Women's Health June 26, 2026 0 Comments

Unlock the Secret Superplant That’s Transforming Your Indoor Air Quality—And Health—Overnight!

Ever find yourself wandering the plant aisle, caught in that delightful dilemma: “Should I really bring home another leafy friend, or is it just impulse green-thumbing?” Well, what if I told you that among the five plant species recently spotlighted in a study published in Atmospheric Environment, there’s one verdant hero that kicks indoor pollution to the curb—slashing it by over 90 percent? Yep, the lowly peace lily isn’t just a pretty face; it’s a straight-up air detoxifier powerhouse! Now before you start decking out your space with these glossy-leaved warriors, there’s a bit more to the story—like those sneaky volatile organic compounds hiding in your everyday stuff, and some pet-owner caveats to consider. Curious to dive deeper and catch all the quirks behind this botanical breakthrough? LEARN MORE

1 min read

If you’re constantly tempted by the the plant section of your neighborhood grocery or home improvement store, here’s your permission to invest in some leafy greens. Of five plant species tested in a new study published in Atmospheric Environment, one was shown to reduce indoor pollutants by more than 90 percent. The detoxing darling? A peace lily!

“The peace lily is super-common and inexpensive,” says deputy features editor Carina Hsieh, MPH, during the latest episode of The Huddle, the Women’s Health podcast where we talk sports, sweat, and everything in between.

According to Hsieh, peace lilies help clean the air by absorbing what are called “volatile organic compounds,” which are essentially chemicals you can find in a lot of everyday products like cosmetics, cleaners, and paints.

The study was conducted using a set-up called an active living wall (basically, a vertical garden), so replicating the exact results at home may be tricky. “It might not be that having a bunch of peace lilies on your, like, IKEA shelf, will do the same thing,” Hsieh says. “But it’s worth noting.”

Another things to keep in mind: Peace lilies are poisonous to cats and dogs, so they might not be the best option for pet parents. In that case, consider getting a good old HEPA air purifier for a similar effect.

To hear more about the plant study (including one very big warning), watch the full episode of The Huddle above.