Are you looking for air purifying plants that can thrive in low light conditions? It’s not easy to find houseplants that can tolerate low light conditions. The good thing is there are houseplants that will do well in low light and is effective in cleaning the air.
Our list of air purifying plants is based on a study by NASA, where they used low-light houseplants to improve indoor air by removing common pollutants such as trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, and formaldehyde.
Below you will find the best air purifying indoor plants for clean air that you can grow in your home and office to remove toxins from the air you breathe.
These houseplants are low light indoor plants that can help combat sick building syndrome.
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11 Best Air Purifying Indoor Plants for Clean Air (Low Light plants)
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) is an effective air purifying houseplant that can tolerate low light. It will clean the air by removing air pollutants such as trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, and formaldehyde.
In a NASA research study, Snake Plant is effective in removing trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, and formaldehyde. In fact, in the NASA study, Snake Plant was 13.4% effective in removing trichloroethylene (TCE) and 52.6% effective in removing benzene.
Known for pointy, sword-like leaves, Snake Plant is a very popular houseplant that is almost indestructible. It is a tough houseplant that is easy to grow– perfect for beginners.
Plus, if you want to bring good luck and good fortune to your home. Have a snake plant or two! In Feng Shui practice, snake plants are believed to be lucky houseplants.
| Name | Snake Plant |
| Botanical Name | Sansevieria trifasciata |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Bright, filtered Light but can tolerate low light |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | Tolerates dry air well |
| Air Purifying Plant | Removes trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, and formaldehyde |
2. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) is an air purifying houseplant that does well in low light conditions. It will clean the air by removing air pollutants such as formaldehyde.
In a NASA research study, Heartleaf Philodendron is effective in removing formaldehyde.
Heartleaf Philodendron is a very popular houseplant because it is so a low-maintenance, fast-growing, easy houseplant– truly the beginner plant!
It can tolerate a wide range of conditions and will thrive almost anywhere indoors. Your Heartleaf Philodendron will look great in a hanging basket or on a bookshelf with beautiful cascading heart-shaped leaves.
| Name | Heartleaf Philodendron |
| Botanical Name | Philodendron hederaceum |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Bright, Filtered Light. Can Tolerate Low Light. |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
| Air Purifying Plant | Removes formaldehyde |
3. Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata previously known as Dracaena reflexa)
Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata previously known as Dracaena reflexa) is an air purifying indoor tree that can tolerate low light conditions. It will clean the air by removing air common pollutants.
In a NASA research study, Dragon Tree is effective in removing trichloroethylene (TCE), Formaldehyde, and Benzene. In fact, in the NASA study, Dragon Tree was effective in removing 79% of benzene from the air!
Dragon Tree is one of the few indoor trees that can tolerate low light conditions so if you are looking for an indoor tree that can tolerate low light and is an effective air purifying plant, then your best bet is the Dragon Tree.
With its graceful, ribbon-like leaves, it can make a statement in your indoor space. It is also known to be a lucky houseplant that brings good luck and prosperity.
| Name | Dragon Tree |
| Botanical Name | Dracaena marginata previously known as Dracaena reflexa |
| Daytime Temperature | 65 to 75F (18-24C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 55-65F (13-18C) |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light. Can Tolerate Low Light. |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | Moderate Humidity |
| Air Purifying Plant | Removes trichloroethylene (TCE), Formaldehyde, and Benzene. |
4. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is an air purifying houseplant that can tolerate low light conditions. It will clean the air by removing air pollutants.
In a NASA research study, Pothos is effective in removing trichloroethylene (TCE), Formaldehyde, and Benzene. In fact, in the NASA study, Pothos was effective in removing 73% of benzene from the air!
Pothos is a low-maintenance houseplant that is impossible to kill, which is great for beginners. Plus it has beautiful, shiny heart-shaped leaves that look great dangling from a hanging basket or perched on a high bookshelf.
| Name | Pothos |
| Botanical Name | Epipremnum aureum |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Bright, Filtered Light or Artificial Light. Can Tolerate Low Light. |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
| Air Purifying Plant | Removes trichloroethylene (TCE), Formaldehyde, and Benzene. |
5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is an air purifying houseplant that will thrive in low light conditions. It will clean the air by removing air pollutants such as formaldehyde.
Spider Plant is an extremely easy-to-grow, hard-to-kill plant, that is perfect for beginners. It is a versatile houseplant that does well as a hanging houseplant with its cascading foliage or perched on a desk or bookshelf.
| Name | Spider Plant |
| Botanical Name | Chlorophytum comosum |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Medium Light |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | Moderate Humidity |
| Air Purifying Plant | Removes formaldehyde |
6. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) is one of the best air purifying houseplants on this list. As an added bonus, it is an easy-to-grow plant that can thrive even in low light conditions. It will clean the air by removing air pollutants such as acetone, benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE), and formaldehyde.
In a NASA research study, Peace Lily is effective in removing trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, and formaldehyde. In fact, in the NASA study, Peace Lily was 79.5% effective in removing benzene from the air and 23% effective in removing trichloroethylene (TCE) from the air.
Peace Lilies are beautiful flowering houseplants that go in full bloom in the spring. Peace lilies are easy-to-grow houseplants that can tolerate some neglect.
Even if you forget to water your Peace Lily and it begins to wilt, you can revive it the next time you water it.
| Name | Peace Lily |
| Botanical Name | Spathiphyllum spp. |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Medium Light. Can tolerate low light. |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
| Air Purifying Plant | Removes acetone, benzene, and formaldehyde |
7. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is an air purifying that is effective in removing benzene, and formaldehyde from the air. In fact, during a NASA research study, Parlor Palm effectively removed formaldehyde and Benzene.
Parlor Palm is a very popular indoor palm- popular since the Victoria era. It is a beautiful palm that can tolerate low-light conditions. It is a slow-growing indoor palm that can grow to 4 feet tall.
| Name | Parlor Palm |
| Botanical Name | Chamaedorea seifrizii |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light. Can Tolerate Low Light. |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | Moderate Humidity |
| Toxic to Pets and Humans | Non-Toxic |
| Air Purifying Plant | Removes Formaldehyde, and Benzene. |
8. Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana”)
Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana”) is an air purifying houseplant that effectively removes trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, and formaldehyde from the air.
In fact, the NASA research study showed that Corn Plant effectively removed 70% of formaldehyde in the air, 21.4% of benzene in the air and 12.5% of trichloroethylene in the air.
Corn Plant is an easy-to-grow houseplant that can tolerate a wide range of conditions. It will live in low light or full sun conditions. Corn Plant is a very popular houseplant with attractive glossy leaves reminiscent of corn leaves.
| Name | Corn Plant |
| Botanical Name | Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana” |
| Daytime Temperature | 65 to 75F (18-24C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 55-65F (13-18C) |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light. Can Tolerate Low Light. |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | Moderate Humidity |
| Toxic to Pets and Humans | Toxic |
| Air Purifying Plant | Removes trichloroethylene (TCE), Formaldehyde, and Benzene. |
9. Dracaena ‘Warneckei’ (Dracaena deremensis “Warneckei”)
Dracaena ‘Warneckei’ (Dracaena deremensis “Warneckei”) is an air purifying houseplant that is effective in removing air toxins such as trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, and formaldehyde.
In fact, the NASA research study showed that Dracaena ‘Warneckei’ effectively removed 50% of formaldehyde in the air, 52% of benzene in the air, and 10% of trichloroethylene in the air.
Dracaena ‘Warneckei’ is an easy to grow houseplant that can tolerate low light conditions. It is an attractive houseplant with glossy, graceful leaves.
| Name | Dracaena ‘Warneckei’ |
| Botanical Name | Dracaena deremensis “Warneckei” |
| Daytime Temperature | 65 to 75F (18-24C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 55-65F (13-18C) |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light. Can Tolerate Low Light. |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | Moderate Humidity |
| Toxic to Pets and Humans | Toxic |
| Air Purifying Plant | Removes trichloroethylene (TCE), Formaldehyde, and Benzene. |
10. Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’ (Dracaena deremensis “Janet Craig”)
Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’ (Dracaena deremensis “Janet Craig”) is an air purifying houseplant that can remove toxins that cause sick building syndromes. It can effectively remove trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, and formaldehyde.
In fact, a NASA study showed that Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’ effectively removed 77.6% of benzene in the air and 17.5% of trichloroethylene in the air.
Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’ is an easy to grow houseplant that can tolerate low light conditions.
| Name | Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’ |
| Botanical Name | Dracaena deremensis “Janet Craig” |
| Daytime Temperature | 65 to 75F (18-24C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 55-65F (13-18C) |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light. Can Tolerate Low Light. |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | Moderate Humidity |
| Toxic to Pets and Humans | Toxic |
| Air Purifying Plant | Removes trichloroethylene (TCE), Formaldehyde, and Benzene. |
11. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema species)
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema species) is an air purifying houseplant that effectively cleans the air by removing benzene, and formaldehyde. In fact, a NASA study showed that Chinese Evergreen effectively removed 47.6% of benzene from the air.
Chinese Evergreen are easy to grow houseplants. It is tolerant of low light conditions and can take some neglect. Do know that Chinese Evergreen is toxic to pets and humans so you need to keep it out of reach.
| Name | Chinese Evergreen |
| Botanical Name | Aglaonema species |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Medium Light. Can tolerate low light. |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | Medium Humidity |
| Toxic to Pets and Humans | Toxic |
| Air Purifying Plant | Removes benzene, and formaldehyde |
You May Also Be Interested In:
Popular Houseplants that are Toxic to Pets and Humans (Pictures)
Best Houseplants for Low Light Conditions (Infographic)
Best Houseplants for Bathrooms ( Pictures)
Best Houseplants for Beginners (Easy to Grow, Impossible to Kill Houseplants)
11 Best Air Purifying Houseplants
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