UK Houseplant Week 2026: healthier homes & indoor air quality
January 8-14 2026 marks the UK’s Houseplant Week 2026, so we're shining a spotlight on the humble houseplant: powerful allies in improving the air quality of our homes. Many people spend long periods indoors during the winter, making this an ideal time to explore how indoor greenery supports wellbeing, reduces stress, and helps create healthier living spaces.
Indoor air can contain pollutants from everyday sources such as cleaning products and paint. Even furniture, curtains and carpets contain chemicals when they are made.
These chemicals, like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene sound really scary, but thankfully, a number of well documented studies, including the well known NASA Clean Air Study, show that some houseplants can help reduce some of these common household pollutants.
This week, we invite you to try a new plant, learn a care skill, or share a cutting with a neighbour, helping to grow healthier homes across our community.
Top Air‑Purifying Houseplants
Below is a list of some of the most effective air‑cleaning houseplants, based on research published in 2025.
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Why it’s powerful: Excels at filtering formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene; continues purifying at night.
2. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Why it’s powerful: Removes benzene, trichloroethylene, and mould spores; thrives in low light.
3. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Why it’s powerful: Particularly good at reducing airborne mould spores and benzene.
4. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Why it’s powerful: Low maintenance plant that removes VOCs including formaldehyde.
5. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Why it’s powerful: One of NASA’s top plants for removing formaldehyde.
6. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Why it’s powerful: Easy to care for and effective at absorbing carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.
7. Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Why it’s powerful: Brightens indoor spaces while removing benzene and trichloroethylene.
8. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Why it’s powerful: Efficient at removing toxins and regulating humidity.
9. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Why it’s powerful: Known for absorbing formaldehyde and adding moisture to indoor air.
10. Aloe Vera
Why it’s powerful: Filters formaldehyde and benzene while offering the bonus of soothing gel.