With our homes and offices closed up tight against the winter cold, indoor air can get a bit stale.  Purify the air with plants.

Adding just one 8 or 10-inch plant for every 100 square feet can help clean the air, add humidity and boost your mood.

Here’s a look at our suggestions.

Top 10 Air Cleaning House Plants

• Areca palm – Also known as yellow palm or butterfly palm, the Areca Palm is one of the most popular palms. It is tolerant of the indoor environment and releases copious amounts of moisture into the air. It is consistently rated among the best house plants for removing all indoor air toxins tested. Water when soil is dry to the touch, but be sure to not overwater. Best in direct, bright sunlight.

• Bamboo Palm – This tropical palm pumps much needed moisture into the indoor atmosphere, especially during winter months when heating systems dry the air. Bamboo palm is also one of the top-rated plants tested for the removal of benzene which is found in detergents and synthetic fibers, as well as other air toxins.  Best in direct, bright sunlight. Water when the soil feels dry.

• Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) – Easy-to-care for and beautiful variegated foliage, the Chinese Evergreen can filter out a variety of air pollutants and remove more toxins as time and exposure continues. Great for places with low light and bright, indirect sunlight. Allow the soil to dry between watering. 

• Dracaena “Janet Craig” – A very attractive plant with dark-green leaves, Dracaena “Janet Craig” is one of the best plants for removing trichloroethylene, a solvent primarily found in inks and paints. These plants can tolerate neglect and low light. However, growth will be slow if not in indirect, medium sunlight. Water thoroughly and allow soil to dry out before watering again.

• Ficus Alii – Its slender dark green leaves make this Ficus an extremely attractive plant. Its ability to help purify the air, ease of growth and resistance to insects make it an excellent choice for the home or office. Like all species of Ficus, expect some leaf drop until the plant adjusts to its new location. Best in direct, bright sunlight to indirect, medium sunlight. Water thoroughly and let the soil dry out.

• Heart-Shaped Philodendron – A vine with heart-shaped leaves, this type of Philodendron is low maintenance and likes to dry out between watering. It is particularly good at battling formaldehyde, commonly found in carpet and household cleaners. Best in indirect sunlight. 

• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) – Outstanding green foliage with elegant white spathes, this plant excels at removal of all air toxins tested. Best in indirect, medium to low sunlight. Keep soil moist, but do not overwater.

• Pothos – A popular plant for low light, low humidity and cooler temperature conditions, Pothos come in a variety of foliage types. They are rated one of the best house plants for removing all indoor air toxins. Occasionally, it could use pruning, but prune selectively. This promotes new growth. Allow soil to dry out between watering.

• Snake Plant (Sansevieria) – An exotic plant known as mother-in-law’s tongue, Snake Plants are perfect for low light and humid conditions. Great for the bathroom, Snake Plants are excellent at filtering out formaldehyde, found in cleaning products. Best to allow soil to dry out completely between watering.

• Spider Plant – A resilient plant that’s great for neglectful gardeners. Rich foliage and tiny white flowers, Spider Plants battle benzene, formaldehyde and xylene, used in leather and rubber. Best in bright indirect sunlight. Water thoroughly, but do not allow the soil to get soggy.

Visit English Gardens and browse through our wide selection of house plants that clean the air and decorate your space.