In 1989, NASA evaluated as a possible means of reducing indoor air pollutants. Plants help to remove high concentrations of indoor air pollutants such as cigarette smoke, organic solvents.

NASA recommends two or three plants for every 100 square feet. Some plants are better at removing certain chemicals than others.

Apart from air purification, plants are also known to:

• increase mood and productivity
• enhance concentration and memory
• reduce stress and fatigue

Below are top air purifier plants:

1: Money Plant

Featured by NASA, the Money Plant is renowned for its ability to remove chemicals and other pollutants from the air, specifically benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. However, despite the benefit of its high purification rate, this plant is toxic to cats, dogs, and small children if its leaves are ingested.

2: Spider Plant

For those of you who are houseplant newbies, the resilient spider plant is a perfect choice. It will quietly battle toxins including carbon monoxide and xylene, a solvent used in the printing and rubber industries. If you have pets, this is one of the few houseplants that are non-toxic to animals.

3: Boston Fern

This easy-to-grow fern is known for its sword-shaped fronds which makes it perfect for a hanging basket or pedestal. The Boston Fern thrives in humid environments and requires consistent moisture. Keep them happy with regular misting, moist soil and position them in indirect sunlight near windows, balconies and patios. In winter cut the fronds back by around 2-inches to help regenerate and grow in the warmer months.

4: Song Of India

This is a hardy decorative houseplant, native to Madagascar, Mauritius, and other islands of the Indian Ocean. The dracaena reflexa, Song of India, has yellow stripes on short, narrow, pointed green leaves that are spirally arranged on the stem and tufted at the branch ends.

5: Snake Plant

The snake plant, also called mother in law’s tongue. Sansevieria are evergreen perennials that can grow anywhere from eight inches to 12 feet high. Their sword-like leaves are approximately two feet long. The foliage is stiff, broad, and upright, in a dark green color variegated with white and yellow striping. They are famous for their ability to survive in the most unsuitable growing conditions. They are also renowned for their qualities that help purify the air we breathe. Since they produce oxygen mainly at night, snake plants make for a great bedroom companion.Toxins removed; formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, benzene and xylene.

6: Aloe Vera

The cactus-like succulent aloe vera belongs to the genus of the liliaceous plants. The plant is either stem-less or very short-stemmed (stem up to 25 cm long) with an average about 20 leaves in a straight, dense rosette. The leaves grow to up to 40 – 50 cm long and 6 – 7 cm wide. The leaves are rather thick, fleshy, water retaining; concave on the top side, grey-green often reddish and young plants are often speckled. The underside of the leaf is convex with a pale pink rim that is dressed with 2 mm long thorny teeth spaced at every 10 – 20 mm. One leaf can weigh as much as 1.5 to 2 kg. The succulent leaf of the aloe is an adaptation to the very dry conditions of its habitat. The roots of the aloe are relatively short and lay flat embedded in the earth.

7: Kalanchoe

The Kalanchoe plant has fleshy leaves which retain water very well, much like a cactus plant. Because of this, they should not be watered too frequently. The flowers which the plant produces are colourful and very long lasting. Most varieties of Kalanchoe will also produce very small plantlets around the margins of the larger leaves and these can be used to cultivate new Kalanchoe plants.