Want to know a super easy way to make your home healthier? Get some plants!
I know it sounds too simple, but trust me – I stumbled onto this little secret when researching ways to freshen up my home naturally.
These 7 plants have made such a difference in my house, and the best part? They’re pretty hard to kill!
1. Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum)
I absolutely adore having peace lilies in my living room! Their elegant white flowers never fail to bring a smile to my face.
These beautiful plants are true champions when it comes to cleaning our indoor air. They work hard to reduce CO2 and those nasty volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that lurk in our homes.
One word of caution though – I keep mine up high on a shelf since they contain calcium oxalate, which isn’t safe for curious pets or little ones.
Peace Lily Care Tips
I’ve found these plants to be surprisingly low-maintenance. They’re happy in medium to low light, though they’ll reward you with more of those gorgeous white flowers if you give them bright indirect light.
Just keep their soil moist (but not waterlogged) and they’ll thrive!
2. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
My kitchen wouldn’t be complete without the cascading vines of golden pothos! These heart-shaped leaves bring such charm to any space.
What really sold me on pothos was learning how effectively they reduce indoor ozone levels and remove various harmful compounds from our air.
Since I have cats, I make sure to keep mine in hanging baskets well out of reach, as they’re not pet-friendly.
Pothos Care Tips
If you’re like me and sometimes forget to water your plants, pothos is your friend! They’re incredibly forgiving and actually prefer to dry out between waterings.
3. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
The snake plant has become my bedroom’s best friend! Its striking upright leaves add such character to the space.
What I love most about this plant is that it converts CO2 to oxygen at night – talk about a perfect bedroom companion!
Snake Plant Care Tips
This is literally the most forgiving plant I own. It thrives on neglect and only needs water when the soil is completely dry.
While it can handle low light, I’ve noticed mine does best in indirect sunlight.
4. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
My kids absolutely adore our spider plants! Those cute little “baby plants” dangling on long stems never fail to fascinate them.
The best part? Spider plants are completely safe around children and pets, which gives me such peace of mind as a mom.
I keep several of these throughout our home because they’re amazing at filtering out those nasty household toxins like formaldehyde and xylene.
Spider Plant Care Tips
These plants are practically foolproof! I’ve found they do best in bright indirect light, but they’re pretty adaptable to different lighting conditions.
Just keep the soil evenly moist, and they’ll reward you with lots of those adorable spiderettes!
5. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English ivy holds a special place in my heart – it was actually my first hanging plant! Those gorgeous cascading vines create such a cozy, cottage-like feeling in any room.
What really impressed me was learning how effectively it filters out airborne toxins like benzene and formaldehyde.
English Ivy Care Tips
I’ve discovered that these beauties prefer medium to bright indirect light, though they’ll tolerate lower light conditions too.
Keep in mind that ivy needs to be placed away from curious little hands and paws – I learned this the hard way and now keep mine up high since it’s toxic if ingested.
6. Dracaena Warneckii (Janet Craig Plant)
The Janet Craig plant has become my home office companion! Those sleek, elongated leaves add such sophistication to my workspace.
NASA actually studied this plant for its air-purifying abilities – how cool is that? It’s like having my own little air-cleaning station while I work.
Dracaena Care Tips
I love how low-maintenance this plant is! Medium indirect light and occasional watering are all it needs to thrive.
Since I have pets, I make sure to keep it elevated and out of reach, as the ASPCA notes it’s toxic to cats and dogs.
7. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
The rubber plant is my go-to statement piece! Those big, glossy leaves make such a bold impact in my living room.
What started as purely decorative choice became even better when I learned about its impressive ability to remove VOCs from our home.
Rubber Plant Care Tips
This is one of the most adaptable plants I’ve ever owned! It’s happy in both sunny and shady spots, making it perfect for any room.
I keep mine in well-draining soil and have found it grows beautifully whether it’s inside or out on my covered porch.