As you shop houseplants you might see certain plants advertised as “air purifiers.” If you’ve ever wondered if houseplants are really an effective way to purify the air, then the answer is yes!

Indoor plants have been proven to remove cancer-causing volatile organic compounds, like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. While most plants purify the air, the bigger and leafier plants are most effective. In July of 1989, NASA actually did a study with common houseplants like English ivy, peace lilies, snake plants, spider plants, and more! They found there was a huge decrease in toxins in the air. In short, they generally recommend two “good-sized” plants for every 100 square feet of space. Something like Boston ferns or pathos would work great and look great!

However, according to us, there is no such thing as too many plants, so why stop at two?