Houseplants are not just green decorations for shelves, window sills, and that empty corner of the living room where something is currently sitting that probably shouldn't be there. Some plants can help improve indoor air quality by helping to filter certain volatile organic compounds, increasing air humidity, and creating a more pleasant living environment with their natural scent.
Of course: a potted plant won't miraculously save an apartment where broccoli has been cooking for three days and the trash can is running its own civilization. But in combination with regular airing, cleaning, and a little common sense, they can room plants a great natural ally against unpleasant odors. Here is a selection of ten plants that not only look good in the home, but also do something useful.
1. Golden Pothos: An Undemanding Air Purifier for Almost Any Corner
Golden potos (Epipremnum aureum) is one of those plants that survives almost anything – forgetful owners, less light, and the occasional existential crisis on a shelf. It does well in spaces with less natural light, making it suitable for hallways, offices, bathrooms, or kitchens.
Pothos is often cited as a plant that helps filter out some common indoor pollutants, including compounds that can come from cleaning products, paints, furniture, and building materials. Because it grows quickly and cascades over the edge of its pot, it’s also visually pleasing—like the Instagram influencer of houseplants, only less demanding.
Best place: living room, kitchen, hallway
Care: low to medium light, moderate watering
Attention: toxic to pets if bitten
2. Mother-in-law's tongue: a plant for people who forget to water
Mother-in-law's language respectively Sansevieria trifasciata is a legendary houseplant for a reason. It's incredibly hardy, needs very little water, and tolerates dry spaces well. If plants had a "least drama" category, mother-in-law's tongue would win hands down.
It is known for its ability to help reduce the presence of certain volatile organic compounds, such as formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene, which can be found in some cleaners, varnishes, paints, and furniture. Its upright leaves are elegant, minimalist, and suitable for modern apartments.
Best place: bedroom, office, living room
Care: little water, bright or semi-shady location
Bonus: great choice for beginners
3. Spathiphyllum: an elegant solution for a stuffy bathroom
Spathiphilus (Spathiphyllum), also known as the “peace lily”, is one of the most elegant houseplants. With its dark green leaves and white flowers, it has an almost hotel-like feel – as if your home suddenly knows what a “wellness ambiance” is.
Spathiphyllum can help reduce some compounds associated with unpleasant odors, including ammonia, which can be found in cleaning products or poorly ventilated spaces. Since it likes slightly higher humidity, it does well in a bathroom if it has enough light.
Best place: bathroom, living room, bedroom
Care: indirect light, regular watering
Attention: toxic to cats and dogs
4. Aloe vera: more than just first aid for burns
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) is best known as a natural skin care gel, especially after an overly ambitious sunbath. But this fleshy plant has another benefit: it can help reduce certain compounds found in paints, cleaning products, and household products indoors.
It grows best in a bright spot, such as a windowsill. Since it doesn't like excessive watering, it's a great choice for anyone who has a more Mediterranean attitude towards plants: lots of sun, little water, no panic.
Best place: kitchen, bedroom, bright bathroom
Care: lots of light, little water
Bonus: The gel from the leaves is useful for skin care, but use the plant carefully and thoughtfully.
5. English Ivy: A classic for shelves, hanging pots and fresh air
English ivy (Hedera helix) is an old classic that works well in hanging pots, on shelves or along a support. Its drooping tendrils add a romantic, almost British touch to the space – less “humid castle”, more “urban jungle with flavor”.
Ivy is known for its ability to help filter out formaldehyde, which can be found in some cleaning products, treated wood, and furniture, making it an interesting choice for spaces where you want to reduce the feeling of stuffiness and heavy air.
Best place: living room, hallway, bathroom
Care: bright to semi-shady location, moderate watering
Attention: not suitable for biting pets
6. Lemon balm: lemony freshness without artificial fresheners
Melissa (Melissa officinalis) is an aromatic plant with a delicate lemon scent that can be a very pleasant way to freshen up a room. Unlike some artificial air fresheners, its scent is not overpowering and doesn't act as if it's trying to cover up a crime in the kitchen.
It's great for the kitchen, dining room, or work area, as its scent creates a feeling of freshness and peace. You can also use it for tea, which is always a good argument when someone asks why you have the seventeenth plant on your windowsill.
Best place: kitchen, dining room, balcony, bright window sill
Care: bright place, regular watering
Bonus: also useful as an herb
7. Spider Plant: A Retro Plant That's Making a Comeback for a Reason
Spider web (Chlorophytum comosum) was once an almost obligatory resident of schools, offices and grandmother's living rooms. Today it is making a comeback - and rightly so. It is hardy, undemanding and very grateful for its upbringing.
Spider plant can help reduce the presence of certain pollutants in the air, including xylene and toluene. Because it quickly forms new shoots, it is easy to propagate. It practically produces new plants for you, which is the closest thing to passive income in the botanical world.
Best place: kitchen, living room, children's room
Care: indirect light, moderate watering
Bonus: considered non-toxic to pets
8. Bamboo palm: a tropical filter for dry and heavy air
Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) brings a tropical hotel feel to your space, even if you live in a studio apartment where the sofa and dining table are a bit too intimate. In addition to its appearance, it also helps to increase the humidity of the air.
It is often mentioned as a plant that can help reduce benzene and trichloroethylene, compounds that can be present in furniture, adhesives, coatings, and some industrial materials. It works especially well in living rooms and larger spaces, where it creates a more pleasant feeling of freshness.
Best place: living room, office, bedroom
Care: indirect light, regular watering
Bonus: helps to feel more humid air
9. Gerbera: a colorful flower that's not just for bouquets
Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) is one of the most photogenic plants on the list. Its vibrant blooms in yellow, pink, orange, or red instantly brighten up a space—and your mood. It's a great choice for anyone who wants more color without repainting half their home.
Gerbera is known for its ability to help filter out certain compounds like benzene and trichloroethylene. It likes lots of light, so place it where it will get plenty of sun. In a dark corner, it will quickly let you know that it didn't come to suffer.
Best place: bright living room, kitchen, window sill
Care: plenty of light, regular but not excessive watering
Bonus: beautiful decorative effect
10. Chrysanthemum: A blooming odor fighter
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) is not just a plant for autumn arrangements. Indoors, it can be a very effective decorative plant that helps freshen the air and bring color to the home.
It's often mentioned as a plant that can help reduce ammonia and other compounds that can appear in cleaning products and household products. However, it does require plenty of light and a bit more attention than the most unpretentious plants on this list. In short: it's beautiful, it's useful, but it's not exactly a cactus with a PhD in survival.
Best place: bright living room, kitchen, dining room
Care: plenty of light, regular watering
Attention: it can be toxic to pets
Plants help, but ventilation is still king
Houseplants can make your home more pleasant, fresher, and visually more alive. Some help reduce certain pollutants in the air, others naturally scent the space, and still others increase the feeling of humidity and freshness. But the best effect is achieved when you combine them with regular airing, cleaning textiles, emptying bins, and occasionally checking the refrigerator - that's where the stories that no plant wants to tell often begin.
For best results, choose plants according to space: put a spathiphyllum or ivy in the bathroom, a lemon balm or aloe in the kitchen, a mother-in-law's tongue in the bedroom, and a bamboo palm, pothos or spider plant in the living room. This will not only make your home more beautiful, but also fresher, healthier and much less dependent on artificial scents that promise a "spring breeze" but actually smell like the cleaning department of the supermarket.
