Clean the Air in Your Home with Tropical Houseplants

When wildfire smoke affects air quality across British Columbia, many of us spend more time indoors looking for ways to create a healthier, more comfortable home. While a quality air purifier remains the best way to remove fine smoke particles from indoor air, tropical houseplants can be a beautiful way to support a fresher indoor environment all year long.

Beyond their lush foliage, tropical houseplants naturally absorb certain airborne pollutants, increase humidity, and bring the calming beauty of nature into your home. Whether you’re creating an indoor oasis or simply adding a few plants to your favourite room, houseplants offer benefits that go far beyond their appearance.

Can Houseplants Help Improve Indoor Air Quality?

Many tropical houseplants are known for their ability to absorb certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are gases released from products like paint, furniture, cleaning supplies, and carpets. This idea gained widespread attention through NASA’s Clean Air Study, which explored the air-filtering abilities of several common houseplants.

While today’s homes typically require proper ventilation and air filtration to effectively improve indoor air quality, especially during wildfire smoke events, houseplants can still play a valuable supporting role in creating a fresher, healthier-feeling living space.

Benefits of Tropical Houseplants

Adding tropical houseplants to your home offers many everyday benefits, including:

Support a healthier indoor environment

Many tropical plants naturally absorb certain airborne pollutants while releasing oxygen and adding life to your living space.

Increase indoor humidity

Houseplants release moisture through a natural process called transpiration, helping make dry indoor air feel more comfortable, particularly during winter or when air conditioning is running.

Create a calming atmosphere

Surrounding yourself with greenery can help your home feel more relaxing, inviting, and connected to nature.

Enhance your décor

From compact tabletop plants to dramatic floor specimens, tropical houseplants add colour, texture, and year-round beauty to any room.

How Many Houseplants Does Your Home Need?

A common rule of thumb is to have approximately one healthy houseplant for every 100 square feet of living space.

That means:

  • 800 sq. ft. home = about 8 houseplants
  • 1,200 sq. ft. home = about 12 houseplants
  • 2,000 sq. ft. home = about 20 houseplants

Of course, there’s no magic number. Even a handful of well-placed tropical plants can make your home feel greener, fresher, and more inviting.

Best Tropical Houseplants for Supporting Indoor Air Quality

Some of the most popular tropical houseplants for creating a fresh indoor environment include:

  • Areca Palm – A lush statement plant that also adds humidity to indoor spaces.
  • Pothos – One of the easiest houseplants to grow, making it perfect for beginners.
  • Peace Lily – Elegant white blooms paired with glossy green foliage.
  • Chinese Evergreen – Tolerates lower light conditions and comes in many colourful varieties.
  • Philodendron – Easy-care tropical plants available in climbing and upright forms.
  • Dracaena – Architectural foliage available in a wide range of colours and sizes.
  • Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) – A timeless indoor tree with graceful branching.
  • Rubber Plant – Thick, glossy leaves make this a bold addition to any room.

Choosing The Right Tropical Houseplant For Your Home

The best houseplant is one that fits your space, lighting conditions, and lifestyle. Choosing the right variety will help your plant thrive while making it easier to enjoy the benefits of bringing greenery indoors.

For low-light spaces:

Pothos, Chinese Evergreen, and Peace Lily are excellent options for bedrooms, offices, and areas with limited natural light.

For bright, indirect light:

Areca Palms, Rubber Plants, and many Philodendron varieties create a lush tropical statement in living rooms and open spaces.

For beginners:

Easy-care favourites like Pothos and Philodendrons are great choices for anyone starting their indoor plant collection.

Bring The Tropics Home

You don’t need a home filled with plants to enjoy the benefits of greenery. Start with a few houseplants in the spaces where you spend the most time and choose varieties that bring you joy!

Explore our Tropical Plants page and scroll to the bottom to download our Tropical Plants Care Guide!

Visit Hunters Garden Centre in Vancouver & Surrey for a large selection of tropical plants, air purifiers, pet-friendly plants, and other indoor houseplants.