It's no secret that today's world is full of chemicals and other toxins. Luckily, these pollutants don't have to put you and your family at risk. There are beautiful houseplants that act as natural filters for many of the most common airborne toxins in today's homes. The diverse list of plants below will brighten up your space and improve your indoor air quality at the same time. 

• Spider Plants
  Spider plants are popular houseplants due to their hardy nature and distinctive look, but they are also excellent for purifying the air in your home. These small leafy perennials naturally filter a variety of airborne chemicals, including formaldehyde, ammonia, and benzene. All of these substances are found in common household cleaners you almost certainly use around your home. 
  
  You can hang spider plants from ceiling hooks or keep them in pots lower to the ground. They are non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans, so they'll pose no threat to any of your family members. 
  
  
• Rubber Plants
  Rubber plants are well-known for being easy, low-maintenance houseplants for beginners. The large surface area of their springy, shiny leaves is perfect for drawing in plenty of carbon dioxide, leaving you with cleaner, fresher air in your home. 
  
  Rubber plants are easy to grow and require very little light to thrive. They grow very quickly and can easily grow to be several feet tall after just a few years. Give your plant plenty of vertical space to grow, and prune it frequently to keep it at a manageable height.
  
  
• Dracaena Plants
  With their tall, slender stems and brilliant green foliage, dracaena plants resemble small tropical trees. They also happen to be very good at filtering chemicals like toluene, benzene, and trichloroethylene. These chemicals are found in common household products like refrigerants, metal cleaners, paint thinners, and glue. 
  
  Dracaena plants require a moderate amount of bright indirect sunlight to grow well, but they can tolerate slightly darker conditions as well. Try placing one in your kitchen or near your garage to get them as close to the source of the contaminants as possible. 
  
  
• Broadleaf Lady Palms
  Broadleaf lady palms are one of the more unique-looking types of palm plants available. Our real estate agents rarely see them in the homes we represent, making them a great choice for those who want to stand out from the crowd. They are also able to filter ammonia from the air, making it much easier for you to use common cleaners without worrying about your family's health.
  
  
• Aloe Vera
  Aloe vera plants have long been prized for their soothing qualities. The jelly-like innards of this plant's sturdy leaves can be used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including burns and acne. It can also filter chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene from the air. 
  
  Aloe vera plants need around 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to stay healthy. Place yours in a window to easily meet those requirements. After that, all you need to do is water it every few weeks to keep it hydrated. 
  
  
• Areca Palms
  Areca palms are another type of exotic-looking palm plant with air purifying qualities. This variety filters several chemicals that are less commonly absorbed by similar plants, including toluene, acetone, and xylene. These substances are found in gasoline, nail varnish, and many cosmetics. 
  
  Areca palms are hardy and can easily grow as high as 12 feet. They need bright indirect sunlight and good drainage to stay healthy indoors. Choose the pot for yours carefully to avoid root rot, one of the most common problems with this type of plant. 
  
  
• English Ivy
  English Ivy is a modest yet refined-looking climbing vine that can easily thrive in indoor settings. In herbal medicine, it is known for its expectorant properties and is often used to improve lung health. Keeping a small pot of this ivy in your home may help you and your family to breathe more easily as well. 
  
  As a climbing vine, English Ivy will need slightly more support than your typical houseplant. Be sure to give it a small trellis to grow on and trim it regularly to keep it from getting out of control. 
  
  
• Peace Lilies
  Peace lilies are another common houseplant with air filtering abilities. These elegant white and green stalks are excellent at filtering airborne mold spores. Since mold is one of the most dangerous toxins around, this is extremely desirable. 
  
  Many people keep peace lilies in areas of their home with high humidity (like the bathroom) to capitalize on their mold-busting properties. Just be sure to keep your plants away from any pets in your home – peace lilies are toxic to dogs and cats. 

Before you invest in your new air-purifying plants, make sure you're in a home that suits your current and future needs. Our agents are here to help. Contact us today to take a closer look at any of our fine homes for sale and see if one of them might be the right choice for you.