Any newly built or existing new home can harbor unhealthy toxins in the air. The most common toxins, emissions from paint, carpet, and cleaning solutions found in the home are benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. Scientific studies conclude that houseplants purify the indoor air through their natural processes by converting carbon dioxide and other gases into clean air.

So go ahead and bring the beauty of nature indoors with potted plants. You’re not only livening up a living space or office but naturally filtering pollutants from indoor air.  Here are our top seven favorite air purifying plants for the home or office:

 Phaeleonopsis and Dendrobium Orchids are easy to take care of and rid the air ofxylene. Orchids also respire and give off oxygen at night – so they’re ideal for the bedroom. They make wonderful housewarming gifts for anyone who recently moved into or renovated a new space. 

 Anthuriums not only make lovely gifts because of their exotic-looking red, pink or green blooms, but they also absorb ammonia, formaldehyde, toluene and xylene, Ideal for an office with lots of copiers and printers.

 Pothos is characterized by its golden heart-shaped leaves and is extremely popular in North America. It’s a hardy plant that can survive in lower light and colder temps and is great for offices and homes as it rids the air of carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.

 Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) plants have rich green glossy leaves and beautiful, lily-like white blossoms. It’s a popular ‘any occasion’ gift that’s very easy to maintain. It eliminates formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, ammonia, and more.

 Schefflera plants have glossy, sturdy-looking oval leaves. They’re resilient and easy to maintain. They’re known to soak up toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene.

 Dracaena comes in various shapes, colors and sizes. You can easily find one perfect for a desk, coffee table or as a focal point of the room in a large floor container. They are effective at filtering all of the most common toxins.

  Massangeana Cane’s beauty is easy to love. Native to Africa, it has a richly elegant, yet exotic look that makes it ideal for decorating your home. It also filters formaldehyde from indoor air.