• Ivy helps rid the air of pollutants.ivy image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
  
  The right house plants can add decoration to your home and help clean its air of pollutants. For an average house of 1,800 square feet, NASA recommends 15 to 18 houseplants. Some of the chemicals that could be in your home's air are formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and benzene.
  
  

English Ivy

• Hedera helix, or English ivy, is an evergreen vine with different colors and leaf forms depending on cultivar. Ivy prefers partial sun or shade and rich, moist soils. The plant needs good air circulation. Ivy removes formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and benzene from the air.
  
  

Peace Lily

• The peace lily, or Spathiphyllum, is a perennial with shiny paddle-like leaves on stems. Leaves grow in clump form with a white bract flower stalk. The peace lily originated in Columbia and is now a popular house plant. The plant does well in sunlight and high humidity. The plant removes xylene, ammonia, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, acetone, and other impurities from the air.
  
  

Bamboo Palm

• The bamboo palm, or Chamaedorea seifrizii, is an evergreen palm that grows to 7 feet, and is well-suited for home or office. It looks more like bamboo than a palm with tall stems and dark green leaflets. It prefers low indoor light and well-drained soils. Formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide are removed with this plant.
  
  

Red-Edged Dracaena

• Dracaena marginata, or red-edged dracaena, typically has narrow tapered green leaves with a red edge, although some cultivars have white and red stripes. The red-edged dracaena originated in Madagascar. There is no fragrance or flowers. The plant prefers medium humidity and bright ,indirect lighting. The plant removes benzene, xylene, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and toluene from the air.
  
  

Gerber Daisy

• Gerbera jamesonii, or the Gerber daisy, is an easy-to-grow perennial that has bright flowers on 12 to 18 inch stems. Leaves are coarse and green. Gerber daisies should be planted in well-drained soils, either loamy or sandy, with full sun conditions. The plant tolerates light shade. Gerber daisies remove carbon monoxide, benzene and formaldehyde from the air.