Snake Plant vs Other Air Plants: Which Is Best for Air Purification?
Compare snake plant vs other air plants for air purification. Discover benefits, care tips, and which plant suits your needs best.
Snake plants are among the top air-purifying houseplants, thanks to their ability to filter multiple toxins and release oxygen at night. However, other air plants like spider plants, peace lilies, and areca palms offer different benefits such as pet safety, humidity, or blooming. This guide compares them side-by-side to help you choose the best one for your indoor space.
What Are “Air Plants”? (And Why Snake Plants Aren’t Tillandsia)
While “air plants” often refer to Tillandsia species that grow without soil, in this article, we use the term to describe any houseplants known for improving indoor air quality—plants like snake plants, spider plants, and peace lilies.
These are not true air plants (Tillandsia), but they are celebrated for their air-purifying abilities in homes and offices.
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters
Indoor air often contains pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene, which can come from furniture, cleaning products, and building materials.
Air-purifying plants help absorb some of these toxins, making your environment healthier and more comfortable.
Comparison of Air Purifying Abilities: Snake Plant vs. Other Popular Indoor Plants
Snake plants are widely recognized for their strong air-purifying abilities, but how do they really stack up against other leading indoor plants?
Here’s a focused comparison based on scientific studies and real-world experience, highlighting both the similarities and unique strengths of each plant.
| Plant | Key Air-Purifying Abilities | Unique Feature(s) | Oxygen Cycle | Pet Safe? | Care Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snake Plant | Removes harmful substances like formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene, and nitrogen oxides. | Releases oxygen at night; can survive if you forget to care for it | Night | ❌ No | Very easy |
| Spider Plant | Removes formaldehyde, xylene, carbon monoxide | Extremely pet-friendly; easy propagation | Day | ✅ Yes | Easy |
| Peace Lily | Removes formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, ammonia | Decorative white blooms; adds humidity | Day | ❌ No | Moderate |
| Areca Palm | Removes formaldehyde, xylene, toluene | Natural humidifier; fills large spaces | Day | ✅ Yes | Moderate |
| Aloe Vera | Removes formaldehyde, benzene | Medicinal uses; thrives in bright light | Day | ❌ No | Easy |
In-Depth Comparison
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata):
- Air Purification: NASA has shown that this can remove up to 52% of formaldehyde from the air in closed spaces. It also filters out benzene, xylene, toluene, and nitrogen oxides.
- Unique Advantage: Unlike most houseplants, snake plants release oxygen primarily at night, making them ideal for bedrooms and improving overnight air quality. Also, they provide a host of other advantages. Learn more about what a snake plant does for your house, from boosting humidity to enhancing decor.
- Care: Extremely low-maintenance—thrives in low light and with infrequent watering. Read how to care for snake plants.
- Limitation: Mildly toxic if ingested by pets.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum):
- Air Purification: Good at getting rid of formaldehyde, xylene, and carbon monoxide.
- Unique Advantage: Non-toxic, making it one of the safest choices for homes with pets. Also, very easy to propagate.
- Care: This plant is easy to care for; it thrives in bright, indirect light and needs consistently moist soil.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum):
- Air Purification: Cleans a broader range of toxins, including ammonia and trichloroethylene, in addition to formaldehyde and benzene.
- Unique Advantage: Provides humidity and enhances visual appeal with its attractive blooms.
- Care: Requires extra attention—thrives in indirect light and consistently moist soil.
- Limitation: Toxic to pets and children if ingested.
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens):
- Air Purification: Good at removing formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.
- Unique Advantage: Acts as a natural humidifier, making it excellent for dry indoor environments.
- Care: Needs bright, indirect light and regular watering.
- Bonus: Non-toxic to pets.
Aloe Vera:
- Air Purification: Removes formaldehyde and benzene.
- Unique Advantage: Provides medicinal gel for burns and skin care.
- Care: Prefers bright light and minimal watering.
- Limitation: Toxic if ingested by pets.
What Does the Science Say?
The NASA Clean Air Study and other scientific research confirm that snake plants and several other houseplants can remove a variety of common indoor toxins.
Snake plants stand out for their range of toxin removal and unique nighttime oxygen release, while plants like peace lily and spider plant bring their own strengths—such as broader toxin coverage or pet safety.
Key Takeaway:
- Snake plant is best for bedrooms, low-light areas, and those wanting a tough, low-maintenance plant (but not for pet owners).
- Spider plant is the top choice for pet-friendly homes and easy propagation.
- Peace lily excels at toxin removal and aesthetics—perfect for plant lovers without pets who enjoy regular plant care.
- Areca palm is ideal for large, bright rooms and adds much-needed humidity.
- Aloe vera is perfect for sunny spots and natural first aid, if you don’t have pets.
By understanding the specific air-purifying abilities and unique benefits of each plant, you can choose the one that best fits your indoor environment and lifestyle.
Snake Plant Overview: The Nighttime Oxygen Powerhouse
The snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is a resilient succulent with upright, sword-shaped leaves. It is well known for being extremely difficult to kill, as it thrives in low light and requires very little water.
If you want to explore the different snake plant varieties or are lucky enough to witness a rare snake plant bloom, there’s plenty to discover about this unique houseplant.
- Air-Purifying Strength: In a NASA experiment, the snake plant removed up to 52% of airborne formaldehyde in a sealed chamber over 24 hours (NASA, 1989). It also removes benzene, xylene, toluene, and nitrogen oxides from the air.
- Unique Feature: Unlike most houseplants, snake plants release oxygen at night, which makes them especially suitable for bedrooms.
In my experience caring for over 30 snake plants, they’ve proven to be the toughest low-light air cleaners for bedrooms and offices. They survive neglect, dry air, and dim corners—making them a top choice for beginners and experts alike.
Care & Safety:
- Light: Low to bright indirect
- Water: Very little needed; let soil dry completely
- Pet Safety: Mildly toxic if chewed or ingested
While snake plants are famously hardy, even these resilient houseplants can face issues from time to time. For troubleshooting tips, see our list of common snake plant problems and fixes.
Is the Snake Plant Better Than the Spider Plant for Air Quality?
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum):
- Air-Purifying: Removes formaldehyde, xylene, carbon monoxide
- Pet Safety: Non-toxic—great for homes with cats and dogs
- Care: Low maintenance; likes bright, indirect light and moist soil
- Special Benefit: Easy to propagate with baby “spiderettes”
| Plant | Strengths |
|---|---|
| Snake Plant | Stronger at removing a wider range of toxins; releases oxygen at night |
| Spider Plant | Safer for pets; especially good at removing carbon monoxide and xylene |
Expert Note: If pet safety is your main concern, the spider plant is the best choice. However, if you want the most effective toxin removal and a plant suitable for the bedroom, the snake plant is the top option.
Snake Plant vs Peace Lily: Which Cleans Air Better?
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum):
- Air-Purifying: Removes formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, ammonia
- Care: Prefers indirect light and consistently moist soil
- Pet Safety: Toxic to pets and children if ingested
- Unique Benefit: Beautiful white blooms; adds humidity
| Plant | Strengths |
|---|---|
| Snake Plant | Requires less maintenance, can withstand neglect, and is ideal for bedrooms. They are easy to share—see our step-by-step guide on how to propagate snake plants for more details. |
| Peace Lily | Cleans a broader range of toxins; adds visual interest with blooms; but higher maintenance |
Expert Note: Choose peace lily for its strong air-purifying and decorative qualities—if you don’t have pets or small children and can provide regular care.
Snake Plant, Areca Palm, and Aloe Vera: Humidity and Healing
| Plant | Air-Purifying Abilities | Care | Pet Safety | Unique Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Areca Palm | Removes formaldehyde, xylene, toluene | Bright, indirect light; regular water | ✅ Non-toxic | Adds humidity—great for dry climates |
| Aloe Vera | Removes formaldehyde and benzene | Thrives in bright light; minimal water | ❌ Toxic | Medicinal gel for burns and skin care |
Do NASA and Scientific Studies Prove Plants Clean Air?
The NASA Clean Air Study (1989) showed that snake plants and others could remove significant amounts of toxins, like up to 52% of formaldehyde in sealed chambers over 24 hours.
However, these results were under controlled, sealed conditions. In real homes, air exchange, plant size, and number of plants all affect results.
Most experts agree that while plants help, they work best alongside good ventilation and air purifiers (CNET; CO2 Meter).
Which Air-Purifying Plant Should You Choose?
- Snake plant: Best for bedrooms, low-light spaces, and those who want a tough, low-maintenance plant (but not for pet owners).
- Spider plant: Best for pet owners, bathrooms, or hanging baskets; easy to propagate.
- Peace lily: Best for decorative blooms and strong air purification—if you can provide regular care and don’t have pets.
- Areca palm: Best for large, bright rooms and adding humidity.
- Aloe vera: Perfect for homes without pets and for individuals seeking skin-soothing solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are air-purifying plants safe for pets?
Spider plants and areca palms are safe, but snake plants, peace lilies, and aloe vera are poisonous if ingested.
How many plants do I need?
NASA recommends placing one plant per 100 square feet to experience noticeable benefits in sealed environments. In most homes, adding even more plants is recommended for better results.
Can plants replace air purifiers?
No; plants help but don’t filter dust and fine particles like HEPA purifiers. Use both for best results.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned plant enthusiast, choosing the right air-purifying plant depends on your space, care routine, and whether you have pets.
Still Not Sure? Here’s a Quick Recap
💡 Still unsure which plant fits your lifestyle? Drop your questions in the comments or explore our full care guides for each plant!
References
- NASA Clean Air Study.
- Top 5 Air Purifying Plants Snake Plant vs Others – AllSnakePlant.com
- Are Snake Plants Good For The Air? – easyplant.com
- NASA compiles list of best plants to clean indoor air – CO2 Meter
- Best Houseplants for Air Purification – CNET
- Snake Plant vs Spider Plant – QPSeedlings.com.au
