5 Plants to Minimize Toxins & Maximize Productivity

Do you find your workplace increases your level of tiredness? Do you sometimes feel lethargic and unmotivated to get work done? If so, it’s likely due to the poor air quality in your workplace. Oftentimes the air in our homes or offices is full of toxins that we can’t see. These toxins can be harmful and have a direct effect on our health.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, air quality inside homes is often two to five times worse than it is outdoors. Air quality inside is found to be up to 1,000 times worse than outside after certain activities like painting. This is due to volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) found in paint, adhesives, and many everyday objects in the home. Exposure to this poor air quality can result in headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, which can lead to lower levels of productivity. Other cases of bad air quality and high toxicity levels are likely due to mold which can be hidden within the walls, again not visible to the eye. I know it sounds gross but believe it or not, it’s a common issue. It’s particularly common in older homes/buildings. If you notice signs of mold in your home or workplace, get it checked out.

In the meantime, what you should do, is invest in a few air purifying plants and feel the results. You would be surprised at the difference they make. After all, nature is our best friend. The trees outside provide oxygen, and we all know that oxygen keeps us breathing. Indoor plants aren’t so different, they also create oxygen and some even help with our indoor air quality. So, stick around if you want to learn about which plants you can use to purify your air and keep your world rocking.

Peace lily

The Peace Lily is one of our favorites. We have a few in our office. The reason we love it so much is that it’s LOW MAINTENANCE! NASA has it on their list of top air purifying plants. Unfortunately, they are harmful to cats and dogs if ingested. So please either keep them out of their reach or don’t own one at all. Don’t worry though, there are plenty more air purifying plants to choose from.

English Ivy

Yet another NASA approved plant ranking number five on their list. This plant is great at cleansing any benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air as well as reducing any mold. The care for this plant is quite simple. It only takes three easy steps. First, be sure to keep it at a constant temperature, second allow it to receive plenty of direct sunlight, and lastly water often with well-drained soil.

Devil’s Ivy

This Plant is beautifully green and looks good in every home! It is often found in hanging baskets, which is good if you have pets, as it can be harmful to them if ingested it’s also great if you have limited floor or desk space. To add to its great qualities, it is extremely easy to take care of, so long as you keep it close to a window, without direct sunlight shining down on it. Also, remember to keep the soil moist! As for its air-purifying benefits, NASA suggests it is quite good at cleansing the air of pollutants, such as benzene, xylene, and formaldehyde.

Flamingo Lily

If you’re looking to add a bit of color to your office or home the Flamingo Lily is the way to go. The pop of red in this plant is just enough to add a nice accent to any room. There are, however, a few downfalls to this plant. First, it’s not the easiest to grow indoors as it requires plenty of direct sunlight as well as a humid environment. The second downfall is that this plant is poisonous not only to pets but also to humans. So, please keep it out of children's reach. Otherwise, with some nice sun rays, the blooms will shine with their beautiful color and you can be prepared to appreciate the wonderful benefits it offers. According to NASA, the benefits are going to be extremely effective at removing any formaldehyde, ammonia, toluene, and xylene that may be hiding away in your home or office!

Red-Edged Dracaena

Finally, the Red-Edged Dracaena! This plant again is another one to keep away from animals as it’s toxic to them if ingested. However, if your space is animal-free then this plant is absolutely amazing. It is so rich with its beautiful green color. This plant can spice up any room. Add it to a stylish pot and voila, you’ve got yourself a nice decorative piece. It can grow up to 6 feet tall, so if you have high ceilings and a minimalist style going on this plant is perfect for you.

Not only is it beautiful, it is low-maintenance, all it takes is some indirect sunlight and slightly moist soil and you’re on your way to feeling all the benefits. Speaking of the benefits, NASA claims this plant is one of the most efficient at removing formaldehydes from the air. It is also great at removing other toxins including benzene, trichloroethylene, and xylene.


So, what are you waiting for! Get out there and get yourself some indoor plants. If you would like to know more about other beneficial indoor air purifying plants, check out NASA’s Clean Air Study.