Why Indoor Air Quality Matters for COPD Patients
For COPD patients, clean air is essential. Poor indoor air quality can worsen symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and coughing.
Everyday pollutants like dust, chemicals, and pet dander can irritate sensitive airways.
Fortunately, indoor plants can help! Some plants naturally filter out toxins, add gentle humidity to dry air, and improve indoor air quality.
However, not all plants are suitable for COPD patients—some may produce pollen, spores, or retain moisture that leads to mold.
Throughout this blog post we will introduce you to the best air-purifying plants that are hypoallergenic, low-maintenance, and COPD-friendly.
Whether you’re a patient or a caregiver, these plants can help create a healthier, more breathable indoor environment.
How Indoor Plants Can Improve Air Quality
Plants as Natural Air Purifiers
Plants act as nature’s air filters. According to NASA’s Clean Air Study, certain plants can absorb toxins like:
- Benzene (found in household cleaners and paints)
- Formaldehyde (emitted from furniture or carpet)
- Xylene and Toluene (common in adhesives and varnishes)
These plants not only clean the air but also release oxygen and improve humidity, which can ease dry airways—a common issue you may experience with a COPD diagnosis.
Benefits for COPD Patients
- Improved Air Quality: Plants reduce airborne toxins, dust, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
- Better Humidity: Dry indoor air can irritate your lungs, especially in winter. Plants can naturally add moisture, helping you breathe easier.
- Reduced Stress: Studies show that caring for plants can lower stress, which is important for COPD patients managing anxiety or breathlessness. Plus, you may discover that taking care of plants and growing them becomes your new found hobby!
Choosing the Right Plants
When selecting indoor plants to help with the management of your chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), consider the following:
- Low-Allergen Plants: Avoid plants that produce pollen or strong fragrances. Plants like jasmine, gardenia, lavender, lily of the valley, honeysuckle, sweet pea, tuberose, frangipani, mock orange, hyacinth, and ylang-ylang are examples of pollen or strong fragrance producing plants you'll want to avoid in your home.
- Easy to Care For: Look for plants that thrive with minimal attention, as with a COPD diagnosis, you may have limited energy depending on the day.
- Non-Toxic Options: If you have pets or young children, choose plants that are safe if accidentally touched or ingested.
Best Indoor Plants for COPD Patients
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Why It’s Great:
Known as the “bedroom plant,” the snake plant releases oxygen at night, improving air quality while you sleep. It absorbs toxins like benzene and formaldehyde.
Care Tips:
- Thrives in low light and only needs watering every 2–3 weeks.
- Avoid overwatering to prevent mold in the soil.
Best Placement:
Bedrooms and living rooms for better nighttime air quality. This will result in your enjoying the best possible indoor air quality with the use of plants and natural alternatives.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Why It’s Great:
Spider plants are excellent at removing carbon monoxide, xylene, and other toxins. They’re also pet-friendly and non-toxic.
Care Tips:
- Place in indirect sunlight. Water once a week.
- Spider plants develop “babies” (small offshoots) that can be repotted or shared with others!
Best Placement:
Near windows or on shelves to maximize air circulation.
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Why It’s Great:
This beautiful palm doubles as a natural humidifier. It releases moisture into the air, which can help you breathe better with COPD & more comfortably in dry conditions.
Care Tips:
- Requires bright, indirect light and consistently moist soil.
- Avoid overwatering by checking the top inch of soil before adding water.
Best Placement:
Living rooms or offices with natural light.
Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Why It’s Great:
Bamboo palms filter formaldehyde and other toxins while increasing humidity levels. They’re perfect for homes with dry air.
Care Tips:
- Thrives in low to medium light. Water when the topsoil feels dry.
- Dust the leaves regularly to maintain their air-purifying ability.
Best Placement:
Corners of living spaces, hallways, or offices.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Why It’s Great:
Peace lilies absorb mold spores, formaldehyde, and VOCs, making them ideal for improving indoor air quality. Their leaves also trap dust particles.
Care Tips:
- Tolerates low light and requires watering once a week.
- Wipe the leaves regularly to remove dust.
Best Placement:
Bathrooms, shaded corners, or areas with minimal light.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Why It’s Great:
Pothos is a hardy plant that filters formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene. It’s a great choice for those without a green thumb!
Care Tips:
- Thrives in most lighting conditions and only requires occasional watering.
- Caution: Pothos can be mildly toxic to pets if ingested. Place it out of reach on shelves or in hanging baskets.
Best Placement:
High shelves, hanging planters, or offices.
Plants to Avoid If You Have COPD
While some plants are beneficial, others can worsen symptoms due to pollen, spores, or mold. Avoid the following:
- Ferns: Require high humidity and can harbor mold.
- Flowering Plants: Plants like daisies, lilies, or chrysanthemums produce pollen that can irritate airways.
- Large Cacti/Succulents: Hold moisture in the soil, increasing the risk of mold and mildew.
Tips for Maintaining Plants Safely
Prevent Mold and Mildew
- Use pots with drainage holes to prevent water from pooling.
- Add a layer of pebbles or gravel on top of the soil to discourage mold growth.
- Water plants only when the top inch of soil feels dry. If you stick your finger in and the top of your finger still feels wet, you don't need to water just yet!
Dust Plant Leaves Regularly
- Dust buildup can reduce a plant’s ability to purify air and circulate allergens.
- Gently wipe leaves with a damp cloth every 1–2 weeks.
Position Plants Wisely
- Place plants in well-ventilated areas near windows or air purifiers.
- Keep plants away from beds, couches, and other areas where you spend extended periods to minimize allergens.
Alternative Air-Purifying Solutions for COPD Patients
For those who may not want plants or are sensitive to greenery, here are additional ways to improve air quality:
- HEPA Air Purifiers: Filter out allergens, dust, and pollutants.
- Humidifiers: Maintain indoor humidity at 30–50% to prevent airway dryness.
- Ventilation: Regularly open windows or use exhaust fans to circulate clean air.
- Low-VOC Products: Switch to unscented, non-toxic cleaning supplies to reduce chemical exposure.
Final Thoughts
By choosing the right plants—like snake plants, spider plants, and bamboo palms—you can enjoy cleaner, fresher air while improving your home environment.
These hypoallergenic, low-maintenance plants can make a significant difference for COPD patients who need clean air to breathe comfortably.
Ready to get started?
Try one or two plants from this list and let us know how they’ve improved your space.
Share your experience in the comments or pass this guide along to a friend or caregiver who could benefit!
