The Botanical Limits of Indoor Air Purification

For decades, houseplants have been celebrated as nature’s answer to indoor pollution—quietly filtering toxins from the air while making homes feel calmer and more alive. But behind the lush greenery and wellness advice lies a more complicated scientific reality. In this episode, we explore the surprising origins of the belief that plants can purify indoor air, tracing how early NASA experiments in sealed environments evolved into a global lifestyle trend. From living walls and trendy “air-cleaning” species to the hidden chemicals released by furniture and cleaning products, we examine what plants can actually do—and where their limits become clear. The story reveals a tension between comfort and evidence, where the psychological benefits of greenery are undeniable, but the real fight against indoor pollution may depend far more on technology than nature.https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/05/08/do-houseplants-improve-air-quality