1. Areca palm: Madagascan areca palm leads the way in efficiency at "mopping up" pollutants.
Researchers say the palm is brilliant for anyone prone to colds and sinus problems because it releases moisture into the air. This, in turn, makes it much easier to breathe so will help you nod off quicker.
2. Aloe vera: Easy to keep and aesthetically pleasing in any home, the aloe vera plant has been named as one of the best plants for air purification by Nasa.
Why? It releases oxygen continuously throughout the night, making it an ideal bedroom addition. It also fights benzene, which is found in detergents and plastics, and formaldehyde (in varnishes and floor finishes) so helps keep the air super pure.
3. English ivy: More commonly associated with Christmas, the ivy that grows up your house is actually perfect for your bedroom.
Indeed, researchers at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found that English ivy in particular removes 78 per cent of airborne mould in just 12 hours.
4. Dwarf date palm: This plant is hardy, drought-tolerant and long-lived and it's brilliant at removing indoor air pollutants - especially xylene.
5. Boston fern: This attractive plant has graced indoor landscapes since Victorian times - and for good reason. The plant ranks ninth in Nasa's list of 50 air-purifying plants, being particularly adept at removing formaldehyde.
6. Chinese evergreen: This has been dubbed the easiest houseplant because it grows well in low light and areas of the home where other plants won't grow (like a dark bedroom).
The best part about it is that it removes more toxins as time and exposure continues.
7. Peace lily: This beautiful plant can cleanse air and improve it by 60 per cent. It also absorbs mould spores through its leaves and circulates them to its roots to use as food.
8. Spider plant: This houseplant grows super quickly and can remove up to 90 per cent of the toxins from the air in your bedroom in just two days. It's especially great for people with dust allergies.
9. Lady palm: This houseplant is one of the most effective plants at cleansing the air of formaldehyde, ammonia, xylene and toluene.
10. Weeping fig: This houseplant is the best at beating pollutants that are emitted from carpeting and furniture such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene.
Bringing the outside in
City dwellers today spend an average 90 per cent of their time inside - but experts from the Royal Horticultural Society say that "bringing the outdoors inside" can recreate some of the natural benefits lost in the process.
Plants reduce stress levels, improve mood and filter polluted air, they say.
A review of the scientific evidence suggests that workers are more productive when their office is filled with greenery - and hospital patients are even thought to tolerate pain better if there is a plant on the ward.
Perhaps most importantly, plants also trap and filter pollutants that are linked to thousands of deaths a year.
Writing in the horticultural journal the Plantsman, the group said: "Indoor plants can also elicit a number of physical health benefits, including the removal of airborne pollutants, both particulate and gaseous, which lead to better indoor air quality and associated improvements in physical health."
