Do Succulents Release Oxygen and Improve Indoor Air?

Yes, succulents do release oxygen, but their ability to significantly clean your indoor air is often misunderstood. You might be wondering if your cute little collection is enough to make a real difference in your home’s atmosphere.

I’ll clear up the confusion based on my years of growing hundreds of succulents and diving into the plant science. We’ll explore how they release oxygen, their real impact on air purification, and the best benefits they actually provide for your home.

The Science Behind Succulents and Oxygen Release

Let’s get into the fascinating science of how these plants breathe. Succulents perform a special type of photosynthesis called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism, or CAM. I find this process incredible because it’s a brilliant survival adaptation for dry climates.

Most plants open their pores, called stomata, during the day to take in carbon dioxide. This is when they release oxygen. But this also lets a lot of water escape. Succulents flipped the script to conserve every precious drop. They store water in their thick, fleshy leaves and stems. This lets them survive long dry spells.

Here’s how CAM photosynthesis works in your home:

• At night, the succulent opens its stomata to absorb carbon dioxide from your room’s air.
• It stores this CO2 as an acid to use later.
• During the day, with its pores tightly closed to prevent water loss, it uses the stored carbon dioxide and sunlight to create its food (sugars).
• Oxygen is released as a byproduct of this process throughout the day.

This means your jade plant or aloe vera is one of the few houseplants that gives you a fresh oxygen boost during daylight hours. From my experience tracking plant growth, the oxygen release is continuous but gentle-it’s not a massive burst, but a steady, reliable trickle that adds up.

To visualize the day/night cycle:

Time of Day	Stomata (Pores)	Carbon Dioxide (CO2)	Oxygen (O2) Release
Daytime	Closed	Using stored CO2	Steady release
Nighttime	Open	Actively absorbing	Minimal release

How Succulents Contribute to Indoor Air Quality

Beyond oxygen, succulents are quiet little air scrubbers. Their ability to pull volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air is their real superpower for your home’s health. I’ve noticed a fresher smell in rooms where I keep a cluster of succulents, especially after painting or bringing in new furniture.

Research, including the famous NASA Clean Air Study, identified several common succulents as effective at removing toxins. They absorb these chemicals through their leaves and roots, and soil microbes help break them down. Like any houseplant, succulents can fall prey to common pests and diseases. When problems arise, early detection and targeted treatments such as rinsing affected areas, using insecticidal soap, or appropriate fungicides help treat them and keep plants healthy.

Here are the top air-purifying succulents I always recommend:

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria): A champion at filtering formaldehyde and benzene, common in cleaning products and plastics.
2. Aloe Vera: Excellent for removing formaldehyde from varnishes and floor finishes.
3. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata): My go-to for a bedroom, as it’s noted for its air purification capabilities.
4. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera): A beautiful, non-toxic option that helps clean the air.

A single plant makes a difference, but creating a small “green gallery” on a shelf multiplies the air-cleaning effect noticeably. I have a windowsill in my kitchen dedicated to this-it’s both decorative and functional.

Keep your expectations realistic for a major impact. You would need a significant number of plants to match the air exchange of simply opening a window for a few minutes. Think of succulents as a wonderful, natural supplement to good ventilation, not a complete replacement.

For the best results, place your succulents in the rooms where you spend the most time, like your home office or living room. Their consistent, low-level cleaning works best with constant exposure. Regularly wiping the leaves with a soft brush or damp cloth helps remove dust and dirt safely. Clean succulents stay healthy and continue to brighten your space without harsh cleaners.

Succulents vs. Other Air-Purifying Houseplants

You might be wondering how your little jade plant stacks up against a large, leafy peace lily. While all plants contribute to cleaner air, they don’t all work in the same way or at the same pace. From my years of collecting, I’ve found that understanding these differences helps you build a more effective indoor garden.

Many classic air-purifying plants, like snake plants and aloe vera, are actually succulents themselves. The famous NASA study highlighted their ability to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde. What truly sets many succulents apart is their unique Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis process. This is the superpower that lets them release oxygen at night.

Here’s a quick comparison based on my own observations:

Plant Type	Best For	Considerations
Succulents (e.g., Snake Plant, Aloe)	Nighttime oxygen release, low maintenance, resilience	Smaller leaf surface area means slower purification rate for a single plant
Broad-Leaf Plants (e.g., Peace Lily, Pothos)	Rapid removal of airborne toxins, high transpiration	Often require more frequent watering and higher humidity

The real magic happens when you combine them. I like to think of broad-leaf plants as the workhorses that clean the air all day, while my succulents are the night-shift workers, freshening the bedroom air while I sleep. You don’t have to choose one over the other; a mix creates a more dynamic and effective system.

Top Succulent Varieties for Better Air Quality

Not all succulents are created equal when it comes to their air-enhancing abilities. Based on both scientific research and my personal experience with what thrives indoors, here are my top picks for boosting your home’s air quality. When it comes to benefits and popularity of succulents, these stand out for their air-purifying qualities.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

This is the undisputed champion. I have several in my home, and their architectural look is a bonus. The Snake Plant is a CAM photosynthesis superstar, consistently ranked as one of the best for removing benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene. It’s practically indestructible, tolerating low light and infrequent watering, which makes it perfect for beginners.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)

This is a two-for-one plant that sits on my kitchen windowsill. Aloe Vera is excellent at clearing formaldehyde and benzene, common in chemical cleaning products. Plus, the gel inside the leaves is a fantastic, natural burn cream for minor kitchen accidents. It loves bright light and is very easy to propagate, so you can quickly grow your own air-purifying fleet.

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

My jade plant is one of my oldest houseplants, and its presence is wonderfully calming. While not studied as extensively as the snake plant, jade plants are confirmed CAM plants, contributing to that valuable nighttime oxygen boost. They are symbols of good luck and are incredibly long-lived with just a bit of direct sun and thorough watering when the soil is completely dry.

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)

This one is a seasonal delight. The Christmas Cactus is a fantastic CAM plant that puts on a spectacular show of blooms in the winter, just when we need a lift the most. It helps remove VOCs from the air and, unlike many desert succulents, it prefers a bit more humidity and indirect light, making it great for bathrooms. With proper Christmas cactus care, you can encourage a stronger bloom display. Forcing blooms in winter benefits from cooler nights and a longer period of darkness.

Quick Tip: Group several of these succulents together to create a more powerful “clean air zone” in your favorite room. A cluster of plants will have a greater collective impact on your indoor environment than a single plant scattered here and there.

Caring for Succulents to Maximize Air Benefits

To get the most oxygen and air-cleansing power from your succulents, they need to be in peak health. A thriving, actively growing plant is far more efficient at photosynthesis than a stressed one. I’ve seen my own plants perk up noticeably after a simple care adjustment, which directly translates to better air. Adequate light and gentle airflow help prevent succulent diseases by keeping foliage dry and reducing humidity around the plant. When air moves around a plant, moisture evaporates faster, lowering the chance of mold, rot, and other infections.

Provide Plenty of Bright, Indirect Light

Light is the fuel for photosynthesis. Without enough of it, the entire oxygen-producing process slows down. Position your succulents near a south or east-facing window where they get several hours of gentle, indirect sunlight daily. I keep a jade plant on my desk about a foot away from a large window, and its plump, green leaves are a testament to how happy it is.

Master the “Soak and Dry” Watering Method

This is the single most important skill for succulent care. You want to mimic the desert downpours they’re adapted to, especially when using bottom watering techniques.

1. Wait until the soil is completely dry all the way to the bottom of the pot.
2. Take the plant to the sink and drench the soil until water runs freely out the drainage hole.
3. Let all excess water drain away completely before returning it to its saucer.

This cycle of deep drought followed by a thorough soak encourages strong, healthy roots that efficiently support the plant’s functions. A plant struggling with root rot from overwatering can’t focus on cleaning your air.

Use a Gritty, Fast-Draining Soil Mix

Regular potting soil holds too much moisture and will suffocate succulent roots. I always mix my own using two parts potting soil to one part perlite and one part coarse sand. This creates an airy environment that allows roots to breathe and prevents waterlogging, which is essential for a healthy, oxygen-releasing plant. For succulents, using perlite succulent soil mixes helps maximize drainage and air space.

Keep Them in a Comfortable Temperature Range

Succulents perform best in the same temperatures we find comfortable—generally between 60°F and 80°F (15°C and 27°C). In other words, 60–80°F is the optimal temperature range for succulents. Some species tolerate a bit more heat or cold, but otherwise staying within this range helps them thrive. Avoid placing them in drafty spots next to doors or directly over heat vents, as extreme temperature swings can cause stress. A stressed plant goes into survival mode and slows its growth and metabolic processes.

Common Myths About Succulents and Air Purification

There’s a lot of excitement about plants cleaning our air, but some claims have been stretched. Let’s clear the air on a few common misconceptions I often hear.

Myth: A Few Succulents Will Fully Purify a Room’s Air

This is probably the biggest myth. While succulents do remove trace volatile organic compounds (VOCs), you would need an immense number of plants to match the purification power of a simple open window. The famous NASA study that started this conversation was conducted in a sealed, highly controlled chamber, which is very different from a drafty, open-plan home. Think of them as a helpful supplement, not a replacement for ventilation.

Myth: All Succulents Release Oxygen at Night

This one is partially true but often misunderstood. Only succulents that use a specific type of photosynthesis called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) release oxygen at night. Many common succulents, like Aloe Vera, Snake Plants, and Christmas Cacti, are CAM plants. However, not all are. Echeverias and Sempervivums (Hens and Chicks) are classic examples of CAM succulents. The key takeaway is that it’s a specific adaptation, not a universal trait for the entire succulent family.

Myth: Bigger Leaves Always Mean More Oxygen

It’s not just about leaf size; it’s about the plant’s overall health and metabolic rate. A small, compact succulent that is actively growing in ideal conditions can be more efficient than a large, leggy one that is light-deprived. I have a small, tight rosette of a Graptopetalum that puts out more new growth-and thus more oxygen-than a larger, older jade plant that’s just maintaining itself.

Myth: Succulents are the “Best” Air-Purifying Plants

“Best” is subjective and depends on your goals. If your primary goal is removing large amounts of VOCs, larger leafy plants like Peace Lilies or Devil’s Ivy might be more effective due to their greater leaf surface area. The unique benefit of CAM succulents is their 24-hour oxygen production, making them excellent bedroom companions. They are a fantastic, low-maintenance *part* of a diverse indoor plant collection.

Common Questions

How many succulents do I need to purify the air in a room?

You would need a very large number of succulents to purify an entire room, as their impact is best as a supplement to good ventilation.

Is the NASA study on plants and air quality relevant to my home?

The NASA study was conducted in a sealed chamber, so the results are not directly comparable to a normal, drafty home environment.

Do all types of succulents release oxygen at night?

No, only succulents that use Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis, like Snake Plants and Aloe Vera, release oxygen at night.

Can succulents remove specific toxins like formaldehyde?

Yes, certain succulents like Snake Plants and Aloe Vera are effective at removing specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene from the air.

Are succulents better than an air purifier?

No, succulents are a natural supplement for air quality but cannot match the air exchange rate of a mechanical air purifier or an open window.

Are the top air-purifying succulents safe for pets?

While some are excellent for air quality, like the Snake Plant, it is mildly toxic to pets if ingested, so always check a plant’s safety for your household.

Your Mini Indoor Oasis Awaits

While they won’t single-handedly purify your entire home’s air, succulents do release oxygen and can contribute to a healthier indoor environment, especially when you group them together and care for them properly. Here’s a quick recap of how to make the most of your green companions:

• Place a few in your bedroom to enjoy their nighttime oxygen release.
• Combine them with other houseplants for a broader air-cleaning effect.
• Keep them healthy with plenty of light and proper watering for peak performance.

For more tips on keeping your succulents thriving and beautiful, be sure to follow along right here. You’re doing a wonderful thing by bringing more green into your life, and I’m here to help you every step of the way. Learn what succulents need to thrive to ensure they stay healthy and vibrant.

Further Reading & Sources

• 10 Succulents Release Oxygen at Night | THE NEXT GARDENER – Thenextgardener
• Do Succulents Produce Oxygen? | Orchid Republic – Orchid Republic Floral Boutique
• Do cacti and succulents produce the same amount of oxygen as other plants per unit of green stuff surface area? – Quora
• So, What’s A Succulent? – Wingard’s Market