NASA studies show they can absorb toxins, but in real homes, their impact is limited without ventilation. Top picks include Snake Plant, Peace Lily, Aloe Vera, Money Plant (Pothos), and Areca Palm.

November 17, 2023 - “According to NASA’s Clean Air Study, the Snake Plant is so effective in producing oxygen that if you were locked in a sealed room with no airflow (yikes!), you would be able to survive with just 6-8 plants in it,” text on the video reads.

September 2, 2024 - Of all the plants NASA used in the study, the snake plant had one of the best surface area to chemical removal ratios. Hailing from Madagascar, the Red-edged dracaena’s popularity in households soared as a result of its performance in NASA’s ...

May 29, 2024 - Its long, upright leaves have ... study found that the Snake Plant is highly effective at removing toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and nitrogen oxides from the air....

December 1, 2025 - Variegated snake plant / mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii) ... Since the release of the initial 1989 study, titled A study of interior landscape plants for indoor air pollution abatement: An Interim Report, further research ...

May 7, 2024 - Research by Michael Waring, PhD, a professor in the College of Engineering, debunking the myth that plants can contribute to improving indoor air quality, was cited in a Dec. 22 PolitiFact post looking into claims that snake plants can produce enough oxygen for humans to live in a sealed room.

January 9, 2024 - Over 30 years ago, in 1989, NASA scientist Bill Wolverton claimed that household plants could provide a “promising” solution to indoor air pollution. Including the American Lung Association. In part they said that This NASA study showed that plants did clean the air in a closed, limited ...

air · is addressed · here. In this · study · the · leaves, roots, soil, and · associated · microorganisms · of plants · have · been · evaluated · as a possible · means · of reducing · indoor · air pollutants. Additionally, a novel approach · of using · plant ·

September 5, 2019 - Plants such as the Snake Plant also boost oxygen output during the night time which help improve air quality while you are sleeping, creating a better atmosphere for you to snooze in.

October 21, 2021 - According to the study, peace lilies removed 23% of TCE (trichloroethylene) from the air in 24 hours (more than any other houseplant), a finding which supports their massive popularity.

October 19, 2021 - The agency did not reach those conclusions or offer such recommendations, a spokesperson confirmed. The claim may be a distortion of a1989 NASA report focused on whether indoor plants can help clean the air, not sustain human life.

October 29, 2024 - The study suggests that at least one plant per 100 square feet can effectively clean the air, so fill your space with these eight detoxifying plants, handpicked by NASA, to purify the air in your home.

Sansevieria trifasciata, commonly called as Snake Plant or Mother-in-law's Tongue is an ideal plant for indoor spaces because of its natural ability to purify the air. An interesting research program has been done by NASA using a few selected plants including the Snake plant for air purification ...

Answer: NASA funded research by Dr. Wolverton, a into the use of plants to aid oxygen production and reduce VOC’s (volatile organic chemicals) on space stations, and future closed living modules. The studies were carried out in controlled laboratory conditions, within small sealed chambers, so th...

July 8, 2025 - Plants, air purifiers and indoor air quality monitors all contribute to improved indoor air, but work in different ways. We list their advantages, limitations, and the best house plants for improving indoor air according to NASA research.

... This plant, ‘the spider plant’, ... for plant, known as the ‘snake plant’, is particularly effective at removing benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air....

June 2, 2023 - A May 22 Facebook video features a screenshot of an article about snake plants. "According to NASA's Clean Air Study, the Snake Plant is so effective in producing oxygen that if you were locked in a sealed room with no airflow – yikes!

August 16, 2013 - This air filter design combines plants with an activated carbon filter. The rationale for this design, which evolved from wastewater treatment studies, is based on moving large volumes of contaminated air through an activated carbon bed where smoke, organic chemicals, pathogenic microorganisms (if present), and possibly radon are absorbed by the carbon filter.

November 3, 2025 - Plants such as the Spider Plant, Snake Plant, and Peace Lily act as natural filters, improving air quality in homes. Incorporating these seven NASA-approved plants offers a beautiful, low-tech solution for fresher, healthier living spaces.