than just for show – they help cleanse the air of formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. They need plenty of sun and flourish in temperatures above 75 degrees. Be sure to not overwater—just keep the soil moist. These colorful flowers make great centerpieces for your next patio party.
Group of plants on table
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| © Dorling Kindersley: Rob Streeter/Getty Images |
Not only do beautiful houseplants add freshness and pops of color to your home, they can also help you breathe easier. That's because some plants remove airborne pollutants that can cause a variety of health problems, like headaches, dizziness and eye irritation. Just place one of these plants every 100 square feet in your home to maximize their air-cleaning benefits.
Peace Lily
 |
| © Georgina198/Getty Images |
The popular peace lily is one of the best plants for purifying air—it removes formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, ammonia and more. Plus, it's easy to care for; just keep in a dark corner and water once a week. Keep in mind that this plant is mildly toxic, so wash your hands after handling to prevent irritation.
English Ivy
 |
| © raw/Getty Images |
Perfect for hanging baskets, this climbing plant is a great way to infuse freshness into your decor. Place this plant in a spot with direct sunlight, but be sure to keep it at a constant temperature. It requires plenty of water and well-drained soil. Not only does English ivy remove benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene, it may also help prevent airborne mold from proliferating in your home.
Snake Plant
 |
| © Adél Békefi/Getty Images |
The snake plant requires very little care, making it a great plant for first-time gardeners. It can withstand a wide range of temperatures and light, meaning you can put it almost anywhere. Just be sure to keep the soil moist without overwatering. Snake plants are excellent at removing airborne pollutants like formaldehyde, nitrogen oxide, benzene and xylene.
Chrysanthemum
 |
| © Maya Kruchankova/Shutterstock |
Who knew those pretty fall favorites also removed harmful toxins from the air? These plants need plenty of direct sunlight and moist soil (check the water levels every other day!) to produce those beautiful blooms, which help remove formaldehyde, xylene, ammonia, benzene, toluene and trichloroethylene from the air.
Devil's Ivy
 |
| © Abdecoral/Getty Images |
One of the most popular houseplants, devil's ivy is a low-maintenance, hardy plant that flourishes in peaty soil with plenty of moisture. Keep it near a window to provide indirect sunlight, and remove tendrils if they grow too long.
Dracaena
 |
| © Jessica Lia/Getty Images |
Great for beginner gardeners, dracaena comes in several varieties that range in size and markings. Some varieties even produce small white flowers when mature. These plants are easy to care for—keep the soil damp and provide indirect sunlight. They help remove formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, benzene and trichloroethylene from the air. Try these healthy houseplant hacks for those that lack a green thumb.
Bamboo Palm
 |
| © GCShutter/Getty Images |
Great for the corner of a room, the bamboo palm is a sturdy plant that grows tall. It removes a range of harmful pollutants, like formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide and chloroform. Keep this plant in part sun, make sure the soil is moist and mist the plant to prevent spider mites.
Gerbera Daisy
 |
| © Jewelzz/Shutterstock |
These beautiful blooms are more than just for show – they help cleanse the air of formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. They need plenty of sun and flourish in temperatures above 75 degrees. Be sure to not overwater—just keep the soil moist. These colorful flowers make great centerpieces for your next patio party.
