The well-known NASA Clean Air Study examined whether certain indoor plants could help remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from enclosed environments such as homes, offices and commercial spaces.Philodendron oxycardium – Heart leaf philodendronPhilodendron domesticum – Elephant ear (low concentrations)Philodendron selloum – Lacy tree philodendronChlorophytum elatum – Green spider plantScindapsus aureus – Golden pothosAglaonema modestum (written as Aglonema) – Chinese evergreenAloe veraBrassaia arboricola – Mini-scheffleraSpathiphyllum 'clevelandii' – Peace lilyPeperomia obtusifolia – PeperomiaDracaena fragrans 'massangeana' – Corn plantSansevieria trifasciata – Mother-in-law tongueGerbera jamesonii – Gerbera daisyChrysanthemum morifolium – MumsOyster PlantSpathiphyllum mauna loa – Peace lilyDracaena deremensis 'Warneckei' – WarneckeiDracaena marginata – MarginataChamaedorea seifrizii – Bamboo palmDracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig' – Janet CraigDracaena fragrans 'Massangeana' – Corn plantDo Indoor Plants Really Clean the Air?While the NASA study helped popularise the idea of using houseplants for indoor air purification, its findings came from controlled experimental conditions. Real-world homes have ventilation, air exchange and other factors that can significantly affect indoor pollutant levels.Therefore, houseplants can be a pleasant addition to indoor spaces and may offer well-being benefits, but they should not replace proper ventilation, source control or appropriate air-cleaning equipment when indoor air pollution is a concern.