Best Indoor Plants to Reduce Noise in Apartments

I recently moved back into my old flat. It’s a lovely light space, full of charm, but I’d forgotten just how noisy it can be; thin walls, loud neighbours, and the constant hum of city life. I’ve always preferred a minimal setup, but even so, I found myself adding soft, fluffy rugs to help mute the sounds. Then I stumbled across something I hadn’t really considered before: plants can actually help too.

Best Indoor Plants to Reduce Noise in Apartments

And not just in a decorative way. The right plants can soften echoes, absorb some of the noise that bounces around a room, and even create a calmer, more balanced atmosphere. While they won’t replace professional soundproofing, they’re a surprisingly effective (and natural) tool for making a home feel quieter and more serene. Here’s how it works and which plants are best for creating your own “green buffer” against everyday noise.

The Science: How Plants Help Reduce Noise

Plants don’t just look good; their structure gives them natural acoustic qualities:

• Absorption – Leaves, stems, and soil all contain small pockets of air that can trap and dampen sound energy.

• Diffusion – Unlike hard walls, plant surfaces scatter sound waves, breaking up echoes.

• Deflection – Dense greenery helps redirect noise, softening the impact of external sounds.

• Added Mass – Groupings of plants (or even vertical green walls) add volume to a space, which helps reduce the amount of sound travelling through it.

In short, plants won’t magically silence a noisy neighbour, but they can reduce background hums, echoes, and sharp sounds that make a space feel louder than it really is.

Best Plants for Softer Sound

If you want to make your space feel calmer, here are some of the best indoor plants to reduce noise:

• Peace Lily – Broad leaves that absorb sound and also purify the air.

• Rubber Plant – Thick, glossy leaves that are great for soaking up echoes.

• Areca Palm – Feathery fronds that diffuse sound waves beautifully.

• Boston Fern – Dense foliage works like a soft green cushion for sound.

• Snake Plant – Upright, fleshy leaves that break up sound reflections.

• Monstera – Large split leaves help scatter sound in multiple directions.

• English Ivy – Trails along walls or shelves, creating a living buffer.

Tip: Bigger leaves and denser foliage usually mean better sound absorption.

Smart Placement Tips

It’s not just about the plants you choose, but where you put them:

• Along noisy walls – Place tall or dense plants against shared walls to soften sound.

• Corners & edges – Cluster plants in corners where echoes often build.

• Layer heights – Use a mix of floor plants, tabletop plants, and hanging greenery for a textured effect.

• Near windows – Add planters on windowsills or shelves to help buffer street noise.

• Green partitions – Create mini “living walls” or rows of plants to divide open-plan spaces.

How Indoor Plants Reduce Noise: Smart Placement

More Than Just Quieter Rooms

The beauty of using plants for noise is that you also get a whole list of extra benefits:

• Cleaner air – Many plants filter toxins and add oxygen.

• Balanced humidity – More comfortable air quality, especially in winter.

• Improved mood – Greenery naturally reduces stress and boosts focus.

• Aesthetic calm – Plants soften harsh interiors, adding warmth without clutter.

Getting Started

If you’re dealing with a noisy apartment and want a natural solution, start small:

1. Pick three to five plants with different shapes and sizes.

2. Place them in areas where sound feels strongest.

3. Add more over time, experimenting with placement.

Even a few well-chosen plants can make a noticeable difference—not just to the way your home looks, but to how it feels and sounds.

Best Indoor Plants to Reduce Noise: Final Thoughts

Moving back into my flat reminded me that noise is a part of city life I can’t control—but how I respond to it is up to me. By surrounding myself with greenery, I’ve found a simple and natural way to soften the soundscape, making my home feel fresher and calmer. Plants may not silence the world outside, but they do help create a quieter sanctuary inside.

FAQs About Plants and Noise Reduction

1. Do indoor plants really absorb sound? Yes. While plants won’t completely soundproof a space, their leaves, stems, and soil absorb and diffuse sound waves. This helps reduce echoes and soften background noise, making a room feel calmer.

2. Which plants are best for reducing noise in apartments? Broad-leaved and dense plants work best. Popular choices include peace lilies, rubber plants, areca palms, snake plants, and Boston ferns. Large-leafed varieties, such as monstera, are also very effective.

3. How should I arrange plants to reduce noise? Cluster plants along walls, in corners, and near windows. Mixing heights (floor, table, and hanging plants) helps create a layered barrier that scatters sound more effectively.

4. Can plants replace professional soundproofing? Not entirely. Plants are a natural complement to rugs, curtains, and acoustic panels, but they can’t block heavy street or neighbour noise. Think of them as a softener rather than a complete solution.

5. Do plants provide other benefits besides noise reduction? Absolutely. Many indoor plants improve air quality, regulate humidity, reduce stress, and enhance the overall aesthetic of a home. They make spaces healthier as well as quieter.