Indoor Plants as Air Purifiers

 The 1989 NASA Clean Air Study identified several common indoor plants that can help remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air in sealed environments. The study was conducted in partnership with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) to find ways to clean the air in spacecraft.

Here is the list of some of the plants found to remove pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene through their leaves and root systems, where microbes in the soil also play a key role.

• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum 'Mauna Loa') - Effective at removing formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and ammonia.

• Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) - Known for removing a variety of pollutants including formaldehyde and benzene. It also uniquely releases oxygen at night.

• English Ivy (Hedera helix) - Great at filtering out airborne mold spores, as well as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) - One of the easiest to care for, it's known for removing formaldehyde and xylene.

• Florist's Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) - This flowering plant removes a wide range of toxins, including ammonia and benzene.

• Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) - Filters out pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene.

• Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) - Excellent for removing formaldehyde and benzene while also adding moisture to the air.

• Red-Edged Dracaena (Dracaena marginata) - A popular, easy-to-grow plant that removes benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

• Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum) - An efficient filter for formaldehyde and benzene.

• Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) - This flowering plant is effective at removing trichloroethylene and benzene.

Important Context about the Study 

It's important to note that the study was conducted in small, sealed chambers and does not directly translate to the conditions of a typical home or office. 

Subsequent research has found that for plants to have a significant effect on indoor air quality in a standard, ventilated building, you would need an impractically large number of plants—potentially dozens per square meter. 

The primary way to improve indoor air quality remains proper ventilation and addressing the source of the pollutants.