15 Houseplants That Can Remove Toxins In Your Home

Some plants literally let you ~breathe easy~ by increasing the amount of oxygen in the air through photosynthesis, as well as filtering and purifying it. Studies show they can even remove toxins from the air, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. Plus, most air-purifying plants are pretty easy to keep alive.

Here are some houseplants that are proven to clear the air in your home (and how to care for them):

Sun: Indirect to direct light; full sun is ideal

Water: Weekly; allow the soil to dry out between waterings

Toxic to dogs and cats: Yes

Eliminates: Carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene

Sun: Indirect light

Water: When the top of the soil is dry to the touch

Toxic to dogs and cats: Yes

Eliminates: Benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene

Sun: Partial shade; can tolerate fluorescent lights

Water: At least once a week; wait for it to droop slightly before watering

Toxic to dogs and cats: Yes

Eliminates: Ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene

Sun: Medium indirect light to full sun; tolerates low light

Water: About every two weeks; allow the soil to dry out between waterings

Toxic to dogs and cats: Yes

Eliminates: Benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene

Sun: Bright indirect light

Water: When the soil surface feels dry

Toxic to dogs and cats: No

Eliminates: Benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene

Sun: Direct light; full sun is ideal

Water: About every two or three weeks in full sun; when the soil is dry and leaves start to curl

Toxic to dogs and cats: Yes

Eliminates: Formaldehyde

Sun: Moderate to bright light; does best in filtered light through a sheer curtain or other window covering

Water: Keep the soil consistently moist

Toxic to dogs and cats: Yes

Eliminates: Toluene, xylene

Sun: Indirect light to dappled sun

Water: Weekly; allow the soil to dry out between waterings

Toxic to dogs and cats: Yes

Eliminates: Formaldehyde

Sun: Bright indirect light

Water: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings

Toxic to dogs and cats: Yes

Eliminates: Formaldehyde

Sun: Bright indirect light

Water: Weekly; allow the soil to dry out between waterings

Toxic to dogs and cats: No

Eliminates: Formaldehyde, toluene, xylene

Sun: Medium to bright indirect light

Water: Weekly; don't allow soil to become fully dry

Toxic to dogs and cats: Yes

Eliminates: Benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene

Sun: Low indirect light

Water: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings

Toxic to dogs and cats: Yes

Eliminates: Benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene

Sun: Moderate to low indirect light

Water: Weekly; allow the soil to dry out between waterings

Toxic to dogs and cats: Yes

Eliminates: Benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, toluene, xylene

Sun: Moderate indirect light

Water: Whenever the soil feels dry to the touch

Toxic to dogs and cats: No

Eliminates: Formaldehyde, toluene, xylene

Sun: Bright indirect light

Water: Keep the soil consistently moist

Toxic to dogs and cats: Yes

Eliminates: Benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene