Low-Maintenance House Plants That Purify the Air

As the chill of winter sets in, why not bring a touch of greenery indoors? Houseplants not only brighten your space but also purify the air, making your home feel fresher and more inviting. Even better, there are plenty of low-maintenance plants that make caring for them a breeze! NASA recommends having 10–15 plants in your home for optimal air purification, so let’s dive into some of the best options to get you started.

These houseplants are perfect for beginners and seasoned plant parents alike. Plus, they’re stylish additions to any room—your home will thank you!

Icon Key for House Plants

Before we explore these green gems, here’s a quick guide to the icons used to describe them:

⚠️ Dangerous for Pets/Kids: Indicates if a plant is toxic to pets or humans if ingested or touched.
💧 Water Needs: How often you’ll need to water the plant (1 = low, 4 = high).
🌬️ Air Purification: Rates how effective the plant is at cleaning your air (1 = low, 5 = high).
☀️ Sunlight Requirements: Shows whether the plant thrives in full sun, shade, or somewhere in between.

English Ivy

☀️Sunlight: Partial sun to partial shade
💧Water: 1/4
🌬️Air Purification: 4/5
⚠️Dangerous for Pets/Kids: Yes

This classic vining plant is both beautiful and functional. English ivy loves bright but indirect light and needs infrequent watering—This means water the plant until water comes out of the bottom, but then wait until the soil is almost completely dry to water it again.

Bonus: It’s NASA’s top-rated air purifier and excels at removing formaldehyde from your home.

Rubber Plant

☀️Sunlight: Partial sun to partial shade
💧Water: 3/4
🌬️Air Purification: 4/5
⚠️Dangerous for Pets/Kids: Yes

Known for its glossy leaves, the rubber plant thrives in humid conditions. Mist its leaves between waterings to keep it happy, and avoid overwatering—it doesn’t like soggy roots! If its leaves turn yellow, it’s a sign to cut back on water.

Peace Lilly

☀️Sunlight: Full shade
💧Water: 2/4
🌬️Air Purification: 5/5
⚠️Dangerous for Pets/Kids: Yes

With its elegant white blooms, the peace lily is as stunning as it is effective at removing toxins from the air. Water weekly to keep its soil slightly damp but not soggy. Be careful with direct sunlight—it prefers darker corners of your home.

Aloe Plant

☀️Sunlight: Full sun
💧Water: 1/4
🌬️Air Purification: 2/5
⚠️Dangerous for Pets/Kids: No

Aloe isn’t just a pretty face—it’s also a natural healer! Its gel can soothe burns and cuts, making it a handy addition to any home. Place it in a sunny spot and water sparingly; this desert native prefers dry soil. This plant is great at clearing the air of pollutants caused by chemical cleaning products, and when the amount of harmful chemicals in the air becomes excessive, the plant's leaves will display brown spots.

Spider Plant

☀️Sunlight: Partial sun
💧Water: 3/4
🌬️Air Purification: 2/5
⚠️Dangerous for Pets/Kids: No

The spider plant is perfect for hanging baskets with its cascading green-and-yellow leaves. It’s easy to care for—just keep the soil moist and avoid direct sunlight. Plus, when it sprouts “babies,” you can replant them for even more greenery! Spider plants are effective at fighting pollutants commonly found in the home such as benzene, formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, and xylene.

Bamboo Palm

☀️Sunlight: Partial shade to full shade
💧Water: 4/4
🌬️Air Purification: 2/5
⚠️Dangerous for Pets/Kids: No

Bring tropical vibes indoors with the bamboo palm! It thrives in shaded areas and needs consistent watering to keep its soil moist. This lush beauty is also a top performer on NASA’s clean-air list, tackling pollutants like benzene and trichloroethylene.

Florist Chrysanthemum (Mum)

☀️Sunlight: Full sun
💧Water: 4/4
🌬️Air Purification: 5/5
⚠️Dangerous for Pets/Kids: No

Mums aren’t just for fall—they’re powerful air purifiers with vibrant blooms that brighten any room! Keep their soil moist with regular watering and place them in a sunny spot for maximum impact. Though short-lived indoors (6–8 weeks), they’re worth every moment of beauty they bring. The potted mum has an incredible transpiration rate, which makes it effective at cleaning the air.

Red-Edged Dracaena (Dragon Tree)

☀️Sunlight: Partial sun
💧Water: 2/4
Air Purification: 4/5
⚠️Dangerous for Pets/Kids: Yes

With striking red-edged leaves, this dracaena makes a bold statement while purifying your air. Let its soil dry out between waterings, and avoid letting it sit in standing water—this plant doesn’t like wet feet! Over time, it can grow into an impressive floor plant.

Snake Plant

☀️Sunlight: Partial sun, partial shade, or full shade
💧Water: 2/4
🌬️Air Purification: 4/5
⚠️Dangerous for Pets/Kids: Yes

The snake plant is nearly indestructible—perfect for anyone without a green thumb! It thrives in various light conditions and only needs watering when its soil is completely dry. Fun fact: Unlike most plants, it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at night, making it ideal for bedrooms!

Fiddle Leaf Fig

☀️Sunlight: Full sun to partial sun
💧Water: 2/4
🌬️Air Purification: 2/5
⚠️Dangerous for Pets/Kids: Yes

The fiddle leaf fig has earned its reputation as an “it” plant thanks to its large, glossy leaves that scream sophistication. Keep it near a sunny window and water weekly when the soil feels dry. Don’t forget to dust its leaves occasionally—they love staying clean!

Want new house plants but have no open surface space to place them? Chairside tables offer a small surface and sometimes include extra storage with shelves or a drawer or two.