Suffering from allergies and asthma is no joke! If you are one of the unfortunate people who does suffer, then you know that pollen and air pollution can aggravate your symptoms. Oh, the sneezing, the wheezing, the itchy eyes and itchy skin. It’s annoying, and nobody wants those miserable side effects. The good news is that there’s a simple, natural way to breathe easier at home: indoor plants.
Most Americans these days spend most of their time indoors, and while there is a plethora of toxins outdoors, there’s a truckload of toxins lurking inside your home too. New energy-efficient homes are amazing, but they’re more airtight, which means they hold in more indoor air pollution — not great news for allergy and asthma sufferers. There are medicines that can help, but there are also more natural ways to aid in alleviating your symptoms.
How, you ask? Indoor plants. Yes, you read that correctly — plants! There are many indoor plants that can help you breathe easier by purifying the air in your home.
Breathe Easier: How Indoor Plants Purify Your Home’s Air
Here is a list of toxins that houseplants remove from the air during their amazing purifying process:
Common Indoor Air Toxins
Toluene
This colorless, water-soluble liquid smells similar to paint thinner. It’s used as a paint lacquer thinner and in dyeing agents and fuel. It’s also found in nail polish remover, glues and correction fluids.
Xylene
This colorless liquid and vapor has many uses but is commonly used as a lubricant. It’s found in paint, paint thinners, polishes, waxes, gasoline, motor oils, glues and even cigarettes. It can also be found in disinfectants, pesticides, and in printer, rubber and leather processing.
Carbon Monoxide
A well-known odorless, colorless gas that can be deadly. It’s formed when fuels aren’t fully burned.
Formaldehyde
A naturally occurring colorless, strong-smelling gas commonly used in making building materials and household products. It’s found in particleboard, fiberboard, plywood and adhesives, and is also used to treat paper bags, paper towels, napkins and tissues. It’s even used as a preservative in funeral homes and medical labs.
Benzene
Another commonly used chemical, formed from natural processes such as forest fires and volcanoes. It’s a colorless liquid with a sweet odor. Benzene is mainly used in making other chemicals such as plastics, lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs and pesticides. It also occurs naturally in crude oil, gasoline and cigarette smoke.
Trichloroethylene
A colorless, volatile liquid used mainly in commercial applications. Its function is to remove grease, and it can also be found at the dry cleaners for spot removal and in some aerosol cleaning products.
Because the toxins above can trigger allergic reactions or aggravate sinuses, adding hypoallergenic houseplants to your interior will help alleviate your symptoms. Even if you don’t suffer from allergies, houseplants lower pollen count and offer other beneficial effects inside your home.
9 Indoor Houseplants That Improve Air Quality and Help you breathe easier

1. Golden Pothos
This plant is rated in the top three by NASA for removing formaldehyde. While it helps purify the air, it’s toxic to humans and animals, so keep this plant out of reach of little humans and fur babies!
2. Philodendron
This plant is also great at controlling levels of formaldehyde. It’s mildly toxic to humans and animals as well.

3. Gerber Daisy
This beautiful flower comes in an array of vibrant colors and is great for filtering out benzene, among other toxins. It also removes trichloroethylene and is not poisonous to humans or animals — the perfect indoor plant.

4. Dracaena
This attractive plant removes multiple toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and carbon dioxide. It also pulls allergens out of the air and holds them in its leaves. It can be mildly toxic to pets if ingested, especially small pets, and while it’s not known to be toxic to humans, it could cause a reaction in those with heightened sensitivities if ingested.

5. Peace Lily
This popular plant cleans formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and benzene from the air, as well as absorbing mold spores. These plants are toxic to humans and pets, so keep them out of reach!

6. Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue)
Another popular indoor plant, the snake plant removes toxins such as nitrogen oxide, benzene, xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde. This one is also toxic to humans and pets!
7. Areca Palm
Gorgeous and larger in size, the Areca Palm is known to remove formaldehyde, xylene and toluene. It’s a natural humidifier that can help improve nasal congestion and irritation. This palm has no known toxic properties, making it safe for homes with children and pets!

8. Lady Palm
This palm is very similar to the Areca Palm in that it removes formaldehyde, xylene and toluene from the air in your home. It also removes ammonia, making it a great houseplant for homes with cats. There are no known toxic properties with this plant.

9. Bamboo Palm
This talented and attractive indoor plant does an air transformation, converting carbon monoxide into oxygen. It also removes formaldehyde, benzene and toluene. There are no known toxins associated with this palm, making it great for homes with children and pets!
Caring for Your Air-Purifying Plants
Now that you have your list of indoor plants to pick up, remember to dust your new leafy friends with mild soap and water so they can continue to filter the air effectively and help you breathe easier.
Extra Protection With Trane CleanEffects™
In addition to your indoor plants, sometimes you need just a bit more protection. Advanced Air is proud to carry the revolutionary Trane CleanEffects™ air filtration system. Check it out to see how it can drastically improve the air quality in your home or business.
We Love Serving Our Neighbors

At Advanced AC, we love helping our fellow citizens stay cool and comfortable. We know how demanding local summers can be. We also know how stressful HVAC problems feel when temperatures soar.
That’s why we take pride in honest service, dependable work, and friendly care. We love making people happy by restoring comfort quickly. Nothing beats seeing relief replace frustration.
Our team proudly serves homeowners and families across Bossier, Benton, Haughton, and Shreveport.
Whether you need maintenance, repairs, or expert advice, we are ready to help. When summer starts showing off, Advanced Air Conditioning & Heating is ready to answer.
Related Articles:
Trane Comfort Specialist
Advanced Air Conditioning and Heating is a Trane Comfort Specialist-an independent Trane dealer of the highest standing, committed to being the best in every aspect of its business, from installation and service to customer satisfaction and employee training.
Not every dealer qualifies as a Trane Comfort Specialist, but rather only those that meet Trane’s stringent standards and demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction and continued education. We are committed to keeping up to date with Trane’s latest technology, ensuring that you receive a system that is designed to achieve maximum efficiency, reliability and comfort-and a system that delivers the efficiency ratings promised and you expect.





