In Wolverton's experiments he placed several types of plants in sealed Plexiglas chambers injected with chemicals. He found that plants absorbed much of the chemicals. Wolverton also discovered that beneficial bacteria and soil microbes surrounding plant roots digest contaminants and break them down into forms that plants can feed on and make new tissue. After testing more than 40 species of plants, Wolverton has discovered that plants have different tastes for chemicals. Spider plants, Boston ferns, philodendrons and pothos prefer formaldehyde.
Peace lilies filter out trichloroethylene best.
English ivy and chrysanthemums consume benzene. Most of the plants effective in removing indoor air pollutants are not exotic and are readily available. They include English ivy, aloe vera, ficus benjamina, areca palm, bamboo palm, sansevieria, philodendrons, all of the draceneas, chrysanthemums, bromeliads and orchids. Most plants photosynthesize during the day, but Wolverton found orchids and bromeliads do it at night. The more indoor plants you have, the cleaner your air will be.