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‘Grow’ fresh air in your home
By NICHELLE DEMOREST
dndemorest@ufl.edu
Trees and plants are beneficial to the environment and to our health in so many ways. Plants release oxygen into the air and remove carbon dioxide. They also filter out dust particles and impurities. Moisture is added to the air by water escaping from the leaves.
Liven things up by bringing in some houseplants this winter and reap the same benefits. Each person breathes about five to six liters of air per minute or 530 cubic feet of air per day. Plants in the home refresh all of that air with oxygen. The added humidity is a bonus, too, especially for homes with drying central heating and cooling.
Plants can clean the inside air, too. Toxins are given off by manmade materials and products such as carpets, glues, cleaners, paint and even artificial plants. These pollutants can cause all kinds of health problems from skin irritations to headaches and nausea. NASA researchers recommend that 1,800- square-foot homes (and orbiting space stations) have 15 to 18 houseplants to cleanse the air. And there is less dusting to do in a room graced by several houseplants.
Another attribute of plants is that they can just plain make us happier. We may be spending time indoors, but we are completing our ties with nature. Research supports the theory that plants have a calming effect on us by reducing our stress and blood pressure. What more can we ask? Well, we can ask for lush, colorful plants and pots to decorate our homes.
Proven air cleaners that are easy to grow indoors include philodendrons, pothos, bromeliads and spider plants. Weeping figs, bamboo palms, and dracaenas are nice tree-like plants to use as taller decorating accents. Great plants for the bedroom are orchids and succulents. These gems release oxygen at night, replenishing our air as we sleep.
In Holland, a Plant of the Year is chosen based on attractiveness, ease of growing and ability to clean the air. The winner in 2008 was Sansevieria, beating out Dracaena and Schefflera. Sansevieria, also known as snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, is a tough plant with stiff vertical leaves. It looks sensational, requires very little care, and is nearly indestructible.
Good news. All of these plants mentioned will tolerate areas with low light. Enjoy them in corners with low indirect light and let them liven up dull hallways. All the while they will be making your air, and your life, a little bit better.
For more information on choosing houseplants for your home, visit http://soulutionsforyourlife.com or ask the UF/IFAS master gardeners on Tuesday and Thursday mornings by calling 752-5384.
Liven things up by bringing in some houseplants this winter and reap the same benefits. Each person breathes about five to six liters of air per minute or 530 cubic feet of air per day. Plants in the home refresh all of that air with oxygen. The added humidity is a bonus, too, especially for homes with drying central heating and cooling.
Plants can clean the inside air, too. Toxins are given off by manmade materials and products such as carpets, glues, cleaners, paint and even artificial plants. These pollutants can cause all kinds of health problems from skin irritations to headaches and nausea. NASA researchers recommend that 1,800- square-foot homes (and orbiting space stations) have 15 to 18 houseplants to cleanse the air. And there is less dusting to do in a room graced by several houseplants.
Another attribute of plants is that they can just plain make us happier. We may be spending time indoors, but we are completing our ties with nature. Research supports the theory that plants have a calming effect on us by reducing our stress and blood pressure. What more can we ask? Well, we can ask for lush, colorful plants and pots to decorate our homes.
Proven air cleaners that are easy to grow indoors include philodendrons, pothos, bromeliads and spider plants. Weeping figs, bamboo palms, and dracaenas are nice tree-like plants to use as taller decorating accents. Great plants for the bedroom are orchids and succulents. These gems release oxygen at night, replenishing our air as we sleep.
In Holland, a Plant of the Year is chosen based on attractiveness, ease of growing and ability to clean the air. The winner in 2008 was Sansevieria, beating out Dracaena and Schefflera. Sansevieria, also known as snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, is a tough plant with stiff vertical leaves. It looks sensational, requires very little care, and is nearly indestructible.
Good news. All of these plants mentioned will tolerate areas with low light. Enjoy them in corners with low indirect light and let them liven up dull hallways. All the while they will be making your air, and your life, a little bit better.
For more information on choosing houseplants for your home, visit http://soulutionsforyourlife.com or ask the UF/IFAS master gardeners on Tuesday and Thursday mornings by calling 752-5384.
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