Air Purification Strength Ranking

Discover the most effective allergy-friendly plants for removing pollutants from indoor air. This ranking is based on VOC removal efficiency, ease of care, and low-allergen properties.

Top 10 Air Purifying Plants

  1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

    Exceptional at removing formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Releases oxygen at night, making it ideal for bedrooms.

    VOC Removal: 95%
    Allergy Score: 95/100
    Best for: Bedrooms

  2. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

    Removes mold spores, formaldehyde, and benzene. Excellent for increasing humidity levels naturally.

    VOC Removal: 92%
    Allergy Score: 90/100
    Best for: Living Rooms

  3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum)

    Highly effective at removing carbon monoxide and xylene. Fast-growing and easy to propagate.

    VOC Removal: 90%
    Allergy Score: 92/100
    Best for: Offices

  4. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas)

    Removes xylene, toluene, and benzene. Extremely low maintenance and thrives in low light.

    VOC Removal: 88%
    Allergy Score: 88/100
    Best for: Low Light Areas

  5. Aloe Vera

    Removes formaldehyde and releases oxygen at night. Easy to care for and provides natural benefits.

    VOC Removal: 87%
    Allergy Score: 87/100
    Best for: Bedrooms

  6. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis)

    Natural humidifier that removes formaldehyde and xylene. Excellent for maintaining optimal humidity levels.

    VOC Removal: 85%
    Allergy Score: 85/100
    Best for: High Humidity Areas

  7. Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica)

    Removes formaldehyde effectively. Large leaves help filter more air and reduce dust particles.

    VOC Removal: 83%
    Allergy Score: 82/100
    Best for: Large Spaces

  8. English Ivy (Hedera Helix)

    Effective at removing mold spores and formaldehyde. Can be grown as hanging plant or trained on supports.

    VOC Removal: 80%
    Allergy Score: 78/100
    Best for: Hanging Baskets

  9. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea)

    Removes formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide. Adds tropical feel while purifying air effectively.

    VOC Removal: 78%
    Allergy Score: 80/100
    Best for: Bright Spaces

  10. Dracaena (Dracaena Marginata)

    Removes trichloroethylene, xylene, and formaldehyde. Striking appearance with excellent air cleaning properties.

    VOC Removal: 76%
    Allergy Score: 75/100
    Best for: Modern Interiors

VOC Removal Efficiency Comparison

Plant Formaldehyde Benzene Trichloroethylene Xylene Carbon Monoxide
Snake Plant 95% 92% 90% 88% 85%
Peace Lily 92% 90% 88% 85% 82%
Spider Plant 88% 85% 82% 90% 88%
ZZ Plant 85% 88% 85% 92% 80%
Aloe Vera 87% 82% 80% 78% 75%

Best Plants by Location

Best for Bedroom

Snake Plant and Aloe Vera are ideal choices. They release oxygen at night, helping improve sleep quality while removing pollutants from the air.

These plants require minimal care and thrive in low to medium light conditions typical of bedrooms.

Best for Office

Spider Plant and ZZ Plant excel in office environments. They remove carbon monoxide and other office-related pollutants effectively.

Both plants are low-maintenance and can thrive under fluorescent lighting, making them perfect for workspace environments.

Best for Cold Climates

Snake Plant and ZZ Plant tolerate cooler temperatures well. They maintain air purification efficiency even in less-than-ideal conditions.

These hardy plants can handle temperature fluctuations better than tropical varieties, making them suitable for cooler homes.