Oxygen is required for survival. The cells and major organs in our body must take in oxygen in order to function properly.
Therefore, plants generally play a key role in human survival because they are mass producers of oxygen out into the world. This explains why the air we breathe is often fresher and cleaner near trees, forests, and other areas of large vegetation.
While most plants give off oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis, there are some that are more efficient at it than others. There are also some that are easy to maintain that make for great indoor plants to help purify the air in your home.
In this article, we’ve listed the highest oxygen-producing plants to use in your home. So, keep reading if you want to learn more.
1. Boston Fern
The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a popular houseplant that is known for its air-purifying abilities. This tropical plant is native to swampy areas in the southeastern United States, so it thrives in humid environments.
This is an excellent plant for filtering out formaldehyde, which is a common indoor pollutant. Formaldehyde can be released from building materials, cleaning products, and even some types of furniture.
Researchers found that the Boston fern was very effective at removing formaldehyde from the air.
It is also one of the best plants for increasing humidity, which can be beneficial for people suffering from dry skin or sinus problems.
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2. Weeping Fig
The weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) is a popular indoor plant that is also great at purifying the air we breathe. It is native to Southeast Asia and India, but it can now be found in homes all over the world.
This plant is especially good at removing pollutants like xylene and toluene from the air. Toluene is a chemical that is released from paint thinners and other solvents, while xylene is found in cigarette smoke and gasoline fumes.
A study done by NASA found that the weeping fig was able to remove both xylene and toluene from the air.
This makes it an excellent choice for people who are looking to improve the air quality in their homes.
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3. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is a succulent that is native to Africa, but it is now grown all over the world. This plant is known for its medicinal properties and has been used to treat everything from burns to constipation.
It is also known for its air-purifying abilities and is often used as a natural air freshener. Studies found that aloe vera was effective in removing formaldehyde from room air.
Aloe vera is a low-maintenance plant that does not require a lot of water or sunlight to thrive. This makes it an ideal choice for people who are looking for an easy-to-care-for plant that can purify the air and produce more oxygen in their homes.
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4. Spider Plant
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are common houseplants that are native to Africa and Asia. It gets its name from the long leaves that branch out from the center of the plant, which resemble the appearance of a spider.
Researchers found that these plants are effective at removing both carbon monoxide and xylene from the air.
They are also very easy to care for and can thrive in both low and bright light conditions.
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5. Gerbera Daisy
Gerbera daisies (Gerbera jamesonii) are a type of flower that is native to South Africa. These beautiful flowers come in a wide variety of colors, including white, pink, yellow, and orange.
A study found that gerbera daisies were effective at removing benzene from the air. Benzene is a chemical that is found in tobacco smoke and gasoline fumes and can be harmful to our health if we are exposed to it for too long.
Gerbera daisies are also known for their ability to increase oxygen production in a room. This makes them an excellent choice for people who want to improve the air quality in their homes.
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6. Areca Palm
Areca palms (Dypsis lutescens) are a type of tropical plant that is native to Madagascar. These plants are often used as decoration in homes and office buildings.
They are also known for their ability to purify air and remove harmful chemicals, which is a claim that has been supported by multiple studies.
Areca palms require a lot of sunlight to thrive, so they may not be the best choice for people who live in cooler climates. However, if you live in a warm climate and are looking for a beautiful, oxygen-producing plant, the Areca palm is an excellent choice.
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7. Peace Lily
Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum wallisii) are a type of flowering plant that is native to South America. These plants are known for their white flowers and their ability to increase the production of oxygen in a room.
Researchers believe that peace lilies are effective because their large leaves are able to absorb more carbon dioxide and convert it into oxygen.
They have also been shown to remove harmful chemicals from the air, which makes them another great, beautiful plant that you can consider adding to your home or office.
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8. Golden Pothos
Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a type of vine that is native to islands of the South Pacific. It’s a popular, low-maintenance houseplant found in the homes of many people around the world.
Pothos has been shown to remove harmful chemicals from the air.
This plant is one of the largest consumers of carbon dioxide, which means that it’s also one of the largest producers of oxygen.
Golden pothos is another great choice for people who are looking for an easy-to-care-for plant, which is why we had to include it here on our list.
This golden pothos plant is easy to care for and only requires about 1-cup of water per week.
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9. Money Plant
Chinese money plants (Pilea peperomioides) are a type of plant that is native to Southwestern China. It gets its name from the round, coin-shaped leaves that resemble the appearance of money.
One study found that these plants were effective at removing harmful VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) from air.
Money plants are also known for their ability to produce a large amount of oxygen. In fact, researchers found that they can even produce oxygen at night, unlike other types of houseplants.
This makes them a great choice to keep in your bedroom so that they can produce oxygen while you sleep.
The Chinese money plant is beautiful and easy to maintain inside your home.
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10. Snake Plant
Snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) are native to Africa and Asia and are known for their tall, green leaves that have a striped pattern. This is where the plant gets its name, as the leaves resemble the skin of a snake.
Snake plants are one of the best houseplants for producing oxygen. In fact, they are often used in hospitals and nursing homes because they can help to improve air quality for sick patients.
They have also been shown to remove harmful chemicals from the air, making them another great choice for people who want to improve the air quality in their homes.
The snake plant not only looks great, but it’s great at producing oxygen.
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FAQ
What are the Highest Oxygen-Producing Plants?
The highest oxygen-producing plants include Boston ferns, weeping figs, aloe vera, spider plants, gerbera daisies, areca palms, peace lilies, golden pathos, money plants, and snake plants.
We covered each type of plant in more detail in the sections above. However, these are the plants that you should consider adding to your home if you want to improve the air quality and increase the amount of oxygen that is being produced.
What Type is the Most Oxygen-Giving Plant?
The most oxygen-giving plant is the Boston fern. This plant has large leaves that are able to absorb a lot of carbon dioxide and convert it into oxygen.
The Boston fern is also known for being one of the best plants for removing harmful chemicals from the air. These two factors make it the best choice for people who want to improve the air quality in their home.
What Plant is Good for the Bedroom?
The best plant for the bedroom is the snake plant. This type of plant produces oxygen at night, which can help to improve the air quality for people who are sleeping.
The snake plant is also known for being one of the best plants for removing harmful chemicals from the air. These two factors make the snake plant a great choice for people who want to improve the air quality in their bedroom.
Do Plants Produce Oxygen in the Winter?
Plants do not produce oxygen in the winter because they are not able to photosynthesize. This is because there is not enough sunlight during the winter months for plants to convert into energy.
However, some plants such as snake plants and Boston ferns are known for producing oxygen at night. This means that they can still help to improve the air quality in your home even during the winter months.
Do All Plants Produce Oxygen?
No, not all plants produce oxygen. In fact, some plants, such as cacti and succulents, actually produce carbon dioxide.
This is because these plants are not able to photosynthesize. However, they still play an important role in the environment by helping to regulate the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air.
Do Plants Actually Purify Air?
Yes, indoor plants can purify air, which is a claim supported by multiple studies. However, some researchers believe that the effects aren’t very noticeable.
This means that while plants can help improve air quality, they shouldn’t be your only method for purifying the air in your home.
You should also make sure to ventilate your home and use an air purifier if you want to achieve the best results.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a plant to help purify the air in your home or office, we recommend choosing one from our list above. All of these plants are known for their ability to produce oxygen and even remove harmful chemicals from the air.
Additionally, they are easy to maintain, which makes them great plants to add throughout the rooms of your home.
While the purifying benefits are debatable amongst some researchers, it definitely wouldn’t hurt to add a touch of nature and beauty to your home. Thanks for reading and, as always, breathe easy, my friend.
Written by:
John Landry, BS, RRT
John Landry is a registered respiratory therapist from Memphis, TN, and has a bachelor's degree in kinesiology. He enjoys using evidence-based research to help others breathe easier and live a healthier life.
References
- “9 Drought-Tolerant Plants for Any Outdoor Space.” Home Guides | SF Gate, homeguides.sfgate.com/drought-tolerant-plants-outdoor-13771625.html.
- Wolverton, B. “Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement – NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS).” NTRS – NASA Technical Reports Server, 15 Sept. 1989, ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19930073077.
- “Breathe Plant Breathe: A Study of CO2 Conversion in Plants.” NASA/ADS, ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016AGUFMED41A0801W/abstract.
- “Purification Effects of Golden Pothos and Peace Lily for Indoor Air-Pollutants and Its Application to a Real Environment.” NASA/ADS, 2005, ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2005IJTSM.125..118S/abstract.