Indoor Plants That Give Oxygen 24 Hours
Most people, especially indoor gardeners, are aware that indoor plants generate oxygen during the day. But many people aren’t aware that there are also indoor plants that produce oxygen around the clock. In today’s article I’m going to tell you which indoor plants release oxygen, both day and night, 24/7!
What are some indoor plants that give oxygen 24 hours? Indoor plants like the money tree, aloe vera, snake plant, tulsi, snake plant, Christmas cactus, gerbera, orchid, philodendron, peace lily, spider plant, and English ivy produce oxygen 24 hours. You can breathe easier with these plants in your home or office!
The more common pattern is that an indoor plant produces oxygen by day and then switches to releasing carbon dioxide at night. But now that you are aware that certain indoor plants that give oxygen constantly, I’m sure you’re eager to learn which indoor plants they are as well as a few plant care tips for each plant.
16 Indoor Plants That Produce Oxygen 24/7
Money Tree
Does money tree release oxygen day and night?
Yes, it certainly does! The money tree (Pachira aquatica) from South and Central America will also absorb formaldehyde, ethylene, benzene, and other volatile organic compounds or VOCs from the air as well.
As if all that wasn’t alluring enough, the money tree is believed to lead to more wealth, prosperity, and good fortune in the lives of whoever owns one.
So how do you grow a healthy, happy money tree?
Allow at least half its soil to dry out, then water this indoor tree deeply to encourage its roots to strengthen .Provide bright, indirect light and temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
The money tree is especially prone to transplant shock. Which is another way of saying that they’re extremely sensitive to being moved.
I moved my indoor money tree to the other side of my bedroom before knowing this about them and my money tree dropped almost all of its leaves as a result. To keep your money tree producing oxygen 24/7, do your best to not move yours unless it’s to improve the money trees light, humidity or temperature.
If you do have to move yours, I highly recommend moving it slowly, and in stages, to avoid shocking its system.
Aloe Vera Plant
Everyone’s favorite succulent the aloe vera is another indoor plant that continues to produce oxygen at night when many other plants do not.
That’s far from the only way that aloe vera is beneficial to your health. Compounds in the aloe vera are antibacterial, antiseptic, and antiviral.
Cleaner air and a healthier you? That’s right!
In addition to aloe plants being an indoor plant that gives you oxygen twenty-four hours a day, the gel in the aloe plants are also a natural rooting hormone. You can rub the gel found inside the aloe plants leaves on the bottom of plant cuttings to help speed up the propagation process.
How Often to Water Aloe Vera Plants
To keep an aloe vera growing strong, water it seldomly, only after its soil dries out completely. The aloe requires infrequent watering since it is a succulent.
The aloe plant needs at least six hours of bright, indirect light per day but ideally up to eight hours.
When Aloe plants are grown in anything less than bright, indirect light, the plant will often grow long and thin, often referred to as “leggy”. This is a direct result of stretching itself in an attempt to reach for better access to more light.
Use a succulent mix rather than a standard potting mix when growing your aloe plant and you’ll have a better chance of preventing root rot if you tend to overwater your indoor plants.
Tulsi
The holy basil or tulsi, aka Ocimum tenuiflorum, is a small plant that will continue giving oxygen day and night.
Originating on the Indian subcontinent and becoming more prevalent from there, the tulsi plant is widely favored for kidney, skin, and liver conditions.
In that regard, the tulsi is a lot like aloe vera! It’s both medicinal and makes for easier breathing by supplying oxygen both day and night.
For the best potting soil for your tulsi plant, simply plant the tulsi in a standard potting mix. Tulsi are not finicky about their soil as long as it’s not compacted and remains aerated.
Fertilize it monthly during the active growing season, which is April to June. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Snake Plant
As you may recall, the snake plant or (Dracaena Trifasciata) was one of the species that NASA recommended in its Clean Air Study from the 1980s.
The Austin American-Statesman writes, “According to NASA’s Clean Air Study, the snake plant is so effective in producing oxygen that if you were locked in a sealed room with no airflow, you would be able to survive with just 6-8 plants in it.”
It’s no wonder that the snake plant is regarded as one of the highest oxygen-producing indoor plants! Producing relatively large amounts of oxygen both day and night.
How do you keep this West African indoor plant thriving? The snake plant grows best in bright, indirect light.
Too little light will stunt its growth while too much sunlight can burn and dry out the snake plant, also referred to as mother-in-law’s tongue.
The snake plant’s soil should be allowed to dry out at least three inches deep before you replenish the plant with water. An easy way to determine this is just to stick your pointer finger into the soil of your snake plant down to the knuckle on your finger.
If the soil is dry , it’s time to water your snake plant.
Be careful to not wet the leaves of your snake plant when watering the soil. Unhealthy snake plant leaves can mean less photosynthesis which means less oxygen will be produced.
Do your best to keep temps surrounding your snake plant between 55 degrees fahrenheit and 85 degrees fahrenheit.
Christmas Cactus
Not only is the Christmas Cactus an easy to care for indoor plant with stunningly beautiful flowers, when it blooms, but this popular holiday plant produces oxygen both day and night.
You’ll have an abundance of air at home or the office!
The Christmas cactus is part of the Schlumbergera genus with about eight other species. It hails from southeastern Brazil.
If you see yours drooping, don’t panic. That’s what the Christmas cactus is supposed to do!
Similar to the Peace Lily, the Christmas Cactus also becomes droopy and limp when its gone without water for too long.
Think of their leaves becoming droopy as their own “it’s time to water me alarm” that this 24/7/365 oxygen producing plant has built into its DNA.
Shortly after you water your droopy Holiday Cactus it will begin to stand proud again. Just remember to water your indoor plants in the morning hours to optimize the nourishment you’re providing them.
When you water your plants at night, the water in the soil has to wait hours for the sun to rise to trigger photosynthesis in the plant. Hours of standing water in a potted plant waiting for the sun to come up is setting your plant up for disaster.
Root rot along with other fungus and mold issues can be easily avoided by simply watering your plants during the daytime.
For more information on watering your plants at night I recommend reading my article Is It Bad to Water Indoor Plants at Night?
You can set up your Christmas cactus for good health by keeping temps at 65 degrees at the lowest.
Maintain soil moisture and position the plant in an easterly-facing window. Here, the Christmas cactus will receive periods of direct sun but more indirect light.
Once you see those trademark buds, nourish the Christmas cactus with a fertilizer that’s rich in potassium.
Gerbera Daisy
Speaking of beautiful flowering plants that also release oxygen, the gerbera daisy is a must on this list.
The gerbera daisy is another of those highest oxygen-producing plants during the day and night.
Plus, you’ll love gazing upon its gorgeous flowers in hues like yellow, white, electric orange, pale pink, and deep, rich red.
To keep the gerbera daisy healthy, you need plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. Always avoid direct sun, as it will burn the leaves.
Allow an inch of soil to dry out before you water the gerbera daisy again.
Limit overwatering as much as you can, as this appealing plant is already susceptible to fungal diseases as well as pests like fungus gnats.
Orchid
The orchid is another elegant flowering plant that is often grown indoors and gives oxygen all 24 hours a day.
Orchids are part of the Orchidaceae family, which produces flowers that smell phenomenal in addition to looking very appealing.
The color of orchids is usually purple but can be pink, blue, or white depending on the species.
Getting an orchid’s indoor care right so it will bloom doesn’t have to be impossible.
Give the soil time to dry out before you water your orchids again.
Once your orchids begin growing, fertilize the flowering plant at least once a week, maybe even twice per week.
Then, upon reaching maturity, scale back to monthly or bimonthly fertilization.
You should use a fertilizer formulated for orchids with a balanced mix of macronutrients. If applying a 10-10-10 formula, then dilute the fertilizer to half-strength. For a 20-20-20 mix, use it at 1/4th strength.
Peace Lily
Does the peace lily technically produce flowers? No, since its white “flower” is a leaf, but the species in the Spathiphyllum genus is attractive and beloved, nevertheless.
The peace lily will filter out toluene, xylene, benzene, and formaldehyde from the air. You’ll have more oxygen produced both night and day and, since it’s been filtered by the peace lily as well, it’s cleaner air!
Grow your peace lily in bright, indirect sunlight.
Water the peace lily often enough to maintain moist soil, but never allow the soil to become soaked.
The peace lily likes humidity at 50 percent at the very least, but humidity at upwards of 60 percent is fine for this indoor plant as well.
Philodendron
One of everyone’s favorite indoor plants, the philodendron, is a great plant to add to your indoor garden if you’re concerned about the levels of oxygen in your home or office.
The philodendron plant releases oxygen both day and night. Further augmenting your easier breathing is the fact that philodendrons are excellent at lessening formaldehyde in the air.
Provide well-draining, loamy, acidic soil for the philodendron.
Keep that soil moist. When an inch of the soil has dried out, then it’s time to get your watering can.
Indirect sunlight suits the philodendron best. Limit temperatures so the philodendron is not exposed to any temps lower than 55 degrees.
The philodendron is a humidity lover! It requires humidity at around 60 percent and upwards of 70 or 80 percent if that’s doable.
You can grow your philodendron at home in the bathroom or use a humidifier to keep the air nice and humid.
Neem Tree
The Azadirachta indica or neem tree in the mahogany family is another plant to add to your list. It absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen as you sleep as well as during the day.
The neem tree is native to most African countries, preferring semi-tropical and tropical environments.
Growing a neem tree indoors is simple if you have well-draining potting soil. That soil should dry out before you water the neem again.
Since it hails from Africa, a neem tree can withstand very hot temperatures up to 120 degrees.
Don’t let temps dip any lower than 35 degrees if you hope to avoid signs of cold shock in your plant.
If you get your hands on neem tree seeds to plant further trees, don’t delay. The seeds last for 10 to 12 days on average.
If you wait longer than that, the seeds won’t sprout anything!
English Ivy
Starring in NASA’s Clean Air Study, you shouldn’t be surprised to see the English ivy on this list either.
A great purifier of toluene, xylene, formaldehyde, and benzene, another beloved trait of the English ivy or Hedera helix is how the plant gives oxygen all day, all night.
Originating in western Asia and throughout Europe, the English ivy loves a good surface to stretch its vines.
You can keep an English ivy in great condition by maintaining temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees.
Don’t water the plant too frequently. It’s okay for the soil to feel pretty dry before you top off the ivy with water.
Bright, indirect light is best for the English ivy, as you don’t want to scorch its delicate vines by exposing it to direct sun!
Areca Palm
Here’s yet another of the highest oxygen-producing indoor plants: the areca palm!
The Dypsis lutescens goes by many names, including the bamboo palm (not to be confused with the bamboo plant), the butterfly palm, and the golden cane palm.
Whatever you want to call it, this elegant palm is from Madagascar. The areca palm’s sizable stature allows it to produce lots of oxygen throughout the day and night as well as purify the air at the same time!
Widely regarded as easy to grow, the areca palm prefers well-drained soil that’s kept consistently moist. The soil should be a touch acidic or neutral.
Bright, filtered sunlight from a westerly or southerly-facing window is a good amount of sunlight for this indoor tree.
The temps for the areca palm don’t have to be too hot. If you maintain temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees and no lower than 50 degrees, this plant will be plenty happy.
Standard indoor humidity should suffice as well.
Lucky Bamboo
When it comes to 24 hour oxygen-giving plants, the lucky bamboo or bamboo plant is appropriate for this list.
How much Oxygen Does Bamboo Release?
Bamboo is able to release up to 35% more oxygen than an equivalent amount of trees of the same size. That fact alone makes it a great choice to help offset your carbon footprint.
I should mention that the Dracaena sanderiana known commonly as lucky bamboo is not a true bamboo, but it can thrive indoors with relatively easy care as well as improve the feng shui of your home or office.
This Central African indoor plant is pretty hands-off when it comes to its care. You can grow it in either water or soil, giving you great variety.
For lucky bamboos growing in water, you only have to replace the water about once a week. I recycle the older water by using it to water other plants or add it to pebble filled saucers I place around humid loving indoor plants to help raise the humidity level near my tropical indoor plants.
If growing the plant in soil, then provide acidic, rich, well-draining soil. Maintain the soil moisture through watering but never allow the soil to become waterlogged.
The ideal temperature range for the lucky bamboo is between 65 and 90 degrees.
Per month, squeeze out a single drop of liquid plant fertilizer for lucky bamboo plants growing in soil.
Lucky bamboos grown in water need fertilizer every other month. Be sure to still dilute the liquid fertilizer even though it’s going into the water.
In addition to helping offset our carbon footprint, growing bamboo plants indoors can also help maintain cooler temperatures throughout your home, as noted in a recent porch.com article.
Spider Plant
For more oxygen produced in the air both day and night, grow yourself a spider plant indoors.
The Chlorophytum comosum is a plant native to southern and tropical Africa.
It’s got long, spindly fronds and can purify the air, removing benzene, formaldehyde, and even carbon monoxide.
Plus, caring for the spider plant as an indoor plant is fairly simple, since you’re a reader of Indoor Plants for Beginners articles. I’ve well documented the spider plant’s common issues along with plenty of plant care tips for the spider plant grown indoors.
Provide light shade, which means some periods of shade but other periods of sunlight as well. Avoid direct sunlight, which can result in burnt fronds.
Loamy, loose, well-draining soil is best for the spider plant. That soil should be kept moist.
Since the spider plant is susceptible to overwatering and thus root rot, don’t saturate the soil with water.
Temps below 50 degrees are too cold for the spider plant, and humidity under 40 percent is too low. Your plant will develop brown tips if the spider plant’s environment lacks the proper humidity.
Pothos
Perfect when grown in a hanging basket or in a traditional pot, the appealing pothos can rid your home of formaldehyde in the air.
The pothos plants are excellent at increasing the oxygen levels in your home 24/7.
Known as the devil’s ivy, pothos is a French Polynesian native that has many exceptional cultivars.
The variegation seen on some of these cultivars has made the pothos quite the popular indoor plant.
To maintain that variegation, correct lighting is critical. The pothos requires bright, indirect light, nothing more and certainly nothing less.
Use well-draining potting soil. Water the pothos whenever its soil feels completely dry.
Yes, that can sometimes take a while, but be patient. Root rot can be deadly in indoor plants, after all!
About once per month during the active growing season, use a balanced plant fertilizer. Your pothos will be healthy and strong!
Chinese Evergreen
The last plant on my list (but definitely not the least) is the Chinese evergreen in the Aglaonema genus.
This tidy Asian plant purifies the air of toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene.
That allows for more oxygen in the air, as does the fact that the Chinese evergreen continues producing oxygen all day and into the night.
You want your Chinese evergreen to thrive, and that’s not too challenging. This plant usually won’t take umbrage with a variety of soil choices, but the best soil for your Chinese evergreen is a well-draining potting soil mix that’s a little acidic.
Keep the soil moist for the Chinese evergreen but not soaking wet.
If your Chinese evergreen plant has variegated leaves, then growing it in bright light is suitable.
For the unvariegated Chinese evergreens, which usually have darker foliage, indirect light and periods of shade are suitable.
