Best Indoor Tropical Plants for Clean Indoor Air

In 1989, a study demonstrated that specific tropical plants efficient at capturing and processing gasses for photosynthesis were able to remove up to 87% of indoor pollutants within 24 hours. Seventeen houseplants and two seasonal flowering plants make up that list. This is a sample of the best houseplant ideas for indoor gardens.

Palm Tree Houseplants for Clean Air

Palm trees make dramatic houseplants but there are many kinds. These are on the list of best to clean indoor air:

• Rhapis excellsa, called lady palm, is a tough plant. With upright fronds and fan shaped leaflets, this palm has bamboo shaped stems and dark green foliage. It will thrive in medium indoor light and humid air but will tolerate cool nights and short periods of shade.

• Phoenix roebelenii is a dwarf date palm that is easy to grow. It has a graceful appearance but with a short trunk. It tolerates air conditioning and short periods of low light.

• Chrysalido carpus is also called bamboo palm. It is slow growing with arching fronds. Bamboo palm prefers warmer indoor temperatures.

Dracaena Indoor Tropical Plants

Dracaenas are upright plants with cane type stems and broad strapping leaves. This type of plant grows best in medium to low light indoors; outside avoid direct sun or a windy location.

Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’ has dark green leaves and is a long-lived plant. Look for the dwarf variety because this Dracaena can grow very tall.

Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’ is called a corn plant. It has arching, yellow striped leaves.

Easy to Grow Trailing Tropical Plants

Two easy to grow trailing tropical houseplants are English ivy and golden pothos, both available in variegated varieties. These plants are appropriate for hanging baskets outside in summer, as well as indoors.

English ivy, botanically called Hedera helix, is an excellent plant for terrariums, in addition to hanging pots. It thrives in cool inside temperatures and high humidity. English ivy grows best in bright to medium indoor light with no direct sun.

Golden pothos is botanically called Epipremnum aureum. This trailing plant prefers infrequent repotting. It thrives in medium light indoors or shade outside. The leaf size of this plant increases as it ages.

Seasonal Flowering Plants

On the list of houseplants which clean indoor air is the florist mum and gerbera daisy. These seasonal flowering plants will thrive indoors for a limited amount of time before needing to summer outdoors.

Chrysanthemum morifolium comes in a variety of colorful blooms. Mums grow best in bright light but will tolerate lower light indoors for a short time. Before warm spring temperatures, overwinter in a cool dark location with only slightly moist soil. Mums should be cut back before bringing outside.

What is Sick Building Syndrome

Sick Building Syndrome is caused by tightly sealed homes trapping toxins found in common household products. The National Aeronautic and Space Administration and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America conducted a two-year study that shows the positive effects of houseplants removing harmful toxins from indoor air. These plants, which convert carbon dioxide to oxygen through photosynthesis while functioning in low light environments, are primarily native in areas with dense tropical canopies.

Tropical plants grown in the home can help improve air quality. Although not on the list, the Kentia palm is another tropical that makes an excellent houseplant.