The importance of healthy living and working environment is as essential as we drink filtered water. Even NASA came forward to sort out this issue and conducted a study on how to clean air and remove toxins.
Recently, COVID-19 has made us realize that how badly our bodies need fresh air and oxygen. Researchers of COVID-19 and medical staff have suggested to infected people, please surround themselves with the most occupied indoor plants. So, they can inhale excessive, refined, and unspoiled oxygen.
NASA Research
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) conducted a project, under the title “NASA clean Air Study” in association with ALCA (Associated Landscape Contractors of America).
The core purpose behind this project was to find the ways through which air can be purified. They found a natural way of removing volatile organic pollutants (benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde) in the form of indoor plants.
They did experiments in highly rushy and congested places where direct sunlight couldn’t reach. Further studies suggested that air cleaning is accomplished by planting a tree in 100 square feet of space. This experiment highlights the importance of indoor plants.
They concluded that indoor plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen for humans to inhale fresh air.
What do you know about the indoor plants except that it highlights the decor of your house? Although it enhances the beauty of your house or an office, it has various other impacts.
Indoor plants are excellent natural weapons to improve home air pollution. You should also know the importance and why you should use indoor plants. Let’s shed some light on it:
Indoor Plants that Clean the Air and Remove Toxins
We can see people around us who’re dying due to asthma and getting allergies over their whole bodies. All these things happen because of troublesome, cyanogenetic, and toxic resins.
Polluted air and lack of oxygen are the resources of decreased oxygen levels in the community.
Well, how many of us know about the toxins? You don’t need to worry, let’s discuss them one by one.
Formaldehyde — This type of toxin is usually found in wooden products, synthetic or artificially made fabric, tissues, and table linen.
Benzene — It is commonly found in lubricants, home cleaning detergents, vehicle exhausts, and adhesive materials.
Ammonia — You’ll found it in fertilizers and cleaning agents.
Trichloroethylene — It is found in household cleaning agents, varnishes, and paint.
Xylene — It has been detected in tobacco smoke, nail polish, and wall paint.
Indoor Plants that clean Air & Remove Toxins
Well, the previous discussion is why Indoor plants are significant and how it boosts energy levels. We haven’t covered what types of plants come under the category of indoor plants.
There’s a need to specify indoor plants so that everyone must know which plant is absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen in excess. Let’s go through them:
1. Snake Plant
One of the most easiest and common houseplants to care for is the snake plant. Another term being used for the snake plant is mother-in-law’s tongue having pointy leaves relatable to the tongue of mother-in-law. Simile has been used to exhibit the sharpness of both.
You just need to place it in a corner where sunlight sheds over it for a couple of hours a day. It can grow two meters in height maximum and required very low maintenance time, tools, and nutrients.
Scientific name – Its scientific name is Sansevieria Trifasciata.
Temperature – It can adapt to cool and warm temperatures.
Water – Moderate watering is preferred because over-watering needs extra care, especially in winters.
Pets – It is not poisonous at all but keeps your pets away from it. It may disturb their stomach because stomach irritation is the causal thing that has been observed after swallowing it.
Tips – Fertilize it at its growing stage with all of the essential food.
Remove Toxins: It lowers carbon dioxide and removes benzene, xylene, and formaldehyde from the air. It’s a natural way of getting glowing and healthy skin.
Snake plant absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at night. The reverse process happens for every plant during the daytime.
If you want a slight oxygen boost at night, this plant is one of the best indoor plants of your need.
2. Rubber Plant
Rubber plants are burgundy evergreen plants that originated from India. It’s a hardy plant that requires filtered sunlight, fortnightly watering in winter, and weekly watering in summers.
The rubber plant is tropical, large in size, a decorative plant that purifies the air and removes toxins.
It can grow well in a small pot as well as a tree in the backyard. It doesn’t require direct sunlight but moderate temperature neither sunny nor cloudy.
Scientific name – Ficus Elastica
Temperature – It needs moderate room temperature.
Water – Over-watering is prohibited, keep the soil dry.
Light – Bright and filtered indirect sunlight is preferred but can also grow in direct sunlight.
Pets – Keep your pets away from this mild irritant sap because it may cause serious issues later.
Tips – To optimize the air purification process, wipe down the leaves with a moist paper towel or baby wipes. 80 inches is the ideal height to which it should be kept. If it grows above 80”, pinch off the tips to let side shoots grow more. Keep replanting process in a cycle of a year.
Remove Toxins – It is such a tree that makes extraordinary specimens for home. It removes formaldehyde, xylene, and trichloroethylene from the air. In short, it is used for airborne toxins and combat against parasitic diseases.
It got its name due to the sticky white latex which once was used to manufacture rubber.
3. Peace Lily
Peace Lily is such a demanding and easy to look after plant that everyone loves to keep it in the house. It is usually used to fill up the corners.
Its lush push glossy green leaves make the perfect addition to any room’s window or furniture with low or moderate light conditions. It requires watering weekly and fertilizer in spring to promote the healthy growth of glorious white flowers.
Scientific Name – Spathiphyllum
Temperature – It requires moderate temperature or sometimes humidity. Avoid cold drafts.
Water – You’ve to water it weekly when you feel that its soil has been dried.
Light – It doesn’t require direct sunlight but is filtered through a medium.
Pets – Eating peace lily is injurious to health and causes severe irritation.
Tips – Peace lily needs re-potting when its soil starts exhausting. You’ll see its root in a mess usually after a year.
Remove Toxins — It filters xylene, formaldehyde, toluene, ammonia, and trichloroethylene from indoor air. It is not limited to toxin removal only but also associated with the removal of airborne mold. Airborne mold promotes allergies and asthma in people.
It doesn’t require solid support to hold on except a large window where I can receive high potency light to boost steady bloom.
4. Spider Plant
Spider plant needs moderate to low temperature environment. Its leaves don’t die even thoroughly dry. Regular watering produces many spiderettes that propagate the whole pot. The shoots of the baby spider plant are known as spiderettes.
It comes in variegated or green colors in a highly curl shape. You may have not seen such extremely adaptable plants. Its skull is so hard that no one can easily break it.
So, keeping its features under consideration, it is highly recommended for black thumbs!
Scientific Name – Chlorophytum comosum
Light – It doesn’t appreciate direct sunlight because sunlight can burn their leaves causing tips and spots to turn brown.
Temperature – Minimum temperature at which a spider plant can survive is recorded 2 degrees Celsius.
Water – It requires water approximately after a minimum one or maximum of two weeks
Pets – Spider plants are non-toxic and edible. It is safe for pets as well as young children.
Tips – They will flourish in indirect, bright light, and well-drained soil. Excessive watering turns it too soggy which leads to rot its roots.
Remove Toxins – Xylene and formaldehyde
Newbies or people having a bad experience with gardening are suggested to have spider plants once. Its leaves grow in less light and survive in any temperature condition.
5. Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreen is tolerant to moderate light conditions and survives in drought as well as the dry environment. Water it once a week and wait for the soil to dry before watering next time.
Heavy or excessive watering lead Chinese evergreen plant to fungal problems such as root or stem deteriorates.
NASA discovered various categories of Chinese evergreen. For instance, in one of their research, they highlighted Aglaonema crispum aka Silver Queen – a categorical plant of Chinese evergreen. Its name comes from the silver and green leaves.
Its leaves can reach up to two feet long and the plant itself grows one to three feet tall. It’s an air-purifying plant of steel that is known for tolerating low light conditions.
Scientific Name – Aglaonema
Temperature — Chinese evergreen requires a highly humid and misted soil-based environment.
Water – Chinese evergreen enjoys moderate watering not too low not too high. After watering let it dry for some days because over-watering may cause root deterioration. As far as fertilizers for Chinese evergreen plants are concerned, water-soluble fertilizers should be preferred once or two a year.
Light – Chinese evergreen thrives in indirect (medium to low) light conditions. Whatever place you choose for it, make sure it’s humid and warm. However, this plant is flexible enough to grow in non-ideal conditions too.
Pets – Chinese evergreen is poisonous to pets due to the presence of toxic elements. It contains calcium oxalate which is an insoluble substance. In some cases, it has been seen that calcium oxalate in Chinese evergreen causes swelling of the upper airway which can cause difficulty in breathing.
Tips – Dense leafing forms a crown-like shape. It doesn’t even require trimming. Pruning extra leaves can kill the beauty of the entire plant. Try to pick up pruners that you think make Chinese evergreen ugly.
RemoveToxins – It helps to remove formaldehyde and xylene from the air.
It is considered for those who’re going through a hectic schedule and can’t spare some time to look after plants. It is one of the toughest, easy to grow, and sturdy plants that look so beautiful in full-grown condition.
6. Aloe Vera
If anyone of us really knows the benefits of aloe vera, we all start eating it. Aloe Vera is one of the most beneficial plants that require a lot of light. Choose a south or west-facing window for it.
Succulent means it thrives in dryer areas making heated rooms one of the ideal environments. The reason behind most of the aloe vera death is overwatering.
Aloe Vera is categorized as a succulent plant for which good drainage is a must. It needs to be dried before watering next week. While watering, make sure all the water drains through the pot and never stores in the bottom tray.
One of the most important things to consider when caring for an Aloe Vera plant is that it is a type of succulent. As such, good drainage must be provided to this plant. Being succulent also means it thrives in dryer areas making air-heated homes ideal environments.
Scientific Name — Aloe Vera
Light – Aloe vera is the succulent plant associated with the kingdom of Aloe. It doesn’t appreciate direct sunlight because direct sunlight tends to dry out the plant and turn its leaves into pale yellowish leaves. The ideal location is nearby the kitchen where it can be used periodically but never place under direct sunlight.
Water – Aloe Vera preferably grows well in dry conditions. In winters, water should be sprinkled once a month because of the cold temperature. While on the other hand, once a week watering is sufficient for it.
Temperature – Aloe vera grows well in between 55 and 80°F. Ideally, every room, house, or apartment has the same temperature. So, you can keep your plant outdoors from May to September. Don’t forget to bring them back at night when you feel it’s cold outside!
Pets – Well, there are three species of aloe vera that are highly poisonous and prohibited. These are Aloe elata, Aloe bally, and Aloe ruspoliana. These species have a ratty odor and fortunately, two of them are rare. So, before using the aloe vera plant medicinally, check its type. Apart from these species, aloe vera is healthy to eat and its inside gel is used to get glowing, acne-free, and healthy skin.
Tips – Well-draining pots with drainage holes are preferred for succulent plants. This is because these holes provide plenty of room for water to come outside as well as roots to spread out. Artificial growth light can fasten its productivity.
Remove Toxins – It helps to remove formaldehyde from indoor air.
People who know its benefits can’t let it die easily. Its juice is digestive and can be used to treat burns or rashes. Ah, what a healthy remedy!
7. Pothos
Pothos is also known as golden pothos that eats common household toxins. It grows faster in water and can give color to any room with cascading tendrils.
Like many other vines, consider golden pothos at your garage absorbing benzene and monoxide. It can absorb car exhaust fumes formalized by formaldehyde and benzene. It’ll keep your garage free from toxins.
Scientific Name – Epipremnum aureum
Water – Try to let the soil completely dry before its next watering cycle begins. Excessive water causes the roots to decompose quickly.
Temperature – Pothos survives in 79- 90°F temperature. Its growth is ceased when the temperature lowers down from 70°F and goes up to 90°F.
Light – Pothos plant requires bright, direct sunlight for about 12-14 hours a day. The ideal place is an east-facing window or door. Full-day lightening can turn its leaves into sunburned and bleached.
Pets – Pothos plant is poisonous for cats and dogs and irritates touch. It’s not fatal but irritation to lips and tongue stimulates vomit.
Tips – Regular trimming is mandatory to avoid its roots from tangling.
Remove Toxins: It helps to purify the air from benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, carbon monoxide, and xylene.
People love to grow it in hanging baskets at the entrance of the house or in pots. Famous words about pothos are harder to “kill than to keep alive”
With that said, you must know how to get rid of grasshoppers in house.
Benefits of Indoor Plants
Plants in your home mean a hope to live more, cherish every moment of life, progress well! Every home interior covers a wall of your house with leafy vines and place greenish pots that liven up nearby your living area.
Whenever we open Instagram we see posts obsessed with greenery. Did you ever wonder why you feel fresh, happier, and healthier in your backyard? Well, there are many reasons for it. It’s time to get into the details:
1. You’ll inhale fresh oxygen through the air
COVID-19 patients face breathing problems. They can’t inhale air properly. If troublesome inhaling takes unspoiled oxygen into the lungs, it means you’re endangering yourself with lots of deadly risks.
Researchers have proved that indoor plants are used to remove 80% of toxins like benzene and formaldehyde from the volatile organic compounds. Dust-free and clean plants can only give better performance. Try to keep them under sunshine so that they can recharge.
2. A mandatory part of décor
Before filling up your room with expensive furniture and exported accessories, take some time to think again and again about how would you feel in that room? May plant help you to get that vibe.
Not only furniture, color contrast, and subsidiaries complete your house but indoor plants. These plants add liveliness, colors of the rainbow, and a moment of happiness.
Plants use to remove humidity, maintain optimal temperature and change physical appearance.
3. It gives a sense of achievement
It’s a psychological fact that if you feel alone, depressed, and down take one of them either a pet or a plant as your partner. This is because you’ll learn how to care for them at home. A sense of care, responsibility, and giving them precious time from your busy schedule improves the quality of life.
How many times you do so, you feel accomplished or feel like you’re done with the task of the day. You start talking or singing with them likely they’re talking or listening to your respectively.
In short, I’ve seen people who look after their plants as one of the most responsible and sensible people on this planet.
4. It reduces your anxiety
Potting a plant and actively maintaining it means you’re giving space to the new stuff in your mind, more responsibilities, and in short assorted reminders. New stuff replaces old memories or clear that memory storage part as time passes. Our mind psychologically develops the way we train it.
Plants enjoy care as well and grow better if we take care of them well and provide the essential physical benefits.
5. It enhances creativity plus productivity
The University of Exeter published a research paper where experiments proved that plants were and still are essential for human beings.
Altman says that if you pot plants in an office, the impact of plants can be observed by an overall reduction in stress and anxiety in employees. The office is the place where one has to work under every circumstance and needs quick ideas to put into action.
Plants develop abilities in employees to be more creative and focus on tasks that are assigned to them within a time frame. Indoor plants keep them alive and fresh.
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