Natural and Eco-Friendly Air Filters!

Bring the “outdoors” inside and also improve the air quality in your home at the same time. Winter seems to trap most people inside, which makes it easier for us to get sick and gives rooms that “constantly lived in feeling” that you don’t get when you can leave the windows wide open for those warm summer breezes. Luckily, we don’t have to put up with that same old indoor air all winter.

NASA found that “houseplants can purify and revitalize air in our homes and offices, protecting us from the negative effects of such common toxins as ammonia, formaldehyde, and benzene."

Having plants in the home in high dust areas also helps reduce incidences of asthma and allergies. They do this by acting as natural filters; their leaves absorb the toxins in the air and produce a healthier quality of air for us in exchange.

It is recommended to have your plants located in rooms where there is the highest amount of potential contaminants in the air. Rooms with a high number of electronics, such as TV rooms, and rooms where lots of chemicals are used, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and art workshops grant the highest benefit from having plants.

The best plants for air filtering have large leaves. Here’s a quick “Top 10” list.

1. The Feston Rose Plant
2. Devil's Ivy
3. Phalaenopsis
4. English ivy
5. Parlor Ivy
6. African Violets
7. Christmas Cactus
8. Yellow Goddess
9. Garlic Vine
10. Peace Lily

For a more complete list, as well as information on whether the plants are edible or poisonous for ourselves or our pets, please check out this List of Air Filtering Plants

Offices are also great locations for plants, especially those with little or no natural light. Remember to store any plants in an out of the way location to prevent water and dirt spills on sensitive electronics or paperwork.


For offices, bathrooms, or places with no natural lighting, Snake plants are a hearty and durable choice. They adapt quickly, with a wide range of temperature, and are happy to grow in the dark where most plants might wither.


The aforementioned NASA study also recommends a 6 inch plant for every 100 sq feet of interior. The better maintained the plant; the more effectively it will work. So make sure to research your plant’s requirements before purchasing.

One method I’ve found useful is to type out a care schedule for each plant, like how often to water, as well as when to re-pot or add extra nutrients, and use clear tape to fix this to the pot. Make sure to cover the entire note with tape so that any water spillage won’t ruin the writing. That way, you never need to look up the information again and everything you need is right with the plant itself.