Most Effective CO2 Absorbing Houseplants Proven by Science

1. Bird’s Nest Fern

Botanical Name: Asplenium nidus

A highly potent plant to reduce the CO2 footprint indoors, the Bird’s nest fern can reduce the concentration of CO2 from 2000 ppm to a safe 800 ppm at an average of 1.984 ppm·h−1 (per pot).

The plant is also quite effective in reducing the levels of HCHO from 2 ppm to the safe level of 0.1 ppm, at an average of 0.003 ppm·h−1 (per pot).

2. Snake Plant

Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata

According to this study done at Naresuan University, Thailand, the snake plants can absorb CO2 at 0.49 ppm/m3 in the closed chambers, making them quite effective in curbing down the CO2 levels from indoor air.

3. Succulents and Cacti

Cactus and succulents are robust in removing airborne bacteria and also absorb CO2 at night while releasing oxygen. They lose less water by opening stomata during the night time.

4. Prayer Plant

Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura

According to this study, the prayer plant can absorb 71.67 ppm CO2 in a closed room, when tested at 300 or 700 lux of light intensity. The plant performs exceptionally well when the light intensity is increased to absorb CO2 effectively.

5. Dumb Cane

Botanical Name: Dieffenbachia

When it comes to absorbing carbon dioxide, the dumb cane does this efficiently by reducing it to 23.90 percent in a closed chamber. According to a Malaysian study, the initial CO2 was 436 ppm, which reduced to 332 ppm after the final reading.

6. ZZ Plant

Botanical Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia

This versatile plant is low-maintenance and adaptable in nature. According to NASA Clean Air Study, the ZZ plant can efficiently clean the indoor air by absorbing harmful pollutants like carbon dioxide, xylene, and toluene from the surroundings.

7. Pothos

Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum

This air-purifying, low-maintenance houseplant efficiently absorbs CO2, as mentioned in this Malaysian study. In another research on three houseplants – pothos, spider plant, and snake plant summarize that these plants can absorb ozone, which is a common air pollutant.

8. Anthurium

Botanical Name: Anthurium andraeanum

In accordance with this Malaysian study published in the Asian Research Publishing Network Journal in September 2016, Anthurium can absorb 21.20 percent CO2 from the air. Initial CO2 was 467 ppm and the final reading was 368 ppm.

9. Rubber Plant

Botanical Name: Ficus elastica

According to NASA Clean Air Study, rubber plants can remove carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide from the surroundings. Apart from that, they also filter formaldehyde and VOCs, making the indoor air much cleaner and healthier to breathe.

10. Jade Plant

Botanical Name: Crassula ovata

The Jade plant offers many benefits, and also follows CAM and absorbs CO2 even during the night, and improves the air quality. It performs photosynthesis during the day through the calvin cycle.

11. Arrowhead Plant

Botanical Name: Syngonium podophyllum

In a study done at UniversitiTun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Batu Pahat, the initial CO2 for the Arrowhead Plant was 433 ppm and the final reading was 333 ppm, indicating that the plant absorbed 23.10 percent CO2 overall in a closed test room.