Air Purifying Indoor Plants Philippines: NASA-Backed Guide

The NASA Clean Air Study and Philippine Homes

Air purifying indoor plants in the Philippines can remove harmful chemicals from the air inside your home. NASA's Clean Air Study, conducted in 1989, tested dozens of common houseplants for their ability to filter volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from sealed environments. The results showed that certain plants actively absorb toxins through their leaves and roots.

Philippine homes face specific indoor air quality challenges. Traffic pollution seeps in through windows. New furniture releases formaldehyde. Cleaning products add benzene and ammonia to indoor air. Air-conditioned rooms recirculate the same air for hours. Plants alone will not replace proper ventilation, but they measurably reduce pollutant levels and add fresh oxygen.

The good news is that most of NASA's top performers are tropical plants that grow naturally in Philippine conditions. You do not need to buy expensive imported varieties. These 12 plants are widely available at local plant shops for affordable prices.

Pollutant Removal Comparison

This table shows which pollutants each plant removes, based on NASA's research. The more toxins a plant filters, the more effective it is as an air purifier.

Key takeaway: Peace lily is the most effective single air purifier, removing all five major indoor pollutants. If you want maximum air cleaning with minimal plants, start with a peace lily and add pothos or snake plant.

12 Air Purifying Plants for Philippine Homes

1. Pothos

Pothos removes formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and xylene from indoor air. It grows in any light condition and tolerates neglect. Place it on a high shelf and let the vines trail down. One of the cheapest and most effective air purifiers available.

• Removes: Formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene
• Care: Very easy. Water when soil is dry.
• Best placement: Living room shelf, kitchen, bedroom
• Pet safe: No

Full guide: Pothos care guide

2. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

Snake plant filters formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and xylene. It also releases oxygen at night, making it ideal for bedrooms. It survives in low light and needs water only every 2 to 3 weeks. One of the hardiest air purifiers you can own.

• Removes: Formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene
• Care: Very easy. Water every 2 to 3 weeks.
• Best placement: Bedroom, bathroom, office
• Pet safe: No

Full guide: Snake plant care guide

3. Peace Lily

Peace lily is the single most effective air purifying plant in the NASA study. It removes all five major indoor pollutants: formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, ammonia, and xylene. It flowers indoors with elegant white blooms and thrives in low-light Philippine rooms.

• Removes: Formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, ammonia, xylene
• Care: Easy. Droops when thirsty (visual reminder).
• Best placement: Bedroom, bathroom, living room
• Pet safe: No

Full guide: Peace lily care guide

4. Spider Plant

Spider plant removes formaldehyde and xylene from indoor air. It produces baby plantlets that give you free new plants to spread around your home. Completely safe for cats and dogs. A great starter air purifier that grows fast in Philippine conditions.

• Removes: Formaldehyde, xylene
• Care: Very easy. Adaptable to most conditions.
• Best placement: Hanging planter, shelf, kitchen
• Pet safe: Yes

Full guide: Spider plant care guide

5. Rubber Plant

Rubber plant is a powerful formaldehyde remover with thick, glossy leaves that look stunning in any room. It grows into an impressive floor plant and handles moderate to low light conditions. Water every 1 to 2 weeks and wipe leaves monthly to maintain their shine.

• Removes: Formaldehyde
• Care: Easy. Tolerates some neglect.
• Best placement: Living room corner, office
• Pet safe: No

Full guide: Rubber plant care guide

6. Boston Fern

Boston fern removes formaldehyde and xylene while adding moisture to dry, air-conditioned rooms. Its lush, cascading fronds look beautiful in hanging baskets. It needs more attention than other plants on this list, preferring consistent moisture and humidity.

• Removes: Formaldehyde, xylene
• Care: Moderate. Needs consistent moisture and humidity.
• Best placement: Bathroom, shaded porch, hanging basket
• Pet safe: Yes

Full guide: Boston fern care guide

7. Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)

Aglaonema removes formaldehyde and benzene while adding a burst of colour to your home. Available in dozens of varieties from deep green to pink and red. It handles low light beautifully and thrives in the Philippine humidity. One of the most forgiving air purifiers.

• Removes: Formaldehyde, benzene
• Care: Easy. Tolerates low light and irregular watering.
• Best placement: Living room, bedroom, office desk
• Pet safe: No

Full guide: Aglaonema care guide

8. Dracaena

Dracaena removes formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and xylene. It grows tall and narrow, fitting neatly into corners. Multiple varieties are available in the Philippines, with Dracaena marginata and Dracaena fragrans being the most common and affordable.

• Removes: Formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene
• Care: Easy. Water every 1 to 2 weeks.
• Best placement: Living room corner, hallway, office
• Pet safe: No

Full guide: Dracaena care guide

9. Areca Palm (Bamboo Palm)

Areca palm removes formaldehyde and xylene while acting as a natural humidifier. It releases moisture through its fronds, which benefits dry, air-conditioned Philippine homes. A mature areca palm can release up to a litre of water into the air daily.

• Removes: Formaldehyde, xylene
• Care: Easy. Prefers bright indirect light and regular watering.
• Best placement: Living room, bedroom, balcony (shaded)
• Pet safe: Yes

Full guide: Areca palm care guide

10. Fittonia (Nerve Plant)

Fittonia removes formaldehyde from indoor air. Its striking veined leaves come in white, pink, and red patterns. It stays compact, making it perfect for terrariums, desks, and small spaces. It prefers humidity, so it thrives in Philippine bathrooms and kitchens.

• Removes: Formaldehyde
• Care: Moderate. Needs consistent moisture and humidity.
• Best placement: Bathroom, kitchen, terrarium, desk
• Pet safe: Yes

11. Philodendron

Philodendron removes formaldehyde from indoor air and grows vigorously in Philippine conditions. Heartleaf philodendron is the most common variety. It trails like pothos and handles low light well. Extremely easy to propagate from cuttings in water.

• Removes: Formaldehyde
• Care: Very easy. Grows in most conditions.
• Best placement: Shelf, hanging basket, climbing on a moss pole
• Pet safe: No

Full guide: Philodendron care guide

12. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera removes formaldehyde and benzene from indoor air. It releases oxygen at night, making it a good bedroom plant. Place it on a sunny windowsill. Bonus: the gel inside the leaves has medicinal properties for burns and skin care.

• Removes: Formaldehyde, benzene
• Care: Easy. Let soil dry completely between waterings.
• Best placement: Windowsill with morning sun, kitchen
• Pet safe: No

Full guide: Aloe vera care guide

Where to Place Air Purifying Plants

Strategic placement maximises the air cleaning effect of your plants. Here is where to put them for the best results in a Philippine home:

• Bedroom: Snake plant and peace lily release oxygen at night. Place 2 to 3 plants near your bed for better sleep quality. See our bedroom plants guide.
• Living room: Place larger plants like areca palm, rubber plant, and dracaena in corners. Add trailing pothos on shelves. Aim for 4 to 6 plants in a standard living room.
• Kitchen: Spider plant and pothos handle kitchen heat and humidity. Place them on top of cabinets or in hanging planters away from the stove.
• Bathroom: Boston fern, fittonia, and peace lily love bathroom humidity. Place them on windowsills or shelves where they get indirect light.
• Home office: Aglaonema, snake plant, and philodendron filter toxins from computer monitors and office furniture. Keep one or two plants within arm's reach of your desk.

How Many Plants Do You Need

NASA recommends one air purifying plant per 9 square metres (roughly 100 square feet) of floor space. Here is a practical guide for typical Philippine home sizes:

• Studio condo (20 to 25 sqm): 3 to 4 plants
• 1-bedroom condo (30 to 40 sqm): 4 to 6 plants
• 2-bedroom unit (50 to 70 sqm): 6 to 8 plants
• Townhouse or house (80+ sqm): 10 or more plants

Spread plants across multiple rooms rather than clustering them in one area. Each room benefits from having at least one air purifying plant. Combine with proper ventilation by opening windows when air quality outside is good.

Frequently Asked Questions