Air-Purifying Office Plants: 9 Species According to NASA Research
NASA tested it in the 1980s for space stations. The conclusion applies to your office too: the right plant species actively remove toxic compounds from the air — measurably.
Why office air quality matters
The average employee spends 8–10 hours a day in the office. Yet indoor air can be up to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air — due to emissions from furniture, carpets, printers, cleaning products and building materials.
The most common pollutants in offices:
- Formaldehyde — furniture, carpets, adhesives, laminate flooring
- Benzene — printers, copiers, plastics, paints
- Trichloroethylene — cleaning products, adhesives, ink
- Xylene and toluene — computer printers, markers, fillers
- Ammonia — cleaning products, printers
NASA Clean Air Study: what it found
In 1989, NASA published a study led by Dr. Bill Wolverton (Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement). The goal was to find natural ways to clean air in hermetically sealed space stations.
The result: certain plant species, together with their root microorganisms, remove toxic organic compounds from the air with measurable efficacy. Plants absorb these compounds through leaves and roots, converting them into nutrients or breaking them down.
NASA recommendation: 1 medium-sized plant per 10 m² of office space for a noticeable effect on air quality.
9 most effective species for offices
1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) — the resilient workhorse
Removes: formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, trichloroethylene
Ideal for: dark spots without natural light, shelves, corridors
Care difficulty: ⭐ (minimal)
Golden pothos is probably the most resilient office plant there is. It survives even in dark corridors, tolerates irregular watering and grows quickly. Trailing stems also help reduce CO₂ levels.
2. Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) — the night shift cleaner
Removes: formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene
Ideal for: reception areas, meeting rooms, hallways
Care difficulty: ⭐ (extremely low)
Snake plant is unique in that it produces oxygen even at night (CAM metabolism). This makes it ideal for enclosed rooms without windows. Watering just once every 2–4 weeks is sufficient.
3. Dracaena (Dracaena deremensis) — the paint fighter
Removes: trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, xylene
Ideal for: offices with new furniture, areas near printers
Care difficulty: ⭐⭐ (low)
Dracaena is one of the most effective plants for removing trichloroethylene — a compound released from coatings and office ink. It reaches 180 cm in height and creates a striking visual element.
4. Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) — the classic performer
Removes: formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene
Ideal for: bright offices, entrance halls
Care difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (medium — dislikes being moved)
One of the most effective air cleaners overall, but requires a stable spot with natural light. Once settled, it works reliably for years. Ideal for representative spaces.
5. Chrysanthemum — seasonal powerhouse
Removes: benzene, formaldehyde, ammonia, xylene
Ideal for: offices with new carpets or furniture
Care difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (medium — needs light)
Chrysanthemum is surprisingly effective at removing benzene — a typical emission from new carpets and plastics. Being a flowering plant, it also adds an aesthetic dimension.
6. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) — the all-round cleaner
Removes: benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, ammonia
Ideal for: bathrooms, darker offices, corridors
Care difficulty: ⭐⭐ (low)
Peace lily ranks among the top 3 most effective plants in the NASA study. It removes the widest spectrum of pollutants, flowers without direct light, and signals when it needs watering — leaves droop slightly when thirsty.
7. Aloe vera — the air monitor
Removes: formaldehyde, benzene
Ideal for: sunny windowsills, reception areas, lab spaces
Care difficulty: ⭐ (minimal)
Aloe vera has an interesting property: when chemical concentrations in the air are high, brown spots appear on the leaves — it acts as a natural pollution indicator. Watering just once every 2–3 weeks is sufficient.
8. Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) — colour and performance
Removes: benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene
Ideal for: bright offices, reception areas, meeting rooms
Care difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (medium — needs direct light)
Gerbera is one of the few flowering plants in the NASA research. It adds a colourful accent while also producing oxygen at night. Ideal for representative spaces where you want visual impact.
9. Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Removes: formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene
Ideal for: large open spaces, atria, foyers
Care difficulty: ⭐⭐ (low)
Bamboo palm is one of the most effective formaldehyde removers. It reaches 1.8–3 m in height and is ideal for large spaces where other plants lack sufficient mass. It also naturally humidifies the air.
Practical calculations for your office
| Office area | Recommended plant count | Estimated rental cost |
|---|---|---|
| 20–50 m² | 2–5 plants | 580–2,450 CZK / month |
| 50–150 m² | 5–15 plants | 1,450–7,350 CZK / month |
| 150–500 m² | 15–50 plants | 4,350–24,500 CZK / month |
Prices based on Verdino pricing — 290–1,290 CZK per plant per month depending on size. Regular care and replacements included.
Limitations of the NASA study: what to keep in mind
The NASA study was conducted in hermetically sealed chambers with relatively small air volumes. In a real office with ventilation and higher air volume, the effect of plants on air quality is less dramatic, but still measurable and scientifically supported.
More recent research (University of Birmingham, 2022) clarifies that for a significant cleaning effect in a standard room, you would need an extremely high density of plants. The real benefit comes from a combination of factors: reduced CO₂, air humidification, noise reduction, and the positive psychological impact of a green office.
Summary: plants alone will not dramatically transform your air quality, but as part of a system (ventilation + filtration + greenery) they are demonstrably beneficial — and their impact on employee wellbeing is undeniable.
How to get started easily
At Verdino you can book a free consultation during which we recommend species based on your space: light conditions, presence of printers, new furniture or carpets. We deliver, place and take care of regular maintenance.
Summary: which species to choose
- Dark office without windows: Pothos, Snake plant, Peace lily
- Office with new furniture / carpets: Chrysanthemum, Dracaena, Bamboo palm
- Representative spaces: Weeping fig, Gerbera daisy, Bamboo palm
- Minimal care: Pothos, Snake plant, Aloe vera
Sources: NASA Technical Report NASA-TM-101766 (1989), Wolverton BC et al.; University of Birmingham study (2022); Plants for Human Health Institute research.