Skip to content

Pausito · smart living

Air

Do an air purifier or houseplants help?

Short answer

Plants, not noticeably: research calculated you would need 10 to 1000 plants per m². An air purifier with a HEPA filter can reduce particles, if it is large enough for the room.

Explanation

Well-known plant experiments took place in small sealed chambers. In a home, ventilation refreshes the air much faster. An air purifier filters particles, but not CO2 and few gases. Choose by CADR (clean air delivery rate).

Rules of thumb

  • Plants: 10–1000 per m² of floor to match ventilation; not feasible. [SW-S24]
  • Air purifier: choose a CADR that suits the room. EPA example: room of 300 ft² (about 28 m²) → at least 195 cfm (about 330 m³/h, converted). [SW-S25]
  • Replace filters as the manufacturer says; a full filter works poorly. [SW-S25]

Pitfalls

  • Avoid devices that deliberately produce ozone (ozone generators, some ionisers). [SW-S25]
  • An air purifier does not replace ventilation: CO2 and humidity remain. [SW-S25]

Search terms

These search terms are in Dutch; only terms that also find a topic in English are links.

luchtreiniger HEPA CADR kamerplanten ozon

Read also

General information, not personal advice. Check the source and reference date.

Sources

  1. SW-S24 Potted plants do not improve indoor air quality (Cummings & Waring) — Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology (Nature) (Reference date 2026-09-27)
  2. SW-S25 Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home — US EPA (Reference date 2026-09-27)

Reference date: 2026-09-27 · Translated with AI from the Dutch original.