quality discount flower bulbs

Houseplants for a Healthy Home

Houseplants for a healthy home.

Reasearch suggests that reducing pollutants in our homes can be as simple as adding a few houseplants. A two year study by NASA found that plants provide a natural, low cost way to clean indoor air and combat "sick building syndrome". For example, in a 24-hour period, a spider plant can remove 80 percent of the formaldehyde pollutants from an enclosed room.

Some Botany

Virtually all plants are powerful air cleaners. Carbon dioxide enters the leaves, and through complex chemical reactions, the process of photosynthesis takes place and oxygen is released into the air.

More simply put, the plant acts as a filter by removing pollutants from the air and replacing the air with oxygen in a more pure form. When airborne pollutants interfere with the exchange of gases, symptoms such as itchy throat, burning eyes or other rspiratory problems begin to appear.

Pollutants and Their Antidotes

The three harmful pollutants commonly found in today's homes are benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene (TCE). It is estimated that 15 to 20 of these houseplants can purify the interior of a typical house of 1,800 square feet.

Here is the information on these pollutants and the plants that combat them:

Benzene

Benzene is a commonly found solvent and is found in tobacco smoke, gasoline, inks, oils, paint, plastic and rubber. It's also used in the manufacture of detergents, pharmaceuticals and dyes. Exposure to benzene can cause dizziness, nervousness, headaches, anemia and it irritates both the eyes and skin.

Plants that remove benzene are: gerbra daisy, chrysanthemum, spathiphyllum (peace lily), chamaedorea sefritzii (bamboo palm), dracaena warneckei, hedera helix (english ivy) and sansevieria (snake plant).

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is found in virtually all indoor environments. Its major sources include insulation, particleboard and paper products. Many cleaning products also contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde irritates the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory system and can increase the risk of asthma.

Plants that remove formaldehyde are: chamaedorae sefritzii (bamboo palm), dracaena Janet Craig, sansevieria (snake plant), dracaena marginata, spathiphyllum (peace lily), chlorophytum (spider plant), epipiremnum aureum (golden pothos) and philodendron scanders oxycardium (heartleaf philodendron).

Trichloroethylene (TCE)

Trichloroethylene has a wide variety of industrial uses. It is used in inks, paints, varnishes and adhesives. According to the National Cancer Institute, TCE is a carsinogen that attacks the liver.

Plants that remove TCE are: gerbra daisy, chrysanthemum, dracaena marginata, spathiphyllum (peace lily), dracaena Janet Craig and chamaedorea (bamboo palm).

Purifying Plants

Most of these plants, listed below, evolved in tropical or sub-tropical forests, where they receive only filtered light through the taller trees. These air-cleaning plants have adapted to the lower light conditions, so most of them are perfectly suited to the light conditions we can offer them in out homes.

Aglaonema modestum (Chinese evergreen)

  • One of the easiest houseplants to grow and tolerates low light
  • Water throroughly and let the soil dry out between watering

Chamaedorea Sefritzii (Bamboo Palm)

  • Thrives in medium to high light and likes average room temperatures with lots of humidity
  • From spring to fall water well and then moderately during winter

Chrysanthemum

  • Keep them cool and moist
  • If in bud, fertilize every two weeks
  • When they start to wither and die, it's best to replace them

Chlorophytum Comosum (Spider Plant)

  • Likes average temperatures with bright light, but can tolerate medium light
  • Water thoroughly and let the soil dry out between waterings

Dracaena Janet Craig (Corn Plant)

  • Prefers bright light but not direct sun
  • Water thoroughly spring through fall, and in the winter, let the soil dry out between waterings

Dracaena marginata (Red-edged Dracaena)

  • Easy to grow in bright to medium light, average home temperatures

Epipemnum aureum (Golden Pothos)

  • Climbing or trailing vine
  • An excellent choice for less than optimum conditions because it tolerates low light and infrequent watering

Gerbra Daisy

  • Indoors requires bright light to flower
  • Keep soil slightly moist

Hedra Helix (English Ivy)

  • Prefers temperatures from 18.5C in the day to 7C at night
  • Water thoroughly and let the soil dry out between watering

Philodendron scandens oxycardium (Heartleaf Philodendron)

  • Easy to grow, happy in home temperatures
  • Good for low light situations
  • Let soil dry out between waterings

Sansevieria Trifasciata (Snake Plant)

  • This plant tolerates almost any amount of neglect, but with a little attention, can be lovely
  • Does well in all light situations
  • Do not overwater

Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily)

  • Easy to grow
  • Tolerates low light conditions and blooms im medium light situations
  • Keep soil slightly moist

Happy gardening!

Back to top