NASA-recommended plants for indoor air quality: From Green Spider Plant to Peace Lily; here is the list of houseplants studied for their air-purifying potential

The well-known NASA Clean Air Study examined whether certain indoor plants could help remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from enclosed environments such as homes, offices and commercial spaces.

Best Plants for Indoor Air Quality (NASA recommended)

Philodendron oxycardium – Heart leaf philodendron

Philodendron domesticum – Elephant ear (low concentrations)


Philodendron selloum – Lacy tree philodendron

Chlorophytum elatum – Green spider plant

Scindapsus aureus – Golden pothos

Aglaonema modestum (written as Aglonema) – Chinese evergreen

Aloe vera

Brassaia arboricola – Mini-schefflera

Spathiphyllum 'clevelandii' – Peace lily

Peperomia obtusifolia – Peperomia

Dracaena fragrans 'massangeana' – Corn plant

Sansevieria trifasciata – Mother-in-law tongue

Gerbera jamesonii – Gerbera daisy

Chrysanthemum morifolium – Mums

Oyster Plant

Spathiphyllum mauna loa – Peace lily

Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckei' – Warneckei

Dracaena marginata – Marginata

Chamaedorea seifrizii – Bamboo palm

Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig' – Janet Craig

Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana' – Corn plant

Do Indoor Plants Really Clean the Air?

While the NASA study helped popularise the idea of using houseplants for indoor air purification, its findings came from controlled experimental conditions. Real-world homes have ventilation, air exchange and other factors that can significantly affect indoor pollutant levels.

Therefore, houseplants can be a pleasant addition to indoor spaces and may offer well-being benefits, but they should not replace proper ventilation, source control or appropriate air-cleaning equipment when indoor air pollution is a concern.