10 highest oxygen producing plants to grow indoors

January 2023

Research has revealed that cultivating oxygen-rich houseplants indoors can bolster your mental health, immunity and increase energy levels.

Plants with larger surfaces provide more opportunities for photosynthesis due to increased stomatal openings, thus resulting in a greater production of oxygen. Therefore, they can be beneficial for indoor spaces as they help to filter out toxins and add oxygen to the air.

1. Pothos

Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum

Pothos is the top choice for an indoor plant that purifies the air due to its high rate of oxygen conversion. The experiment demonstrated a 6.5% reduction in carbon dioxide, dropping the CO2 content and consequently increasing oxygen levels.

Epipremnum aureum

2. Peace lily

Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum wallisii

According to the University of Technology Sydney in Australia, peace lilies can reduce carbon dioxide and increase oxygen levels by up to 25% in a well-ventilated room.

Because of its air-purifying properties, the plant was also included in NASA's clean air study.

Peace lily

3. Areca palm

Botanical Name: Dypsis lutescens

The Areca palm is valued for its ability to produce oxygen and increase air quality in its vicinity. It also removes hazardous chemicals such as xylene, toluene, and formaldehyde.

Two areca palms planted in an area of 100 square feet can increase oxygen levels in the air.

4. Snake plant

Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata

Commonly referred to as the mother-in-law's tongue, research has found that it is one of the top oxygen-producing indoor plants due to its ability to absorb carbon dioxide in a closed system.

Snake plant

5. Weeping Fig

Botanical Name: Ficus Benjamina

Research has found that the weeping fig effectively reduced CO2 levels, thus increasing oxygen concentration significantly.

This plant has the ability to effectively remove damaging chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.

6. Orchid

Botanical Name: Orchidaceae

Orchid is a great bedroom plant since it releases oxygen at night, according to an article published by the South Dakota State University Extension.

The lovely flowers of the plant will also enhance the aesthetic of the space.

7. Spider Plant

Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum

In spite of performing lower than many other plants in terms of oxygen production, the spider plant was included on this list as UVM highlight that it is beneficial for reducing stress levels and increasing productivity.

8. Christmas Cactus

Botanical Name: Schlumbergera bridgesii

It actively uses carbon dioxide to create oxygen and glucose during photosynthesis, increasing the percent oxygen in the air. The plant also emits oxygen at night, according to the article published by the University of Connecticut.

As the plant looks quite stunning with its colorful flowers, this flowering succulent can be a beautiful addition to your home!

9. Dumb Cane

Botanical Name: Dieffenbachia

The study conducted showed that Dumb Cane had the ability to lower CO2 levels from 1,868 to 1,506 ppm in 24 hours, thus increasing oxygen levels.

This plant eliminates volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like acetone, benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene from inside your home.

10. Chrysanthemum

Botanical Name: Chrysanthemum

This plant is not known for producing oxygen, but it does a wonderful job in removing dangerous VOCs from the air. NASA's research shows that it was able to reduce the total amount of Benzene in the air by 76,931 micrograms over a 24 hour period.