Odor Absorbing Indoor Plants: Pros and Cons

Indoor plants can be a great way to add natural beauty to your home. But did you know that certain plants can also help absorb unpleasant odors? It’s true – some indoor plants are surprisingly effective at removing smells from the air.

In this article, we’ll explore the top odor absorbing indoor plants, looking carefully at the pros and cons of each. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about using plants to control smells inside. Read on to learn which fragrant indoor plants can leave your home smelling fresh and clean!

Spider Plant

Pros:

• One of the best plants for filtering out formaldehyde, which is found in things like cleaning solutions, toilet paper, tissues and personal care products
• Removes xylene and toluene, pollutants commonly found indoors
• Easy to care for and propagate by dividing clusters of spiderettes
• Fun, unique appearance with long arching leaves

Cons:

• Doesn’t directly absorb smells like smoke or food odors
• Needs bright, indirect light to thrive indoors

Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue)

Pros:

• Top plant for filtering out airborne toxins like formaldehyde, xylene and toluene
• Especially effective against nasty fumes released from varnishes and solvents
• Tolerates low light conditions
• Hard to kill, perfect for beginner gardeners

Cons:

• Doesn’t directly absorb odor molecules
• Grows slowly and won’t proliferate to fill a large space quickly

English Ivy

Pros:

• NASA rated it excellent for removing airborne fecal particles like those from cat litter boxes
• Also absorbs benzene, formaldehyde, xylene and toluene
• Trailing vine growth makes it perfect for hanging baskets
• Can be planted in soil or trained to climb decorative trellises and poles

Cons:

• Toxic to kids and pets if leaves or berries are consumed
• Needs ample humidity and bright, indirect sunlight to thrive

Peace Lily

Pros:

• Excellent for eliminating traces of acetone, alcohol, benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and toluene
• Known to combat indoor air pollution by up to 60%!
• Lovely white blooms appear in spring and summer
• Low maintenance tropical plant

Cons:

• All parts of the peace lily are poisonous if ingested by kids or pets so caution is required

Florist’s Chrysanthemum

Pros:

• Found by NASA to absorb benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and ammonia
• Mums make cheerful, long-lasting indoor bouquets
• Wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes to choose from
• Give as gifts or use as holiday centerpieces

Cons:

• Not as effective at removing pollutants as other indoor plants
• Generally used as a cut flower and discarded after blooming

Read More: About How To Repot Peace Lily

Garden Mum

Pros:

• Absorbs ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde and xylene very effectively
• Adds warm color to indoor spaces in autumn when blooming
• Inexpensive, hardy perennial to plant in outdoor gardens
• Blooms late in the season when few fall flowers remain

Cons:

• Not commonly grown as a long term indoor plant or houseplant
• Some varieties have allergenic pollen

Foxglove

Pros:

• Soaks up benzene particles that accumulate indoors from oils, paints, tobacco smoke and detergents
• Features elegant, bell-like blooms in a variety of gorgeous colors
• Adds gorgeous style to indoor nooks and shelves

Cons:

• The entire foxglove plant contains toxins that can be fatal if ingested
• Needs special winter care and goes dormant after flowering

Golden Pothos

Pros:

• Effective remover of formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and benzene
• Trails beautifully from hanging baskets
• Cascades impressively around shelves and railings
• Thrives in low light areas
• Super easy care and propagation

Cons:

• Toxic if leaves are ingested by children or pets

Red-Edged Dracaena

Pros:

• Dracaena marginatas are superb for stripping xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde particulates from indoor air
• Distinctive red-edged foliage adds unique visual interest
• Handles low light environments extremely well
• Tolerates occasional neglect or drying out between waterings

Cons:

• Poisonous to pets and people if leaves are chewed or eaten

Barberton Daisy

Pros:

• Extremely effective at absorbing benzene and formaldehyde
• Cheerful daisy flowers bloom prolifically indoors
• Does well in containers for tabletops or hanging baskets
• Enjoyable for novice gardeners due to fast growth and easy care

Cons:

• Prefers very bright light so can be challenging to site suitably indoors
• Odors from flowers may bother those sensitive to scents

Chinese Evergreen

Pros:

• Aglaonema species soak up immense amounts of benzene as well as formaldehyde, toluene and xylene too
• Striking green and white or silver color variations exist
• Tolerates extreme shade and low light gracefully
• Adds lush tropical flair to desks and tables

Cons:

• Contains insoluble calcium oxalates that may cause skin irritation for sensitive individuals

Bamboo Palm

Pros:

• Excellent removers of benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and xylene
• Adds the serene, zen quality of an indoor bamboo with handsome palms
• Graceful arching leaves create visual drama without taking too much space
• Does very well in low to bright indirect light

Cons:

• Occasional yellowing of leaves indicates it dislikes overly dry soil

Heart Leaf Philodendron

Pros:

• Shown by NASA to battle air pollution extremely effectively
• Delicate, deep green leaves with signature splits add tropical charm
• Trails beautifully in hanging containers
• Can be trained up a moss stick or trellis for added visual appeal

Cons

• Contains insoluble calcium oxalates which may irritate skin
• Toxic to curious pets if leaves are consumed

Elephant Ear Philodendron

Pros:

• Cheerful, lush and fast growing making it a fun indoor plant
• NASA approved for removing formaldehyde, especially around insulation and electronics
• Trails well along shelves
• Large, tropical leaves add drama to desks, tables and counters

Cons:

• All parts are poisonous if ingested causing painful swelling and irritation of mouth and throat

Boston Fern

Pros:

• Extremely effective at combating formaldehyde which is common in cleaning products, toilet papers, tissues and personal care items
• Lacy fronds have an elegant, delicate texture not replicated in other houseplants
• Does well in hanging containers or set on plant stands
• Removes considerable amounts of xylene and toluene too

Cons:

• Requires more light and humidity than most indoor spaces provide naturally

Kimberly Queen Fern

Pros:

• Excellent absorption of atmospheric formaldehyde around insulation, plywood and electronics
• Soft, arching fronds and chartreuse color unique among indoor ferns
• More compact and manageable size than Boston fern

Cons:

• Needs bright, indirect light plus ample humidity to thrive
• Can be challenging for inexperienced indoor gardeners

Corn Plant (Dracaena Massangeana)

Pros:

• Dracaenas rated tops by NASA for removing xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde
• Adds fun vertical form interest with strappy green and yellow variegated leaves
• Tolerates extremely low light environments
• Great floor plant to tuck into ignored corners or fill problem areas

Cons:

• Toxic to pets, especially cats and dogs, if leaves are chewed on

Janet Craig Dracaena

Pros:

• Wonderfully effective in absorbing formaldehyde, often found indoors in insulation, plywood, electronics and fabrics
• Also soaks up xylene, ethanol and toluene gases
• More compact and attractive than standard corn plants
• Thrives even in low light and with occasional neglect

Cons:

• Poisonous to curious pets that nibble on leaves

Florist’s Mum “Yellow Star”

Pros:

• These chrysanthemums soak up massive amounts of benzene and ammonia
• Blooms for months as a spectacular indoor bouquet or potted plant
• Adds bright, fresh color for autumn and early winter months
• Inexpensive way to enjoy beautiful blooms year round

Cons:

• Not as hardy or effective at removing pollutants as other houseplants
• Discarded after flowering period is over

Warneckii Dracaena

Pros:

• Shown in studies by NASA to absorb formaldehyde, xylene, toluene and trichloroethylene
• Handles low light with aplomb and adjusts well to indoor conditions
• Interesting white markings on leaves brighten up darker corners
• Compact growth habit takes up less space than other dracaena

Cons:

• Poisonous to children and pets if leaves are munched on

Dendrobium Orchids

Pros:

• Dendrobium nobile orchids soak up massive amounts of xylene, toluene and formaldehyde gases
• Exotic, gorgeous blooms that perfume rooms beautifully
• Bloom profusely several times per year with proper care
• Add tremendously glamorous style to indoor spaces

Cons:

• Require very specific care and environments to thrive and rebloom
• NotBeginner friendly houseplants

Read More: About Why Does My Peace Lily Smell Bad?

Purple Waffle Plant

Pros:

• Extremely effective at absorbing formaldehyde from sources like insulation and construction materials
• Visually striking rippled purple leaves make amazing accent plants
• Trails beautifully from mixed containers and hanging baskets

Cons:

• Poisonous foliage really limits options for placement
• Needs very bright light to maintain best coloration

Rubber Plant

Pros:

• Effective at removing formaldehyde from insulating materials and wood products
• Also absorbs other toxins like xylene, toluene and benzene
• Large, shiny leaves in dark green or burgundy add lush tropical style
• Withstands lower light and drier air better than other Ficus plants

Cons:

• Produces mild latex that can irritate sensitive skin
• Toxic to pets if leaves are chewed on

Variegated Snake Plant

Pros:

• Striking yellow leaf margins provide stellar visual contrast
• Extremely resilient and adaptable to indoor conditions
• Filters gases like formaldehyde, xylene, toluene and benzene
• Great for contemporary and minimalist room styles

Cons:

• Slow growing so can’t quickly multiply to filter larger areas

Cast Iron Plant

Pros:

• Soaks up benzene and chemical byproducts from furniture polish very effectively
• Nearly indestructible formulation can withstand dark corners or bright windows
• architectural style adds drama without flowers or fuss
• Tolerates benign neglect for traveling homeowners

Cons:

• Very slow growing and propagates extremely gradually
• Must ingest large quantities to harm pets

Ficus Alii

Pros:

• Excellent formaldehyde and xylene absorber, especially around furniture
• Distinctive slim, willowy leaves and branches add delicate texture
• More compact and versatile than a Ficus tree with braided trunk options
• Does very well in low to moderate light levels

Cons:

• Weeping branches drop lots of leaves which frustrates some owners

Devil’s Ivy (Pothos)

Pros:

• Top notch removers of airborne formaldehyde and benzene
• Gorgeous variegated varieties brighten up dark corners
• Trails spectacularly from bookshelves, rails and hanging pots
• Nearly impossible to kill and adapts well to low humidity

Cons:

• Rapid growth needs occasional pruning back
• Toxic to curious pets who ingest leaves

Chinese Evergreen Silver Bay

Pros:

• Leaves distinctly edged in silver strip xylene, benzene and formaldehyde
• Elegant variegation pattern livens up tabletops and office spaces
• Withstands remarkably low light and adapts well to indoor conditions
• Fun, versatile houseplant great for beginners or pros!

Cons:

• Occasional sensitivity reaction from sap for sensitive skin types

Madagascar Dragon Tree

Pros:

• Super adaptation for stripping xylene, toluene and benzene gases
• Unique architectural shape works with modern, Asian and bohemian decors
• Thrives beautifully in low to bright indirect light
• Lives hundreds of years when cared for properly!

Cons:

• Slow growing means limited ability to multiply quickly

Parlor Palm

Pros:

• Excellent absorption capacities for trichloroethylene, xylene and formaldehyde
• Dark green fronds have tropical flair without huge size
• More compact and manageable than other palm varieties
• Quite inexpensive and easy find at garden outlets

Cons:

• Tiny yellow flowers on mature plants can bother those sensitive to fragrances

Alternative Odor Control Ideas

Beyond odor absorbing plants, some additional natural ideas to make indoor air smell fresher include:

Baking Soda

Baking soda placed in small plates, cups or bowls around the home helps soak up moist smells lingering in fabrics and carpets.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal pads made specifically to absorb odors effectively combat smells from litter boxes, gym sneakers, basements and bathrooms.

White Vinegar

White vinegar is excellent at removing bad scents from laundry, kitchen counters, floors and walls. It works to permanently remove smells rather than simply masking them.

Beeswax Candles

Natural beeswax candles give off a tiny hint of honeyed sweetness when burned. Beeswax also helps neutralize other unpleasant smells in a room.

Hydrogen Peroxide

As hydrogen peroxide breaks down, one of the gasses it emits is oxygen. Allowing a shallow bowl of it to sit out can help freshen up stale indoor air.

Scented Dryer Sheets

Simply tuck scented linen sprays or dryer sheets under shelves, in dresser drawers, between mattresses, behind sofas or any hidden home scent traps.

Air Purifiers

Portable air purifiers offer the most consistent and powerful odor removal for whole rooms or entire homes without need for maintenance. Their special filters trap various smelly compounds.

So try experimenting creatively with different odor eliminating plants and efficient odor absorbers to conquer challenging indoor smells! Pay special attention to plant species that scored highly in NASA air cleansing studies for top effectiveness. With some simple strategies, you can easily banish unpleasant smells.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Smelly indoor air can really diminish the comfort and enjoyment of living spaces. But thankfully there are many effective options available to tackle unpleasant odors in eco-friendly ways. Certain houseplants possess almost magical abilities to strip away odor molecules using just their leaves and soil. Strategically placing a few key houseplant varieties can dramatically improve the freshness of indoor air.

Combine good airflow, natural odor absorbers and air purifying plants to create homes that smell as beautiful as they look. Give some NASA approved plant heroes a try and let nature clean naturally while you enjoy their gorgeous green foliage and flowers!