17 Best Houseplants for Allergy Sufferers

What are allergies? They’re normal reactions some people have to things like mold, pollen, and dust. The particles get into our sinuses, wreaking havoc on our immune systems. I had dozens of reactions both as a kid and as an adult, and I’m well aware of the annoyances allergies provide. 

If you’re like me, you may find yourself sneezing each spring as grasses, conifers, and palm trees dump pollen grains in the trillions! You’ll see yellow or orange dust on your car, the roof of your house, or on concrete. While it’s difficult to avoid pollen and allergens outdoors, controlling them inside your home is easy.

There are three major allergens to avoid indoors: mold, dust, and pollen. Some houseplant species foster moldy growth because of the wet soil they prefer, while others have leaves that attract dust. Simply water less to discourage mold, and clean plant leaves often to remove dust. Flowering plants produce pollen, which makes them an allergen concern. Prune their flowers to prevent pollen spread.

17 Houseplants for Allergy Sufferers

Avoid the three main allergens to create a beautiful and hypoallergenic indoor oasis. Without further ado, here are the 17 best houseplants for allergy sufferers. We’ll also discuss five of the main allergy-causing plants you should avoid having in your home.

Snake Plant

Snake plants have no downsides! They grow easily with little care, produce few flowers, and they tolerate shady conditions indoors. They have thick, hard leafy fronds that sprout circularly off stems. When happy, you’ll see snake plants pushing new rhizomes out of the soil. 

Snake plants are good houseplants for allergy sufferers because they’re easy to clean and rarely flower. When they bloom, they sprout a few white flowers with low pollen counts. Simply prune off the blossoms and let them decompose outdoors to discourage pollen grains from spreading in your home.

This central African native species prefers well-drained soil, moderate water, and partial shade or dappled sunlight. If you notice yellowing leaves, it could be from overwatering, too little light, or not enough water. Adjust your care schedule to match the snake plant’s needs, and it’ll produce tongue-like fronds for years.

Whale Fin Snake Plant

The whale fin snake plant is aesthetically unique and perfect for houseplant collectors with allergies. It’s similar to other snake plants, except its leaves are ginormous! They’re green, wide, and long with white spots. Although slow-growing, this is one hardy species you’ll enjoy watching grow throughout the years.

Like other snake plants, this species may flower after many seasons of healthy growth. Simply cut off the flower spikes to prevent pollen grains from spreading in the air. Dust may collect on the leaves; wipe them off with a moist rag every week to keep them clean and dust-free. 

If you have one whale fin snake plant, you’ll want many more! Propagate it by taking leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, or dividing existing plants. Give them free-draining soil, water them once their soil dries completely, and place them in a location with partial shade or bright indirect sunlight. 

Spider Plant

Spider plants earn their name for the spider-like baby plants that sprout off their flowering stems. Place one in a hanging basket to fully enjoy its unique form. Little spider plants will grow downward, creating a structure that resembles Cousin Itt from The Addams Family! 

With dozens of cultivars that have unique leaf shapes, colors, and variegation, there’s sure to be a spider plant for you. They’re great for houseplant lovers with allergies; they have tiny flowers with little pollen, and they remain leafy for most of the year. 

To allergy-proof your snake plant, snip the white blossoms off before they open and leave the stems in place. Baby spider plants sprout in place of the cut flower buds. Place the babies in containers with soil or water for new plants, or leave them on the mother plant to add to its decor. Dust may collect on the leaves; spray off the specimen with water or dust each leaf with a moist cloth. 

Coleus

Coleus is a favorite houseplant for its gorgeous, variegated foliage. Find varieties with red, orange, yellow, green, and maroon leaves. Coleus may sprout flowers during the fall, although you can prune them off to redirect energy towards leafy growth. The small purple flowers are tiny in comparison to other flowering houseplants, making them ideal for allergy sufferers. 

For a green-yellow cultivar, try ‘Electric Lime.’ It has yellow veins and green shades in between them. ‘French Quarter’ is an iconic type with classic pink, maroon, and green variegation. You’ll see many coleus specimens with these three colors. For giant foliage, opt for any variety within the ‘Kong’ series. Their leaves are two to three times as large as normal species! Can’t make up your mind? Go for a mix of many different kinds like ‘Rainbow Blend.’

While the leaves of this houseplant may grow dusty, they often replace themselves with new growth. Most mature leaves will turn brown and fall off before they get too dusty. If they trigger your allergies, consider showering them or wiping their leaves with a wet rag. 

Ti Plant

Ti plants bring tropical vibes to indoor spaces. They’re perfect little trees that enjoy our household conditions. They’ll thrive as houseplants with few drafts, bright lights, and regular water. Ti plants also grow well outdoors in warm zones 10 through 12. Plant them in a container and bring them outdoors for the summer and indoors for the winter in zones 9 and below. 

Some varieties of Ti plants exist for the curious cultivator. Try ‘Glauca’ for rich, green leaves that persist on the stems. Opt for ‘Maria’ if you prefer bright pink and red colors. They alternate on each leaf and create a beautiful contrast. Collectors should look for ‘Candy Cane.’ It’s a rare type with light yellow, green, and pink variegation.

Ti plants rarely flower indoors; they reach taller each year with strappy, long leaves that persist on their stems. Dust the leaves every few weeks to help the plant photosynthesize and to keep your nose happy. Cleaning the leaves gives this sun lover a boost, as it’ll have more access to direct sunlight without anything blocking its way. 

Golden Pothos

This list wouldn’t be complete without pothos! The infamous vining spreader quickly takes over in warm, tropical climates outdoors. Indoors, it’s a hardy houseplant that grows well in a wide range of exposures. Pin it to the wall, let it hang out over macrame pot holders, or propagate the stems in vases of water. 

To flower, pothos must clamber up tropical trees and reach their canopies. There, they transition into their adult form. Their leaves grow as large as those of monstera plants. The mature plants then sprout large peace lily-like blooms off thick stems. This rarely happens indoors, meaning you can enjoy the vines without worrying about their pollen spreading about.

Because this is a hardy vine, leaves persist for many weeks or months on their stems. They may attract grime and dirt, which could cause allergic reactions. Consider cleaning their leaves when they grow dusty to help ease your allergies.

Dragon Tree

Dragon trees are relatives of snake and corn plants in the same genus Dracaena. They grow like Ti plants, with leaves that sprout in a circle around a woody stem. They grow taller each year and can reach around 20 feet tall outdoors! Indoors, they’ll stay below six or seven feet and take a few years to grow that large.

Native to Madagascar, these houseplants are low maintenance and perfect for allergy sufferers. They rarely flower under bright indirect sunlight, meaning they won’t have pollen spreading throughout your home. Place them in a bright corner and have them grow up along the wall, or situate them near a window for a large, bushy plant.

Some unique varieties exist with special colors on their leaves besides the plain green of the species type. Try ‘Magenta’ for red margins on green leaves or ‘Tricolor’ for pink, white, and green striped foliage. 

ZZ Plant

ZZ plants are as hardy as snake plants! They’re tolerant of dark spaces, they need little water, and they perform well in a variety of rooms. They rarely produce blooms while inside our homes, although their leaves are pretty enough to exist on their own. Grow ZZ plants for their handsome, lush, and green foliage. 

Because ZZ plants rarely flower, they lack ample pollen, which causes indoor allergies. Their long-lived leaves may collect dust, but you can easily rub them off with a wet cloth. This species dies more often from overwatering than underwatering, so water them after their soil dries completely. 

Houseplant collectors may want to try growing the ‘Dowon’ ZZ plant instead of the species type. It also has the name Black Raven™ ZZ plant because of its dark, black leaves. They emerge light green like the species and slowly turn darker as they age. 

Red Aloe

If you’d like a decorative aloe with more ornamental interest than Aloe vera, try the red aloe! It’s a spectacular specimen with deep blush-red colored succulent leaves. This species reaches one to two feet tall and rarely flowers indoors, making it an ideal houseplant for people with allergies. 

Unlike most other plants on this list, red aloe needs full sun exposure indoors. It’ll quickly turn mushy or yellow without ample sunlight. Place it near a window that receives three or more hours of direct sunlight, or add grow lights to a dark room to brighten it up for the plant.

This aloe may flower after a few years of healthy growth. Aloe allergies are rare but still possible, so snip the blooms if you’re worried about reacting. If you leave the flowers alone, they likely won’t spread pollen and will fade before they cause allergic reactions. 

Asparagus Fern

This lacy, dainty plant is tougher than it looks! Thin asparagus-like spears emerge from the soil during the growing season, and they open fern-like fronds with dozens of tiny leafy needles. Along the stems are prickly spikes that protect this species from grazing. The spikes may poke you, so handle this plant with care. 

Asparagus fern is an ideal houseplant for allergy sufferers because it lacks a large leaf surface area. The tiny needles gather little dust. Additionally, this species prefers well-drained soil that discourages mold growth. It also rarely flowers indoors; if it does, the blooms are small with little pollen to spread.

It’s difficult to wipe asparagus fern with a cloth, so try showering it instead to wash off excess dirt and grime. You may also periodically chop the stems to the ground to rejuvenate the plant and encourage new bushy growth. Do this once or twice a year while the fern-like plant actively grows.

Baby Rubber Plant

These slow-growing spreaders lie halfway between shrubby and vining houseplants. Baby rubber plants can function as either type, depending on how you train them. Give them a bamboo stake and tie them to it for a tall plant, or let the vines hang out over the container’s edges. 

After many years, your baby rubber plants will have dozens of leaves with multiple stems. The leaves persist for months or even years indoors. They’ll need an occasional dusting to remove grime and help the plants photosynthesize. If male flowers appear, slice them off before they dump pollen to keep your house allergy-safe. 

The baby rubber plant species has forest-green leaves that resemble Chinese money plant foliage. Choose ‘Variegata’ if you prefer a showier specimen. Its creamy yellow-white and green variegation contrasts beautifully on each leaf.

Heartleaf Philodendron

Heartleaf philodendrons resemble pothos plants; they display dozens of leaves along creeping, free-rooting stems. There are hundreds of cultivars and many species with different leaf shapes, colors, and sizes. When you find your favorite variety you can take stem cuttings and propagate it further!

Like pothos, heartleaf philodendrons are easy to clean. They most likely won’t flower inside, making them pollen-free and hypoallergenic. Because they’re tropical, they need frequent watering to keep their soil moist but not soggy. Give them free-draining soil to ensure mold doesn’t grow and to keep their roots healthy.

Houseplant collectors have dozens of different varieties to choose from! Try ‘Micans’ for lush, dark-green leaves that are fuzzy to the touch. ‘Brazil’ is an iconic and beautiful variety many growers love for its green and yellow variegated leaves. If you want yellow leaves without any green in them, choose ‘Lemon Lime.’

String of Pearls

The string of pearls is a succulent trailer that hangs elegantly out of baskets. It has round succulent balls that act as leaves, and they sprout off thin green stems. Outdoors, a string of pearls is perfect for a sunny location with two or three hours of direct sunlight. Indoors it thrives in bright indirect light or near grow lights in dark rooms. 

Cinnamon-scented flowers appear on mature specimens. They form seeds with dandelion-like parachutes that carry them in the wind. If the flowers cause your allergies to flare up, simply snip them off and throw them outside to decompose. 

This succulent prefers well-drained soil with low water. Wait for the surface to dry between waterings, and you’ll avoid giving your specimen root rot. Turn potting soil into a perfect mix for this species by blending perlite or sand. 

String of Bananas

Slightly less cold-hardy, but just as beautiful as string of pearls, is the string of bananas plant! This species is a little more difficult to find than a string of pearls, but it is well worth the search. It sprouts banana-like succulent leaves instead of pearls, with light or dark green shades depending on the sun exposure.

Grow a string of bananas in a hanging container to enjoy the trailing stems in all their glory. The stems root freely along the soil, and you can propagate new plants with stem cuttings. Simply snip off a piece, remove the lower leaves, and stick it into well-draining soil for cacti or succulents.

This houseplant is hypoallergenic because it rarely flowers indoors and it’s easy to clean. Wash off the leaves in the shower when your plant has dry soil. You’ll give it the moisture it needs while removing dirt, grime, and dust from the leaves.

Burmese Evergreen

Burmese evergreen is one of my all-time favorite houseplants! Its lush, long, and patterned leaves add tropical flair wherever they sprout. If you live in zones 10 or 11 you can grow this species outside. Otherwise, it makes an excellent allergy-friendly houseplant under partial shade or bright indirect sunlight. 

Burmese evergreen is perfect for allergy sufferers because it’s easy to clean. Dust, dirt, and grime won’t be a problem. Your specimen may flower indoors after reaching maturity. It’ll sprout flowers resembling peace lilies with sheathes and a “spadix” at their center. The spadix has the male reproductive parts, and they may shed some pollen. Simply snip the blooms off before they can open to avoid allergic reactions.

This plant spreads through new shoots that sprout from underground roots. You can divide these in early spring, or transplant the entire plant into a larger pot so it can grow more shoots. Give your Aglaonema plants regular water, letting the soil dry out between waterings, and they’ll thrive for many seasons. 

Burro’s Tail

Burro’s tail, or donkey’s tail plant, is a succulent vining spreader with blue-green foliage. The leaves are fleshy and round, and they sprout in a rosette around the stems. Each leaf can start a new plant, sprout roots, and grow new stems after falling to the ground. Easy to clean, propagate, and grow, burro’s tail is an ideal houseplant with few needs. 

Because burro’s tail needs lots of sunlight to form flowers, it’ll rarely do so indoors. If your specimen receives full sun or partial shade for a few years, it’ll sprout red-pink flowers at the ends of its stems. Snip these off before they open to avoid unnecessary pollen indoors. You may find the flowers don’t affect your allergies, which means you can let them bloom without snipping them off. 

Burro’s tail needs little water, plenty of light, and free-draining soil. Grant these three conditions, and it’ll continue spreading downwards for many seasons. Propagate fresh specimens with stem cuttings, or plant the leaves on top of the soil in new containers to sprout new plants.

Elephant’s Ear

Elephant’s ear, or alocasia, is a common name for an entire genus of lush tropical houseplants. The plants originate from Asia and Australia, growing underneath forest canopies on the ground floor. Their large leaves capture filtered light to convert it into energy. Indoors, they’re cute specimens that perform well away from drafts and harsh direct sunlight. 

Elephant’s ear plants are hypoallergenic when they’re not flowering. The pollen-rich blooms may trigger allergic reactions if they open, as they have dusty pollen grains that can waft in the air. Prune off the blooms before they flower fully, and throw them outside to decay naturally. If dust or dirt forms a thick layer on the leaves, clean them with a moist rag until they shine again.

Elephant’s ear plants spread through corms underground and seeds aboveground. Use either to propagate mature specimens in spring or summer. These plants love moisture, so check on their soil moisture levels often. Keep them moist and not soggy and they’ll thrive the whole year indoors. 

5 Houseplants to Avoid

Now that we’ve covered which species to try in your hypoallergenic home, we should discuss which plants to avoid. These species trigger allergic reactions and are some of the most common offenders in indoor spaces. 

Weeping Fig

The weeping fig is a type of Ficus tree that displays zig-zagging branches with pointy, green leaves. It’s highly decorative, which is why many houseplant lovers grow it in their homes. If you have plant allergies, you’ll want to avoid growing weeping figs as houseplants. A study found that it has compounds in its leaves that may trigger allergic outbreaks in people sensitive to them. 

Instead of a weeping fig, consider growing similar woody trees with green leaves. Dwarf umbrella plant is one good option; it has finger-like leaves and a green trunk that turns thick and woody with age. If you’d prefer a Ficus species, opt for Chinese banyan. It doesn’t have criss-crossing twigs like weeping figs do, although it grows well as a bonsai tree and you can shape it how you’d like.

English Ivy

Ivy also made the study’s list of plants to avoid for allergy sufferers. It has compounds in its leaves that may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. The flowers are rich in pollen and nectar, and the pollen granules easily spread indoors with drafts, airflow, and fans. Avoid growing English ivy or its relatives to keep your nose happy.

There are hundreds of vining houseplants you can use in place of English ivy! Try creeping fig or string of turtles for tropical looks. Virginia creeper or Boston ivy work well as replacements, as they have woody stems and lush green leaves like English ivy plants. 

Pothos is the ultimate indoor vine, as it rarely flowers and thrives with even less light than ivy plants need. Choose your favorite hypoallergenic option, and you’ll avoid allergic sensitivities in the safe confines of your home. 

Yucca

Yucca is the genus name for dozens of species of aloe-like plants. They form spiky, long leaves from a central stem. Large flower spikes emerge from the stems during autumn as days shorten and temperatures cool. Although yucca plants are gorgeous, hardy, and drought-tolerant specimens, they also trigger allergies in many people.

Instead of plants in the Yucca genus, opt for succulents in the Aloe genus. They’re much more hypoallergenic, with fewer blooms and not as many allergy-triggering compounds. Grant them full sun or partial shade indoors, and water them once their soil dries completely to avoid root rot. 

Palm Tree

Palms are lovely outdoor and indoor plants with frond-like leaves that extend off woody trunks. They’re one of the oldest plant types, and they thrive in both temperate and tropical climates. They’re not ideal for allergy sufferers as they contain compounds that may trigger reactions in those sensitive to palms. Outdoors, their ample pollen grains float down when the flowers bloom, creating ripe conditions for allergy attacks.

If you have many pollen and plant allergies, consider avoiding any plant in the palm family Arecaceae. Choose houseplants that resemble palms but that originate from different families. Ponytail palm, sago palm, and species in the Pachypodium genus are ideal for allergy sufferers who want the palm aesthetic in their house.

If you have true palms, avoid touching their leaves with bare skin and remove their flowers before they dump pollen. These two actions will help you avoid allergy attacks while you tend to your palm trees. 

Flowering Plants

	botanical name Angiosperms
	hardiness zones 1-13

Flowering plants include any species that has blossoms in the angiosperm group. Magnolias, orchids, and most of our food crops are flowering plants. They’re the species that are often the most decorative of all plants, as they have unique flower colors, shapes, and sizes. They’re not ideal for allergy sufferers because flowers produce pollen, and pollen triggers allergic sensitivities.