Healthy Indoor Air with Air-Purifying Plants
Healthy indoor air directly affects our health and quality of life – from sleep quality to the ability to concentrate and overall well-being. Certain plants can help improve air quality: they have been proven to filter out pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene, volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
We show you which air-purifying plants are most effective and how to use them against dry air, headaches, and other indoor air problems.
Why Healthy Indoor Air Is So Important
The air inside closed rooms can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Formaldehyde from furniture, benzene from cleaners, volatile organic compounds from paints. We breathe in these invisible pollutants every day. The consequences: headaches, constant tiredness, poor sleep. In the long run, these burdens can lead to serious health problems. The good news: air-purifying plants have been proven to filter these pollutants from the air.
The Problem
Formaldehyde from furniture, benzene from cleaners, volatile organic compounds from paints – our indoor air is often heavily polluted. These harmful substances can cause headaches, allergies, and breathing difficulties.
The solution
NASA studies showed: Certain houseplants filter up to 90% of air pollutants. Pollutants are biologically broken down in the root and microorganism area - 24/7, without electricity, without filters.
The effect
Healthy indoor air means better sleep, greater focus, fewer headaches, and an overall improved well-being. In many cases, noticeable improvements can be felt after a short time.
These pollutants are filtered from the air by plants
Formaldehyde from furniture, benzene from cleaners, trichloroethylene from textiles – our indoor spaces are full of invisible pollutants. This overview shows which plants filter which pollutants most effectively and thus ensure healthier indoor air.
Formaldehyde
Benzene
Trichloroethylene
Xylene
The right plant for every indoor air problem
Each room has different air issues. Whether dry air, new furniture, or sleep troubles – here you will find the right plants.
In dry indoor air (below 40% humidity)
Dry mucous membranes, chapped lips, increased susceptibility to colds
- Golden fruit palm (increases air moisture by up to 10%)
- Cyperus grass (transpires a lot of water)
- Ferns (natural air humidifiers)
- Dwarf palm
Recommendation: 3-4 large plants per 20m² room
For better rest in the sleeping room
Restless sleep, morning tiredness, poor air quality at night
- Snake plant (absorbs CO₂ at night, "CAM plant")
- Aloe Vera (filters toxins at night)
- Peace lily (cleans air continuously)
- Lavender (calming effect)
Recommendation: 2-3 medium-sized plants per bedroom
For headaches and trouble concentrating
Frequent headaches, tiredness, poor concentration
- Peace lily (effectively filters formaldehyde)x
- Philodendron (removes benzene)
- Dragon tree (broad pollutant spectrum)
- Snake plant (oxygen-enriching)
Recommendation: 4-5 plants in the work/living area
After renovation or new furniture
High formaldehyde exposure from new furniture, paints, floors
- Peace lily (formaldehyde specialist, up to 50% reduction)
- Chrysanthemum (very effective against formaldehyde)
- Bow hemp (sturdy and powerful)
- Dragon tree (also removes trichloroethylene)
Recommendation: 6-8 large plants for heavily used rooms
Scientifically proven: This is how effective plants are
The ability of plants to cleanse indoor air is not a guess – it is scientifically proven. NASA, the Fraunhofer Institute, and international universities have tested in controlled studies how houseplants filter pollutants from the air. The results are clear.
NASA study (1989)
- Result: Significant VOC reduction after 24 hours in controlled test chambers
- Insight: Up to 88% of the cleaning power lies in the roots and the soil (performance only 12% lower without leaves)
- Tested: Formaldehyde, Benzene, Trichloroethylene
Fraunhofer Institute (2018)
- Result: 50% formaldehyde reduction, 30% toluene reduction, 20% xylene reduction
- Tested: Dragon tree in controlled test chamber with AIRY system
- Period: 24-hour measurement
Beijing University (2005)
- Result: 77% benzene reduction, 80% formaldehyde reduction
- Tested: Grain stalk and peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
- Special feature: With AIRY precursor vs. normal conditions