Researchers at the University of Georgia tested a number of common
houseplants for their ability to remove organic volatiles from indoor
environments. The indoor pollutants included benzene, toluene, octane,
tricholoroethylene (TCE), and alphapinene. Houseplants were rated as
superior, intermediate, or poor to reflect their ability to remove all
volatiles. None of the plants appeared to have been damaged by the
volatiles.
Superior Removal Efficiency
Hemigraphis alternata: Red Ivy
Hedera helix: English Ivy
Tradescantia pallida: Wandering Jew
Hoya carnosa: Porcelain Flower
Intermediate Removal Efficiency
Ficus benjamina: Weeping fig
Polyscia fruticosa: Ming aralia
Fittonia argyroneura: Silver Nerve Plant Sansevieria trifasciata:
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Gusmania sp.: Type of Bromeliad Anthurium andreanum:
Flamingo Flower Schefflera elegantissima: False aralia
Poor Removal Efficiency
Peperomia clusiifolia: Peperomia
Chlorophytum comosum: Spider plant
Howea belmoreana: Sentry palm
Spathiphyllum wallisii: Peace Lily
Schefflera arboricola: Hawaiian Elf Schefflera Codiaeum variegatum: Croton
Calathea roseopicta: Peacock Plant Aspidistra elatior: Cast Iron Plant
Maranta leuconeura: Prayer Plant Dracaena fragrans: Corn Plant Ficus
elastica: India Rubber Plant Dieffenbachia seguine: Dumbcane Philodendron
scandens: Philodendron Syngonium podophyllum: Nephytis, Arrowhead Vine
Epipremnum aureum: Pothos Pelargonium graveolens: Rose Geranium (Ward Upham)
