Web Extra – 1/17/09

List of recommended plants for cleaning indoor air

In the 1980s, NASA studied house plants and their ability to cleanse indoor air. For a 1,200 to 2,000 square foot home, use 10 to 15 plants. These plants will go a long way to help clean indoor air of pollutants, such as carbon dioxide and formaldehyde. Place them where you spend the most time, such as on a desk or reading table.

Here are 15 plants recommended for the job, each of which should be available at florists, garden centers and other retailers.

Spider plant © Fotolia

1. Heartleaf philodendron ‘Oxycardium’ (Philodendron scandens)

2. Elephant ear philodendron (Philodendron domesticum)

3. Corn plant ‘Massangeana’ (Dracaena fragrans)

4. English ivy (Hedera helix)

5. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

6. ‘Janet Craig’ dracaena (Dracaena deremensis)

7. ‘Warneck’ dracaena (Dracaena deremensis)

Split-leaf philodendron (Photo courtesy North Dakota State University)

8. Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)

9. Golden pothos (Epipiremnum aureum)

10. Peach lily `Mauna Loa’ (Spathiphyllum)

11.Split-leaf philodendron (Philodendron selloum)

12. Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)

13. Bamboo or reed palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)

Snake plant © iStockphoto

14. Snake plant/mother-in-law tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)

15. Red-edge dracaena (Dracaena marginata)

For more information:  NASA’s study of foliage plants.