25 Best Indoor Plants Which Produces Most Oxygen
Trees are man’s best friend. Even if you forget to water or care for it for a few days, don’t forget to give it oxygen until it dies. Therefore, you can plant a tree inside your house. Besides, indoor plants not only enhance the beauty of your space but also purify the indoor air by filtering pollutants from the air. If you want to surround yourself with greenery, the 25 indoor plants mentioned below improve the air quality in your home while increasing oxygen levels at night or during the day.
Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Areca palm is the highest oxygen-producing plant. Therefore, the areca palm is one of the best indoor plants for oxygen. This green-looking plant improves indoor air quality by filtering toxins from the air like toluene, formaldehyde, and xylene.
Native or origin: Madagascar
Family: Arecaceae
Scientific name: Chrysalidocarpus lutescens
General name: Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Common names: Bamboo palm, Butterfly palm, Cane palm, Golden yellow palm, etc.
Color: Green color with small yellowish flowers and greenish-yellow to orange fruits.
Toxicity: Areca palm is non-toxic to pets and humans. However, keep it out of the reach of children.
Care Tips: Prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and water when the soil is dry.
Snake Plants
Snake plants are popular indoor plants because they purify indoor air. Therefore, it helps to improve indoor air quality by filtering out toxic substances such as benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, xylene, and trichloroethylene. Importantly, these are the plants that give oxygen at night.
Native or Origin: West Africa
Scientific Name: Dracaena trifasciata
General Names: Snake Plant
Common Name: Snake plant, Mother-in-law plant, Mother-in-law’s tongue
Color: Features long, sword-like leaves with green and yellow variegation. The flower color is white.
Toxicity: Mildly toxic to pets and humans if ingested. Then, it can cause nausea, vomiting, or gastrointestinal problems.
Care Tips: Thrives in indirect light, and water when the topsoil is dry, and prefers moderate humidity.
Philodendron
The Philodendron is a versatile indoor plant known for improving air quality by removing toxins such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. Additionally, this is one of the best oxygen plants. Furthermore, it is also known for its ease of care, making it a popular choice for novice and experienced plant enthusiasts.
Native or Origin: Tropical Americas
Scientific Name: Philodendron hederaceum
Common Name: Philodendron
General Names: Heartleaf philodendron, Sweetheart plant
Color Variety: Typically green leaves, but some varieties feature variegated leaves with shades of yellow, cream, or white.
Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans if ingested, causing irritation and swelling.
Care Tips: Thrives in indirect light, and water when the topsoil is dry, and prefers moderate humidity.
Spider Plant
The spider plant is a popular indoor plant that releases oxygen at night. This houseplant is moderately fast-growing and can grow to about 12 to 18 inches tall. The mature plants regularly have small, star-shaped flowers. If these flowers are fertilized, a small fruit is formed. However, once the flowers are shed, small plants form in their place, which can eventually grow their roots into new plants.
Native or Origin: Central and South Africa
Family: Asparagaceae
Scientific Name: Chlorophytum comosum
Common Name: Spider Plant
General Names: Airplane plant, Ribbon plant, Spider ivy.
Color: Green or variegated leaves with white or cream stripes.
Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and humans.
Care Tips: Thrives in indirect light, and water when the topsoil is dry, and prefers moderate humidity.
Peace Lily
Peace lily is a flowering evergreen tropical plant of the genus Spathiphyllum that is famous for its ability to improve indoor air quality. Thus, it is one of the best plants for indoor oxygen. This plant is also known for its attractive white flowers and green leaves. Additionally, a healthy lily can flower twice a year. There are many types of quiet lilies in this genus, but in this genus, the leaves of quiet lilies are large, shiny, and oval. Along with this, it matures in about three years.
Native or Origin: Tropical Americas and Southeast Asia
Family: Araceae
Scientific Name: Spathiphyllum spp
Common Name: Peace Lily
General Names: White sails, Spathe flower, Spath lily
Color Variety: Dark green leaves with white, spoon-shaped flowers.
Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans if ingested.
Care Tips: Prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and water when the soil is dry.
Bamboo Palm
The Chamaedorea seifrizii is commonly known as the bamboo palm. These plants are other good indoor plants for oxygen production. Along with oxygen production, this plant purifies the indoor air. Part of the reason for its popularity is that it does not require full sun to thrive. Besides, a bamboo palm grows well in partial sun or shade, well-drained soil, and temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Native or Origin: Central America and Mexico
Family: Arecaceae
Scientific Name: Chamaedorea seifrizii
Common Name: Bamboo Palm
General Names: Reed palm, Clustered parlor palm
Color Variety: Green fronds with a feather-like appearance.
Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and humans.
Care Tips: Thrives in indirect light, and water when the topsoil is dry, and prefers moderate humidity.
Rubber Plant
The rubber plant is a popular indoor plant known for its air-purifying properties, making it a great choice for improving indoor air quality. Additionally, this plant is a favorite houseplant for its broad, shiny, emerald-colored leaves and impressive growth rate. Inside the house can be more than six feet long. However, it grows up to 100 feet tall in its natural habitat. But stay careful, as rubber tree sap is toxic to dogs and cats.
Native or Origin: South Asia
Scientific Name: Ficus elastica
Common Name: Rubber Plant
General Names: Indian rubber tree, Rubber plant.
Color Variety: Deep green or burgundy-colored leaves, with some variegated varieties featuring shades of yellow or cream.
Toxicity: Toxic to cats and dogs.
Care Tips: Prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and water when the soil is dry.
Dracaena (Dracaena spp.)
The Dracaena plant is well known for its bold, architectural foliage and ability to purify the air by removing toxins. The leaves of this plant are diverse and rainbow-colored. Additionally, this versatile plant can be grown in various indoor conditions. The grass-shaped leaves of the plant extend one or more thick, cane-like main stems. They grow in bright, indirect light, even in low light. Most of the houses are under 8 feet tall. However, some dracaena plants grow to 20 feet or more in the local tropical environment.
Native or Origin: Asia, Africa, and Australia
Family: Asparagaceae
Scientific Name: Dracaena spp.
General Name: Dracaena
Common Names: Dragon tree, Corn plant, Ribbon plant
Color: Green leaves, often with stripes of white, cream, or yellow.
Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans if ingested, causing vomiting and drooling in pets.
Care Tips: Prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and water when the soil is dry.
Boston Fern
The Boston fern is a classic indoor plant that purifies indoor air by filtering toxins such as formaldehyde and xylene from the air. Also, it is well-known as a sword fern for its feathery fronds. In addition, this fern enriches the air with oxygen, making it breathable. Along with this, it increases the humidity in the room. These plants need a lot of water and soil rich in peat moss. This perennial plant can grow up to 4 feet tall and 6 inches wide in many tropical regions.
Native or Origin: Americas, Africa, Polynesia
Family: Lomariopsidaceae
Scientific Name: Nephrolepis exaltata
General Name: Boston Fern.
Common Names: Sword fern, Fishbone fern, Ladder fern, Boss fern
Color: Bright green fronds
Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and humans.
Care Tips: Thrives in indirect light, and water when the topsoil is dry, and prefers moderate humidity.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a popular houseplant known for its medicinal properties. It enhances indoor air quality by filtering toxic substances such as formaldehyde and benzene and providing oxygen at night. During its growing season, this plant produces thorny flowers in shades of yellow, red, or orange. Additionally, there are more than 300 species of aloe vera. Afterward, the soothing gel from its fleshy lance-shaped leaves is commonly used to relieve sunburn and other skin irritations.
Native or Origin: Africa
Family: Asphodelaceae
Scientific Name: Aloe vera
General Name: Aloe Vera
Common Names: Burn plant, Lily of the desert
Color: Green, fleshy leaves with serrated edges
Toxicity: Mildly toxic to pets if ingested, causing vomiting and diarrhea.
Care Tips: Prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and water when the soil is dry.
Gerbera Daisy
Gerbera daisy is a soft perennial and indoor ornamental plant. Importantly, this plant provides oxygen at night and contributes to a healthier indoor environment. The flowers are brightly colored and come in our varieties: single flower, semi-double flower, double flower, and spider flower. Moreover, the plant blooms in 14 to 18 weeks and continues to flower throughout the summer.
Native or Origin: South Africa
Family: Asteraceae
Scientific Name: Gerbera jamesonii
General Name: Gerbera Daisy
Common Names: Gerbera daisy, Transvaal daisy, African daisy, Barberton daisy,
Color: Vibrant flowers in colors like red, orange, yellow, and pink
Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and humans.
Care Tips: Thrives in indirect light, and water when the topsoil is dry, and prefers moderate humidity.
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Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)
Lady palm can remove the most harmful indoor air-polluting chemicals like ammonia, formaldehyde, and xylene. This makes it a popular houseplant. On the stem, there are winged and shiny green leaves. Along with this, each leaf has five to eight narrow, lance-shaped segments. Furthermore, it likes low light. Inside, it is about 6 to 15 feet long.
Native or Origin: Asia
Family: Arecaceae
Scientific Name: Rhapis excelsa
General Name: Lady Palm
Common Names: Bamboo palm, Broadleaf lady palm, Bamboo palm, Fan tufted palm.
Color: Dark green, fan-shaped leaves
Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and humans.
Care Tips: Prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and water when the soil is dry.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese evergreen is a tropical perennial plant with several varieties. Additionally, this plant is known for its striking foliage and oxygen production. The leaves are large, shiny, lance-shaped, green, silver, white, red, purple, and cream, with various color combinations. In addition, indoor plants rarely produce flowers. Importantly, Aglaonema is believed to bring luck, prosperity, and success in the Chinese practice of Feng Shui.
Native or Origin: Asia
Family: Araceae
Scientific Name: Aglaonema commutatum
General Name: Chinese evergreen.
Common Names: Philippine evergreen, Poison Dart Plant
Color: Variegated green leaves with silver, cream, or red
Toxicity: Toxic to pets.
Care Tips: Prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and water when the soil is dry.
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
The parlor palm is well known for its lush, tropical flowers. This plant purifies and cleanses toxic substances from the air. Additionally, it maintains humidity and provides an attractive touch of tropical flowers. Furthermore, it grows best in bright, indirect sunlight, well-drained soil, and acidic to neutral soil. However, maintain temperatures between 65 ° F and 75 ° F in tropical or inland conditions.
Native or Origin: Mexico, Guatemala
Family: Arecaceae
Scientific Name: Chamaedorea elegans
General Name: Parlor Palm
Common Names: Neanthe bella palm, Dwarf mountain palm
Color: Green fronds
Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and humans.
Care Tips: Prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and water when the soil is dry.
Cast Iron Plant
The cast iron plant is an incredibly tough indoor plant, with a reputation as a no-nonsense, hard-to-kill houseplant. Additionally, this plant can grow well in low-light, shady gardens, and fluctuating temperatures without regular watering and minimal care. Furthermore, this plant has arched, lance-shaped, deep green leaves up to 2 feet long and 4 inches wide. Besides, this plant improves indoor air quality by filtering out common air pollutants.
Native or Origin: Japan, Taiwan
Family: Asparagaceae
Scientific Name: Aspidistra elatior
General Name: Cast Iron Plant
Common Names: Barroom plant, Iron plant, Bar room plant
Color: Dark green, glossy leaves
Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and humans
Care Tips: Prefers low to medium light, water sparingly, and can tolerate dry conditions.
Corn Plant
The corn plant is a tropical African evergreen tree known as Dracaena fragrans. It is a popular indoor plant due to its attractive leaves and ease of care. Furthermore, this plant grows fairly slowly, has lance-shaped leaves, and often has yellow or cream stripes. It removes toxic substances such as formaldehyde from the environment and adds oxygen. It is known for its air purification properties.
Native or Origin: Tropical Africa
Family: Asparagaceae
Scientific Name: Dracaena fragrans
General Name: Corn Plant
Common Names: Cornstalk plant, Dragon tree, Dracaena, False palm
Color: Green leaves, sometimes variegated with yellow or cream
Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans.
Care Tips: Thrives in indirect light, and water when the topsoil is dry, and prefers moderate humidity.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos, or devil’s ivy, improves the air quality of a house by filtering out pollutants from the indoor air such as benzene, xylene, and toluene. Also, it is a fast-growing plant. Often, it reaches around 12 to 18 inches in length in a month. Besides, the leaves of this plant are heart-shaped with green, white, yellow, or pale green stripes, which looks beautiful. Moreover, you can grow this plant by placing it in a pot or hanging basket next to the balcony or window.
Native or Origin: Asia Pothos, Golden Pothos, Devil’s Vine, Devil’s Ivy
Family: Araceae
Scientific Name: Epipremnum aureum
General Name: Pothos
Common Names: Golden Pothos, Devil’s vine, Devil’s ivy, Golden pothos, Ceylon creeper
Color: Green leaves, often variegated with yellow or white
Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans. If ingested, irritating the mouth and throat.
Care Tips: Prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and water when the soil is dry.
Ficus plant or Weeping fig
The weeping figs are known as the common ficus plants. Also, these plants are evergreen indoor plants for oxygen. Importantly, this plant can effectively remove harmful indoor air-polluting chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Furthermore, it grows well in tropical and subtropical climates. Moreover, it can grow well in filtered, bright sunlight and well-drained potting soil. Besides, ficus trees live from 20 to 50 years, so it is known for longevity.
Native or Origin: Asia, Australia
Common Name Weeping fig, ficus tree, Benjamin fig
Family: Moraceae
Scientific Name: Ficus benjamina
General Name: Ficus plant
Common Names: Weeping fig, Benjamin fig, Ficus tree.
Color: Glossy, green leaves
Toxicity: Toxic to pets
Care Tips: Prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and water when the soil is dry.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The attractive glossy, oval, deep green leaves of ZZ are used for decoration in the garden or office. In addition, ZZ plants filter toxins, including benzene, xylene, and toluene, from the air inside the home. Therefore, this plan adds oxygen and improves indoor air quality. Moreover, this plant does not require much time for maintenance.
Native or Origin: Eastern Africa
Family: Araceae
Scientific Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia
General Name: ZZ Plant
Common Names: Zanzibar gem, Zuzu plant
Color: Dark green, glossy leaves
Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans.
Care Tips: Prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and water when the soil is dry.
English Ivy
English ivy is an evergreen, perennial, versatile, and fast-growing plant. It is a woody vine, which generally reduces indoor air pollution. Additionally, this plant effectively removes formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds from indoor air. The best time to plant it is spring. Also, English ivy is easy to care for and can be grown in hanging baskets or as a soil cover.
Native or Origin: Europe, Scandinavia, Russia
Family: Araliaceae
Scientific Name: Hedera helix
General Name: English Ivy
Common Names: Common Ivy, European Ivy
Color: Dark green leaves, often variegated with white or yellow
Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans. If ingested, causing stomach upset and skin irritation
Care Tips: Prefers bright, indirect light, humid environment, keep the soil evenly moist.
Golden Pothos
Golden pothos is an excellent choice for farmers due to its attractive variety of leaves and low maintenance requirements. It is also known as Devil’s Ivy. Additionally, it purifies the air very effectively by removing contaminants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene from the indoor air. Furthermore, Golden Pothos is very easy to propagate and can be grown in pots or hanging baskets. Moreover, this perennial plant often grows 12 to 18 inches in a month.
Native or Origin: Asia
Family: Araceae
Scientific Name: Epipremnum aureum
General Name: Golden Pothos
Common Names: Devil’s ivy, Ceylon creeper, Pothos, Devil’s vine.
Color: Green leaves with yellow or white variegation
Toxicity: Toxic to pets.
Care Tips: Thrives in low to medium light, dry air, and water when the soil is dry.
Heartleaf Philodendron
Heartleaf Philodendron is an evergreen plant that is fairly slow-growing but long-lived. It has heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines, making it a popular houseplant to provide beauty and easy care throughout the year. That’s why it’s called the sweetheart plant. In addition, it is an excellent air-purifying plant that removes toxic substances such as formaldehyde from the indoor environment. Furthermore, it is easy to care for, adapt to every light condition, and live for decades.
Native or Origin: Central America and the Caribbean
Family: Araceae
Scientific Name: Philodendron hederaceum
General Name: Heartleaf Philodendron
Common Names: Sweetheart plant, Heart leaf, Heart-leaf philodendron.
Color: Glossy green leaves
Toxicity: All philodendron species contain calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate the human mouth and digestive disturbances. Therefore, it is toxic to pets and humans, if ingested.
Care Tips: Prefers bright, indirect light, low humidity, and water when the soil is dry.
Calathea
Calathea plant has attractive stripes and veins; thus, it is often known as zebra plant, peacock plant, or rattlesnake. Furthermore, it is a popular indoor plant for its beautiful leaves. The interesting thing is that its leaves fold at night. Therefore, it is also referred to as a “prayer plant.” They usually reach maturity within a year. They are best planted in the spring. However, this plant is not only for decoration but also an excellent air purifier.
Native or Origin: Central America, South America
Family: Marantaceae
Scientific Name: Calathea spp.
General Name: Calathea
Common Names: Prayer plant, Cathedral windows, Prayer plant, Zebra plant, Rattlesnake plant, Peacock plant.
Color: Green leaves with patterns of white, pink, or purple
Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and humans
Care Tips: Prefers low to medium light, keep the soil moist and high humidity.
Nerve Plant
The nerve plant is known for its attractive venous leaves with silver-white, red, pink, white, and green-colored veins. A wide-ranging evergreen perennial with finely veined, deep-green, ovate leaves makes a popular choice for indoor spaces. Besides, these veins form a unique network across all leaves; thus, it is called a “nerve plant.” Furthermore, this plant typically grows 3 to 6 inches and extends 12 to 18 inches. This plant is not only decoration but also helps to improve indoor air quality by absorbing toxic substances.
Native or Origin: Tropical rainforests of South America
Family: Acanthaceae
Scientific Name: Fittonia albivenis
General Name: Nerve Plant
Common Names: Mosaic plant, Painted net leaf, Fittonia,
Color: Green leaves with white, pink, or red veins
Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and humans
Care Tips: Prefers low to medium light, moist soil, and high humidity.
Orchid
Orchids are well known for their beautiful flowers and variety of colors. There are thousands of orchid species; the best-selling orchids are Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Dendrobium, and Cymbidium. They are popular as houseplants and bloom for several months. Additionally, orchids can improve indoor air quality by filtering out toxins and adding a touch of elegance to any space.
Native or Origin: North America, South America, Central America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Caribbean.
Orchid, moth orchid, corsage orchid, boat orchid
Family: Orchidaceae
Scientific Name: Orchidaceae
General Name: Orchid
Common Names: Phalaenopsis or Moth orchid, Corsage orchid, Boat orchid, Cattleya, Dendrobium, etc. Color: Wide range of colors, including white, pink, purple, yellow, and more
Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and humans
Care Tips: Prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and water when the soil is dry.
FAQ
Do plants need oxygen?
Yes, plants need oxygen to maintain their metabolism. The plants can release energy after breaking down food with the help of oxygen. Furthermore, they use oxygen for new cell and tissue formation. Therefore, oxygen is essential for the plant’s growth. Moreover, it is required for the germination of plant seeds. Besides, they consume oxygen at night to break down stored sugars for energy.
Which plant gives more oxygen?
The peach lily gives more oxygen. Thus, this plant is known as the flagship plant of mass oxygen production. Also, due to its high air purifying capability, NASA recommended it. Additionally, this plant can maintain indoor humidity.
What plants produce the most oxygen?
Areca palm, snake plant, Boston fern, Chinese evergreen, and jade plant are known as the most oxygen-producing plants.
Do plants give oxygen at night?
Yes, plants give oxygen at night. Such as spider plants, aloe vera, snake plants, orchids, etc. They continuously produce oxygen at night. Therefore, these plants are excellent choices for bedrooms.
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