Breathing in airborne impurities causes a wide range of health issues: from nose, mouth, and throat irritation, to dizziness, headaches, fatigue, and more serious respiratory diseases. The power of plants to absorb harmful toxins has been proven in the lab. Here’s a list of the best plants that improve air quality—better start planting…

Peace Lily: the best for removing toxins

Peace lilies were the top performers in a much-quoted NASA study on plants that improve air quality. These elegant houseplants absorbed all of the tested toxins (benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, and ammonia) from the air. Plus, they’re just as easy to care for as they are pleasing to the eye.

Pothos: the best for absorbing ozone

Pothos are one of the most effective air-purifying plants. As well as removing toxins, golden pothos were shown to absorb a small amount of indoor ozone—a molecule that causes lung damage if inhaled in large quantities. These beautiful trailing plants make a stunning addition to any home, and they might help you breathe a little easier too.

Snake plant: the best for low maintenance

Of the indoor plants that improve air quality, sansevieria are the best for brown-thumbed plant lovers. Snake plants were another high performer in the NASA clean air study, filtering all of the toxins besides ammonia. These unfussy plants can take some neglect—so don’t worry if you forget a watering (or three).

Spider plant: the best for attracting moisture

Pollution isn’t the only cause of low-quality air. Mold spores and mildew produced by indoor humidity can also lead to respiratory problems. Humidity-loving spider plants improve air quality by attracting moisture in the air and preventing mold from growing. These houseplants send out dangling stems covered in baby spiderettes—its foliage looks lovely in a hanging basket.

Aloe vera: the best for a sunny spot

Aloe vera is another of the best indoor plants to improve air quality. This sun-loving plant featured in the NASA study was shown to purify the air of formaldehyde and benzene chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products. Like a succulent, make sure your aloe vera is well-drained, and be sure not to overwater.