Improving Air Quality with Plants
The quality of air we breathe is very important. In fact, a person could last for 21 days without food, and three days without water, but definitely less than three minutes without air! As you pay attention to these numbers, you’ll begin to realize that air quality is essential to optimum health. That’s why aside from property design, it’s also important to focus on other things as well– this includes how you could utilize indoor plants to improve air quality.
Houseplants Improve the Home Environment
Any homeowner understands the importance to preserving their property. There are many aspects involved in such a responsibility and the air is simply one of them.
Why not keep your air clean in a natural way?
Ask any interior designer and he’d tell you that houseplants aren’t only functional decorations for a home; they also clean the air you breath To support that, several studies have revealed that potted plants are capable of improving the work and living space by improving concentration, productivity, lowers anxiety, raises job satisfaction, and most importantly, it can also lower down your blood pressure.
This has been made possible because there are a certain types of plants that eliminate pollutants by absorbing the toxins through the roots and leaves. This can be very helpful inside a home as it can clean the air that circulates inside.
The Best Plants to Use
Here are some of the plants that work great in filtering indoor air and non-toxic for both children and pets.
– Spider Plant: Spider plants have a good reputation when it comes to absorbing up to 90% of carbon monoxide and formaldehyde brought by tobacco smoke and O-xylene from fuels, as well as P-xylene present in plastics. For those who have never taken care of plants before, spider plants can also be a good start as they are very low maintenance.
– Jade Plant: For a newly-painted home, a jade plant is something that you should definitely consider. It effectively absorbs toluene released by paint, gasoline, lacquers, and kerosene. Aside from that, these plants are easy to maintain because they flourish even in a single pot, at room temperature, and medium light. Just make sure that before you water your jade plant, the soil have already dried up. In case that the leaves are turning brown, it can also be an indication that you should water it already.
– Caribbean Tree Cactus: Cactuses are great as indoor plants because they have the ability of absorbing as much as 80% of the ethylbenzene in the area where they’re placed. For those who are not aware, this is the chemical often released by garden care products, electronics, toys, and even furniture. The good thing about cactus is that they’re also low maintenance. You just have to put them in clay pots with the right amount of food, water, and sunlight.
– Ferns: Ferns are known for providing humidity in one’s home and you just simply have to give them the right amount of water.
– English Ivy: English Ivies are very easy to grow, making them excellent houseplants. Aside from that, they absorb toxins real well– be it from cigarette smoke or other fumes.
Now that you know some of the most common house plants that could improve air quality, the next step would be familiarizing yourself on how to take care of these plants.
– Trough planters are perfect as natural screens. Not only do they reduce noise, they’re also great as barriers that separate walkways.
– Refrain from over watering your plants! It has been one of the most common causes of plant death.
– Just like any other living things, your plants also need sunlight, water, and warmth to stay healthy. That means despite the fact that most indoor plants are low maintenance, you still have to ensure that you’re taking good care of them.
– You have to remember that plants acclimatise slowly to different surroundings by changing their structure and leaf orientation. If possible, you should keep yourself from moving them from one place to another as it would make it harder for them to adapt.
– Peat free compost are perfect for indoor plants.
– Plants should be pruned regularly as this would prevent the issue of getting “leggy.”
Final Words
You don’t have to be a genius to know that plants produce oxygen. However, you are probably not aware that they also absorb contaminants, such as formaldehyde and benzene effectively. Thus, if you want to ensure the indoor air quality of your home and the health of the inhabitants, better start exploring how you can use plants as home decors.