10 BEST AIR PURIFYING INDOOR PLANTS FOR BIOPHILIC DESIGN
In our increasingly urbanized world, many of us find ourselves spending more time indoors than ever. Unfortunately, our built environments often lack the visual, tactile, and air-quality elements that inherently connect us to nature—elements we instinctively long for. This is where biophilic design comes into play. By integrating natural materials, ample daylight, scenic views, and lush greenery into our interiors, we can dramatically improve our well-being, lower stress levels, and enrich our surroundings. A highly effective way to achieve this transformation is through the use of indoor plants, which not only bring beauty and texture to our spaces but also purify the air we breathe, making our home or office a healthier haven.
OBJECTIVE
In this blog, we delve into ten exceptional air-purifying plants: the snake plant, spider plant, ZZ plant, pothos, peace lily, monstera, fern, English ivy, cactus, and aloe vera. Each of these plants not only adds visual appeal to your space but also plays a crucial role in improving indoor air quality. No matter your interior design style—be it minimalist, tropical, Scandinavian, or Bohemian—these plants can transform your home into a biophilic oasis, promoting a healthier and more vibrant indoor atmosphere. Embrace nature’s beauty and enhance your living environment with these remarkable plants!
Plant Descriptions
For each plant, I’ll include: key aesthetic/biophilic design contributions, the types of air pollutants they help mitigate, and care tips that support their optimal performance.
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| Snake Plant |
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria / Dracaena trifasciata)
Aesthetic & Biophilic Value: Tall, upright, sword‑like leaves give strong vertical form; great for defining corners, lining hallways, or structuring a space. Its bold, architectural profile adds contrast in texture (with smoother leaves) and color (often variegated edges or bands). Works well in minimalistic designs as a sculptural element.
Air Purification Benefits: Known from NASA’s Clean Air Study to remove toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and trichloroethylene. It also continues to release oxygen at night (unlike many plants), which makes it good for bedrooms.
Care: Very low maintenance. Tolerates low light, needs infrequent watering (soil should dry between waterings). Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Strong in neglect.
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| Spider Plant |
Aesthetic & Biophilic Value: Its arching, variegated leaves and cascading “spiderettes” (baby offshoots) offer movement, texture, and layers. Hanging baskets and shelves are good locations; its airy structure softens rigid geometry in interiors. Very forgiving plant that gives a lush, relaxed feel.
Air Purification Benefits: Effective at removing formaldehyde, xylene, and carbon monoxide. Recognized in many surveys/NASA studies. Good at filtering indoor pollutants from furnishings, adhesives, and synthetic materials.
Care: Prefers bright, indirect light but tolerates moderate shade. Likes moist but well‑draining soil; allow topsoil to dry a bit between waterings. Mist occasionally to reduce dust on the leaves, which helps with air filtering.
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| ZZ Plant |
Aesthetic & Biophilic Value: Glossy, dark green, waxy leaves on upright stems; low, sculptural silhouette. Offers high contrast in tone and sheen; works well as an accent piece or in low‑light parts of the house (since it tolerates shade). Its robustness embodies the “resilience” aspect of biophilic design—forms that endure and adapt.
Air Purification Benefits: Helps remove VOCs such as benzene, toluene, and xylene. Though less is known compared to some of the classic NASA plants, multiple sources list it among effective air purifiers.
Care: Very low maintenance. Needs bright indirect to moderate light but tolerates quite low light. Water sparingly; let soil dry between waterings (its rhizomes store water). Keep in well‑draining soil; avoid waterlogging.
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| Pothos |
Aesthetic & Biophilic Value: Trailing vines, heart‑shaped leaves often variegated (gold, cream, white, etc.). Excellent for adding soft curves, layering, draping, and green cascades from shelves or hanging planters. Its vines help visually connect the floor, middle, and ceiling levels in a room, supporting spatial biophilic layering.
Air Purification Benefits: Known to absorb formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene. Very forgiving plant, often used in workplaces and homes for its air-cleaning qualities.
Care: Thrives in bright, indirect light but tolerates lower light. Keep soil lightly moist, but do not overwater; let the top layer dry somewhat. Regular pruning of vines helps keep aesthetic shape and stimulates fuller growth.
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| Peace Lily |
Aesthetic & Biophilic Value: Elegant white spathes (flowers) contrasting against glossy deep green leaves provide focal interest and a soothing, tranquil presence. Great in low to medium light, good for corners or areas that need a calming feature. Also adds softness through its curved flower and foliage forms.
Air Purification Benefits: Removes pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and ammonia. Also reputed to help reduce mold spores in air and increase indoor humidity (beneficial in dry climates).
Care: Prefers medium to low indirect light. Soil kept moist (but not waterlogged). Droops visibly when dry (which is a visual cue). Be cautious if there are pets, as parts are toxic if ingested.
Monstera
6. Monstera (Monstera
deliciosa, etc.)
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| Monstera |
6. Monstera (Monstera deliciosa, etc.)
Aesthetic & Biophilic Value: Large leaves with split or perforated forms create dramatic shadows and patterns of light through foliage, which is very biophilic. Their scale can give a tropical feel, help fill vertical space, and emphasize lush, nature‑like interiors. Provides a strong “leafy” presence.
Air Purification Benefits: While Monstera is not always one of the headline plants in older NASA lists, more recent design/houseplant sources include Monstera among those that help improve indoor air quality (removal of VOCs, etc.). Also, its large leaf surface area helps in absorbing pollutants and dust.
Care: Thrives in bright, indirect light. Needs well‑draining soil and regular watering (keeping soil slightly moist). Likes support (a stake or moss pole) for vertical growth if desired. Avoid direct harsh sun, which can scorch. Also, dust leaves occasionally to keep stomata open.
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| Fern |
7. Fern (e.g., Boston Fern Nephrolepis exaltata or other indoor fern species)
Aesthetic & Biophilic Value: Feathery, delicate foliage adds softness, texture, and richness. Ferns evoke shade, moisture, and leafy forest understory ambience. Great for humid areas like bathrooms, kitchens; can be used in planters at various heights to create layered green zones.
Air Purification Benefits: Known to remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene; also naturally raises humidity via transpiration, which can help skin and respiratory comfort, and reduce dust.
Care: Prefer bright, indirect light; keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. High humidity helps; regular misting or use of pebble trays. Sensitive to dry air and over‑drying.
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| English Ivy |
8. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Aesthetic & Biophilic Value: Trailing or climbing; can cover walls, be trained over trellises; its drape softens harsh lines, adds complexity, and layers. Several cultivars feature variegated leaves, adding visual interest. They can be used in baskets or as groundcover in large planters indoors.
Air Purification Benefits: Good at removing formaldehyde and other VOCs; also helps reduce airborne fecal particles/mold in some studies—useful for allergy relief.
Care: Prefers medium to bright indirect light. Keep soil moderately moist; tolerates some dryness but not extended drought. Be mindful that ivy can be toxic if ingested and may require pruning to control spread.
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| Cactus |
9. Cactus (Various succulents/cactus species)
Aesthetic & Biophilic Value: Strong sculptural forms, variety of shapes—from columnar to round, ribbed, or spiky—which can serve as focal points or contrast in texture. Minimalist and drought‑tolerant, often in modern or desert aesthetic‑inspired interiors. Great for small spaces or for people with less time for maintenance.
Air Purification Benefits: While cacti are not always the most prominent in VOC‑removing plant lists compared to some others, succulents in general help with absorbing CO₂, releasing oxygen, and reducing some pollutants; they also help stabilize humidity and may help trap dust or particles on their surfaces. Some sources list “succulents and cacti” among the overall category of air purifiers.
Care: Require bright light; soil must be well‑draining; water infrequently (allow soil to dry between waterings). Overwatering is the most common cause of failure. Use containers with drainage.
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| Aloe Vera |
Aesthetic & Biophilic Value: Succulent form, fleshy leaves with interesting colors and textures (often a bit glossier, occasionally with pale spotting, and with architectural symmetry). Has a clean, modern yet natural feel. Also, it is multi‑functional—gel inside has soothing properties. Good for windowsills, kitchens, bathrooms—places where its practical uses can be part of its appeal.
Air Purification Benefits: Identified in studies/lists as helping to remove formaldehyde and benzene. It can also contribute to oxygen production, though not especially at night (unlike the snake plant). Also serves as a low‑maintenance purifier.
Care: Needs bright, indirect to direct light; minimal watering; well‑draining succulent or cactus mix. Allow the soil to dry out substantially between watering to avoid root rot. Occasional dusting.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Introducing air-purifying plants into your interior spaces does more than enhance visual appeal—it actively promotes essential aspects of biophilic design. These elements foster a connection with nature, provide sensory richness through diverse textures, forms, and colors, soften harsh edges, and significantly improve air quality. Such plants not only elevate the aesthetics of your space with their vibrant greenery and structure but also play a crucial role in reducing harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mold spores, and other indoor pollutants. Embrace the power of nature indoors for a healthier and more inviting environment!
When selecting and placing plants, consider the following to maximize both design and purification benefits:
Distribute greenery throughout the room (not just in one corner) to increase surface area for filtering and to support visual layering.
Match plant choices to the light, humidity, and care capacity you have—inappropriate conditions reduce both aesthetic vibrancy and purification efficacy.
Use plants as accents or focal points: large-leaf plants like monstera, upright ones like snake plant, trailing ones like pothos or ivy, and ones with flowers like peace lily.
Maintain them well: clean leaves (dust blocks stomata), water correctly, avoid overcrowding, and replace if plants get unhealthy.
Although one or two houseplants may not fully replace the need for ventilation or mechanical air filtration in polluted environments, integrating them with proper airflow, eliminating sources of indoor toxins (like certain paints and cleaning agents), and using a variety of plants can greatly enhance the quality of your indoor environment. Investing in plants is a simple, effective way to breathe easier and create a healthier home.
In short, by weaving in these ten plants, you can design interiors that feel alive, calming, and healthier—a hallmark of biophilic design in practice.
Ar J CASTANEDA
Architect, Sustainable Architecture
Link in account for architectural works.
CITATIONS:
https://www.almanac.com/10-indoor-plants-clean-air
https://www.mdessmarket.com/blog/plants-that-clean-the-air
https://houseplant101.com/blog/air-purifying-plants/
https://airpurityguide.com/what-plants-are-good-for-air-purification/
https://aquascape.ae/product/zamioculcas-zamiifolia-air-purifier-plant/
https://homebagh.com/blogs/news/top-air-purifying-indoor-plants-for-a-healthier-home
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/best-indoor-plants
PHOTO ATTRIBUTIONS
001 Snake Plant pexels-rosana-solis-385478-3718448
002 Spider Plant pexels-fotios-photos-4753285
003 Raven ZZ Plant pexels-valeriiamiller-8525199
004 Pothos pexels-rdne-8580784
005 Peace Lily pexels-alinaskazka-14939905
006 Monstera pexels-avonnephoto-6597437
007 Fern pexels-hellokellybrito-322342
008 English Ivy pexels-plantsandgraphics-7365049
009 Cactus pexels-scottwebb-7167634
010 Aloe Vera pexels-jvdm-1581101
011 Cover Photo pexels-huy-phan-316220-3076899
