In the late 1980s, NASA partnered with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America to test whether common houseplants could scrub the air inside sealed spacecraft. The resulting NASA Clean Air Study put a now-famous list of leafy plants on every plant lover’s radar. Here are 20 of those plants, with an honest look at what they can (and can’t) do for your home, plus a quick care note for each.
Key takeaways
- These plants featured in NASA’s Clean Air Study
- Real-world air-cleaning is modest — but they boost humidity & mood
- Most are easy, low-light tolerant houseplants
- Some are toxic to pets (noted per plant)
- More plants = more benefit
Before we dig in, one honest caveat. The NASA study was run in tiny sealed chambers, not real living rooms. To match those results in an average home, you’d need a forest’s worth of plants — researchers have estimated 10 or more per square meter. So don’t ditch your air purifier. The real wins are gentler: a touch more humidity, a calmer mood, and a greener space that simply feels better to live in. For the full picture on keeping any of these thriving, see our plant & flower care guide.
The low-light champions
If your home leans dim — north-facing windows, a shady apartment, an office cubicle — these are the plants that won’t sulk. They’re forgiving, slow to complain, and ideal for beginners. For more options in this category, browse our roundup of low-light houseplants.
Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
The snake plant is nearly indestructible, tolerating low light, irregular watering, and general neglect. It’s one of the few houseplants that releases oxygen at night, making it a popular bedroom pick. Note that it is mildly toxic to cats and dogs if chewed. See our full snake plant care guide for repotting and propagation tips.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Glossy, architectural, and famously drought-proof, the ZZ plant stores water in thick rhizomes so it shrugs off missed waterings. It handles low light beautifully but grows faster in bright, indirect spots. All parts are toxic to pets and people if ingested, so keep it out of reach of curious nibblers.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Often called devil’s ivy because it’s so hard to kill, pothos trails or climbs with cheerful heart-shaped leaves. Let the top inch of soil dry between waterings and it will thrive in almost any light. The sap is toxic to cats and dogs, so hang it high or trail it out of reach.
Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
The heartleaf philodendron is a fast, friendly trailing vine that tolerates lower light than most. Water when the top of the soil feels dry and pinch back stems to keep it bushy. Like pothos, it contains calcium oxalates and is toxic to pets if chewed.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
Prized for its patterned, often silver-streaked foliage, the Chinese evergreen is a true low-light survivor. Keep it warm, away from cold drafts, and water only when the top inch dries out. It’s mildly toxic to cats and dogs, so site it thoughtfully in pet homes.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
The peace lily rewards low-to-medium light with elegant white blooms and dramatically droops when thirsty — a handy built-in reminder to water. It also appreciates a humid bathroom or a regular misting. It is toxic to cats and dogs, so place it carefully; our peace lily care guide covers blooming and watering in depth.
Dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
With its slim, red-edged leaves on bare stems, the dragon tree adds height and structure to a room while tolerating moderate-to-low light. Let the soil dry partway down before watering, and use filtered water if you notice brown leaf tips, as it’s sensitive to fluoride. It is toxic to cats and dogs.
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
This succulent does double duty: it featured in the NASA study and its gel is a classic soother for minor burns. Give it bright light and water sparingly — only once the soil is fully dry — to avoid rot. The leaves are mildly toxic to cats and dogs if eaten.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
One of the easiest plants to grow and share, the spider plant sends out arching leaves and baby plantlets you can snip and root. It adapts to most light levels and forgives the occasional dry spell. Best of all, it’s non-toxic and pet-safe, making it a worry-free choice.
The leafy purifiers and humidity boosters
These plants tend to have more foliage, more surface area, and a knack for nudging up the moisture in your air. Many prefer brighter, indirect light, and several pull double duty as statement pieces.
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
The feathery areca palm is one of the best natural humidifiers on this list, releasing moisture that softens dry indoor air. Give it bright, indirect light and keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy. It’s non-toxic and safe around cats and dogs.
Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
A NASA standout, the bamboo palm thrives in lower light than most palms and adds a lush, tropical feel to corners. Keep it evenly moist and mist occasionally to discourage spider mites. It’s pet-safe and non-toxic, a bonus for households with animals.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
This classic fern is a humidity lover that actively raises moisture in the air around it. It wants consistently damp soil, indirect light, and a humid spot like a bathroom; let it dry out and the fronds crisp fast. The good news for pet owners: it’s non-toxic.
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
With broad, glossy leaves, the rubber plant makes a bold statement and grows into a small indoor tree over time. Give it bright, indirect light and let the top inch of soil dry between waterings. Its milky sap is toxic to pets and can irritate skin, so handle with care.
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English ivy was noted in the NASA study and trails gracefully from shelves or hanging baskets. It likes moderate light and consistently moist soil, and good airflow helps prevent spider mites. It is toxic to cats and dogs, so keep trailing vines out of nibbling range.
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
The weeping fig is a graceful indoor tree with small, shiny leaves, though it’s known for dropping them when stressed or moved. Settle it in a bright, stable spot, avoid drafts, and water when the top of the soil dries. The sap is toxic to pets and a skin irritant.
Devil’s Ivy & Heartleaf relatives
Several trailing aroids beyond pothos and philodendron — including silver pothos and marble queen varieties — share the same easygoing nature and air-friendly reputation. They want bright, indirect light and a let-it-dry watering rhythm. As a group, they’re toxic to pets, so treat them like their better-known cousins.
The flowering air-fresheners
Not every NASA plant is all-green. A few flowering species made the list and bring color along with their leafy benefits. These tend to be shorter-lived indoors or seasonal, but they’re rewarding while they last.
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Bright, cheerful gerbera daisies featured in the NASA study and bring bold color to a sunny windowsill. They need plenty of direct light, well-draining soil, and water at the base to keep the crown dry and rot-free. They’re non-toxic and safe around pets.
Florist’s Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
The pot mum was one of the top performers in the NASA study, though it’s usually treated as a temporary, seasonal bloomer indoors. Give it bright light and steady moisture while it flowers, then move it outdoors or compost it once blooms fade. Be aware it’s toxic to cats and dogs.
Flamingo Flower (Anthurium andraeanum)
The anthurium produces waxy, heart-shaped red spathes almost year-round in the right conditions. It wants bright, indirect light, high humidity, and soil that stays lightly moist but never waterlogged. Like its aroid relatives, it’s toxic to pets if chewed.
Kimberly Queen Fern (Nephrolepis obliterata)
A tidier, more upright cousin of the Boston fern, the Kimberly queen handles average household humidity better and sheds fewer fronds. Keep its soil evenly moist and give it bright, indirect light. It’s non-toxic and pet-safe, rounding out our list on a friendly note.
Whichever of these you choose, remember the honest truth: a single plant won’t transform your indoor air quality on its own. But fill a room with a few of them and you’ll gain a little humidity, a lot of greenery, and the genuine mood lift that comes from tending living things. Start with one easy pick, learn its rhythm, and grow your collection from there.
Frequently asked questions
Do air-purifying plants actually clean the air in my home?
Only modestly. The NASA study was conducted in small sealed chambers, and real homes are far larger and constantly exchanging air. You’d need a great many plants to measurably reduce pollutants, so plants should complement — not replace — ventilation and an air purifier. The more realistic benefits are added humidity and improved wellbeing.
How many plants do I need to make a difference?
Estimates from researchers suggest roughly 10 or more plants per square meter to approach the study’s results — impractical for most rooms. A more sensible goal is grouping several plants in the spaces where you spend the most time, like a bedroom or home office, for humidity and a mood boost.
Which of these plants are safe for cats and dogs?
The pet-safe options on this list include the spider plant, areca palm, bamboo palm, Boston fern, Kimberly queen fern, and gerbera daisy. Many popular picks — pothos, philodendron, peace lily, snake plant, ZZ plant, dracaena, and English ivy — are toxic if chewed, so place those out of reach.
What are the best air-purifying plants for low light?
Snake plant, ZZ plant, pothos, philodendron, Chinese evergreen, peace lily, and dracaena all tolerate dim conditions well. For a deeper list, see our guide to low-light houseplants.
Do these plants release oxygen at night?
Most plants release oxygen during the day and a small amount of carbon dioxide at night. A few, including the snake plant and aloe vera, use a process called CAM that lets them take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen overnight, which is why they’re often recommended for bedrooms.