Indoor Plants and Air Purification: Myth, Science, and Reality

February 6, 2026

It usually starts small.

A snake plant brought home after a visit to the nursery. A money plant gifted during a house‑warming. A peace lily placed near a window because someone said it “cleans the air.” Slowly, pots multiply — in corners, beside sofas, near beds. And with them grows a quiet hope: maybe this will help us breathe a little better.

In Indian cities, this hope is deeply relatable. Outdoor pollution seeps indoors, windows stay shut for noise or heat, and air purifiers feel expensive or excessive. Plants feel different — natural, calming, harmless. But behind this comforting idea sits an important question: do indoor plants really purify the air we breathe?

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters in Indian Homes

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, and sometimes even worse. This is because modern homes trap pollutants released from furniture, paints, cleaning products, cooking, and personal care items, while ventilation is often limited.

In Indian homes, indoor pollution has some additional layers:

· Cooking with gas or solid fuels

· Incense sticks, dhoop, and agarbattis

· Mosquito repellents

· Dampness during monsoon seasons

· Dense furniture made from engineered wood

The Origin of the Air-Purifying Plants Belief

The idea that houseplants can clean indoor air became popular after the NASA Clean Air Study (1989), frequently cited in lifestyle reporting including Indian Express features on indoor plants. Conducted to explore ways to improve air quality inside space stations, the study found that certain plants could remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs)such as:

· Formaldehyde

· Benzene

· Trichloroethylene

These experiments were done in sealed chambers, with carefully controlled conditions and no fresh air exchange. In that environment, plants — along with microorganisms in the soil — did show the ability to absorb and break down VOCs.

Over time, this study was widely cited by lifestyle media without discussing the limitations of the original research.

This is where the gap between laboratory science and real homes begins.

Do Indoor Plants Actually Clean Air? What Science Found

More recent reviews, including those discussed in The Guardian, have taken a closer look at whether plants can meaningfully clean air in everyday indoor spaces.

The conclusion:

While plants can remove VOCs, the rate is so slow that you would need hundreds — sometimes thousands — of plants in a single room to match the air‑cleaning effect of ventilation or a basic air purifier.

In normal homes, air is constantly moving — doors open, fans run, windows leak air, and people move around. Under these conditions, the impact of a few plants on measurable indoor air quality is negligible.

This does not mean plants are useless. It means they have been over‑promised and under‑explained.

What Indoor Plants Can Realistically Do for Your Home

If plants don’t dramatically purify air, why do people still feel better around them?

1. Minor VOC Absorption

Plants can absorb small amounts of VOCs, especially when supported by healthy soil microbes. This effect is real but limited.

2. Humidity Regulation

Through transpiration, plants release moisture into the air. In dry environments or air‑conditioned rooms, this can improve comfort levels.

3. Psychological & Well‑Being Benefits

Multiple studies show that indoor greenery reduces stress, improves mood, and increases perceived air freshness. Even when air chemistry does not change much, how people feel often does.

What they do not do is remove smoke, dust, PM2.5, or PM10 in any meaningful way. For that, ventilation and filtration are essential.

Think of plants as supportive companions, not air‑cleaning machines.

Popular Indoor Plants and Why People Choose Them

Following plants are among the most commonly used in Indian and global homes:

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria) – hardy, low maintenance, often kept in bedrooms.

2. Peace Lily – absorbs certain VOCs, thrives indoors, visually appealing

3. Spider Plant – child‑safe, adaptable, easy to grow

4. Areca Palm – improves humidity, popular in living rooms

5. Aloe Vera – dual use plant, needs sunlight

6. Money Plant (Pothos) – extremely common in Indian homes

7. Rubber Plant – large leaves, slow‑growing

8. Boston Fern – prefers humidity, common in bathrooms

The reason these are popular today are on the belief of their vastu, air purifying and oxygen releasing properties. The later two are mostly quoted in reference to NASA research as explained above.

How Many Indoor Plants Are Enough for a Home?

· A few plants: comfort and mood benefits

· Dozens of plants: still minor air impact

· Hundreds of plants: impractical for real homes

A realistic recommendation for Indian apartments is 10–15 plants across the home, chosen for ease of care and placement — not for air purification promises.

Plants vs Air Purifiers: The Real Difference

Plants and air purifiers are often compared, but they serve very different roles.

· HEPA purifiers remove PM2.5 effectively

· Activated carbon filters remove VOCs

· Plants offer comfort, humidity, and mental well‑being

No amount of houseplants can replace ventilation or filtration when health‑relevant pollution is concerned.

Instead of asking, “Which plant purifies air best?”, a more useful question is:

“How can plants support a healthier, more comfortable indoor environment?”

When combined with:

· Cross‑ventilation

· Cleaner cooking practices

· Reduced chemical use