Air-Purifying Plants Aren't a Complete Myth

When people picture a houseplant, they usually imagine something green and leafy. The Barberton daisy breaks the mold with bright, cheerful blooms, and it was one of the flowering plants in NASA's original air study, the source of the benzene-and-formaldehyde claims you'll see attached to it. You can usually buy them already potted; if you're repotting, a mix of two parts peat to one part perlite works well. Keep the soil damp but well-drained, since it wilts fast if it dries out. Barberton daisies love bright light and do beautifully on a sunny windowsill. They're usually grown from seed, but you can also divide them at the root and replant.

Like other ivies, English ivy is low-maintenance and happy indoors. It likes generous watering, with consistently moist soil, and about four hours of direct sun a day; keep it out of intense heat so it doesn't wilt. It was another of the species in NASA's study. For best growth, use a well-draining pot with potting soil or a moisture-retaining soilless mix. Misting it weekly helps fend off spider mites. To propagate, take four- to six-inch cuttings of young growth in the fall and set them in soil; older cuttings often won't root.

The snake plant, sometimes called mother-in-law's tongue, is a tough, sculptural succulent. Like other succulents, it does some of its gas exchange at night, though not enough to change the air in your bedroom in any way you'd notice. It tolerates low, indirect light, which makes it an easy fit for a bedroom corner. Don't overwater it; the roots rot easily, so a free-draining pot with a soilless mix is ideal, and you should let the soil dry out almost completely between waterings. To propagate, cut a leaf into two- to three-inch pieces and set them about an inch deep in soil.

Chrysanthemums, or mums, bring a burst of color indoors and were also part of NASA's study. They want a well-draining pot and five or more hours of direct sun a day; potting soil topped with a little compost gives the best results. If you're planting several, space them 15 to 24 inches apart. Water about once a week, roughly an inch, until the top six inches of soil are saturated, and mulch to hold moisture. Pinch the growing tips back when shoots reach six inches, then pinch monthly until mid-July. Watch for aphids and mites, which insecticidal soap will handle.

Spider plants are nearly bulletproof, which makes them perfect for first-time plant owners, and they're safe around pets. Pot them in well-draining soil, give them indirect light, and they'll thrive. Water regularly but don't let the soil stay soggy, since they're prone to root rot, and keep them on the cooler side, around 55 to 65 degrees. General-purpose potting soil or a medium soilless mix suits them well. You only need to repot once a plant outgrows its container and watering gets difficult. They propagate easily: divide the mother plant, or pot up the little plantlets, called spiderettes, that dangle from it.

Peace lilies are easygoing and reward you with elegant white blooms. Water about once a week, taking care not to overwater, and add a slow-release fertilizer in spring to encourage flowering. Choose all-purpose soil in a free-draining pot, and repot each spring to refresh the soil. If a plant outgrows its pot, divide it, leaving several leaves on each new section.

Aloe vera earns its spot for its looks and its usefulness; the gel inside the leaves is a long-standing home remedy for minor burns and skin irritation. It's no cure-all, despite the reputation, and the air-cleaning claims don't hold up outside the lab. Aloe likes a warm, bright spot. Water only about once every three weeks, and even less in winter. A pot made of a material that wicks and drains moisture is ideal, along with a well-draining mix made for succulents. To propagate, divide the plant into a separate pot, and hold off on watering for at least a week after.

Flamingo lilies, or anthuriums, aren't as common as other houseplants, so their glossy red blooms stand out. They flower much of the year and love bright, indirect light, plus the humidity of a bathroom or kitchen. They do need more attention than most: water two to three times a week, plant them in equal parts peat moss, potting soil, and perlite in a well-draining pot, and feed monthly. Keep them happy and they'll reward you with near year-round color.

The broad lady palm thrives in humid rooms like bathrooms and kitchens. Full-grown ones can be pricey, so it's worth starting one from seed. Use African violet potting soil in a well-draining pot, and fertilize once in summer, no more than once a year. Let the soil dry to about an inch deep before watering, or two inches in fall and winter. When you do water, soak it thoroughly until it runs out the drainage holes.

Weeping figs can be wonderful but a little temperamental; they dislike any change to their routine. Give them rich, well-draining soil and a bright spot with plenty of indirect light. Like several plants here, they're prone to root rot, so keep the soil moist but never soggy, in a well-draining pot. They like humidity, too; a humidifier helps in the dry winter months. If growth stalls, the roots may be crowded, so consider repotting or taking stem cuttings to propagate.