10 Indoor Plants That Boost Air Quality In Illinois Homes
Living in Illinois means dealing with different seasons and lots of indoor time during those cold winters. Having plants inside your home isn’t just pretty – they can actually help clean your air!
Indoor plants work like natural air filters, removing harmful chemicals while adding oxygen. I’ve put together this list of the best air-purifying plants that thrive in Illinois homes throughout the year.
1. Snake Plant: The Bedroom Defender
Unlike most plants that release carbon dioxide at night, snake plants continue producing oxygen 24/7. I’ve kept one in my bedroom for years, and it thrives even when I forget to water it for weeks!
These tough plants with sword-like leaves filter formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from your air. Perfect for Illinois winters when windows stay shut and indoor air gets stale. They grow well in low light and need minimal care.
2. Peace Lily: The Shower-Loving Purifier
My peace lily sits in my bathroom where it soaks up the humidity from hot showers. Its glossy leaves and white flowers bring a touch of elegance while working overtime to clean my air.
Peace lilies excel at removing ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. They prefer the indirect light common in Illinois homes and will dramatically droop when thirsty – a perfect reminder for forgetful plant parents! Just keep them away from pets as they’re toxic if eaten.
3. Spider Plant: The Hanging Air Cleaner
Hanging by my window, my spider plant sends out babies that dangle like little spiders on strings. Kids love these plants because they grow so quickly and make new plants you can share with friends.
Spider plants fight benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and xylene. They adapt perfectly to Illinois’ changing seasons and humidity levels. As a bonus, they’re completely non-toxic to pets and children. Place them in hanging baskets where their arching leaves can cascade down beautifully.
4. Boston Fern: The Humidity Hero
During dry Illinois winters, Boston ferns do double duty by cleaning air and adding moisture. I keep mine on a pebble tray with water to boost humidity in my living room.
Boston ferns excel at removing formaldehyde and xylene while adding a touch of woodland charm to any room. Their feathery fronds need regular misting during winter when indoor heating dries out the air. With proper care, they grow into lush, full plants that make a big impact.
5. Rubber Plant: The Stylish Air Filter
My rubber plant has grown from a tiny houseplant to a statement piece over the years. Its glossy leaves catch the light beautifully while silently cleaning the air in my dining room.
Rubber plants efficiently remove formaldehyde from indoor air. They’re particularly suited to Illinois homes because they tolerate temperature fluctuations well. Their thick, leathery leaves need just a quick wipe down occasionally to keep them dust-free and maximizing their air-cleaning potential. They grow taller with time, becoming impressive focal points.
6. Aloe Vera: The Healing Air Cleaner
Beyond soothing sunburned skin, my kitchen aloe vera works as a living air quality monitor. When harmful chemicals rise in my home, tiny brown spots appear on its leaves – a natural warning system!
Aloe vera effectively filters benzene and formaldehyde, chemicals commonly found in cleaning products. Its succulent nature makes it perfect for Illinois homes where heating systems can create dry conditions. Place it in a sunny window and water sparingly, especially during winter months when growth slows down.
7. English Ivy: The Bathroom Champion
Growing along my bathroom shelf, English ivy thrives in the humid environment while tackling mold spores in the air. Its trailing vines create a waterfall effect that adds life to an otherwise plain space.
NASA studies show English ivy removes airborne fecal particles and fights formaldehyde. This makes it perfect for bathrooms in Illinois homes where ventilation might be limited during winter. The plant’s ability to reduce mold spores by up to 60% helps combat Illinois’ seasonal humidity issues that can affect indoor air quality.
8. Dracaena: The Colorful Toxin Fighter
My red-edged dracaena brightens my home office with its colorful foliage. When I bought my house, the previous owners were smokers, and this plant helped clear the lingering odors.
Dracaenas excel at removing cigarette smoke, trichloroethylene and xylene from the air. They come in various patterns and colors, adding visual interest to Illinois homes during gray winter months. These plants grow slowly but can reach impressive heights, making them perfect long-term companions that improve air quality year after year.
9. Golden Pothos: The Impossible-to-Kill Purifier
My golden pothos has survived three moves and countless instances of neglect, yet continues to grow and clean my air! Its heart-shaped leaves with yellow variegation brighten dark corners throughout the year.
Golden pothos removes carbon monoxide and formaldehyde with remarkable efficiency. It thrives in Illinois’ varying light conditions, from bright summer windows to dim winter corners. This vining plant can be trained up a pole or allowed to cascade from shelves. I’ve propagated cuttings to share with friends, spreading both beauty and better air quality.
10. Chinese Evergreen: The Low-Light Specialist
Tucked in my north-facing hallway where sunlight barely reaches, my Chinese evergreen still thrives and purifies the air. Its patterned leaves bring life to this dark space where most plants would fail.
Chinese evergreens filter benzene and formaldehyde while adding tropical flair to Illinois homes. They’re perfect for apartments or houses with limited natural light, especially during short winter days. As they mature, they may produce interesting flower spathes similar to peace lilies. Their tolerance for neglect makes them ideal for busy homeowners.
