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Creating a Healthier Home with indoor plants
Looking to reduce toxins in your home? Most of us have flowers or plants of some sort in our homes, however, what we may not know, the right ones can have excellent health benefits. I have recently researched for our own home so I thought I would share my findings with you.
Studies have shown that having plants strategically placed in your home office or children/teenagers bedrooms can have a positive effect, helping to reduce stress, fatigue, improve concentration and enhance productivity due to the maintenance of healthy oxygen levels in the blood.
How do plants filter the air?
Plants do the opposite of what we do when we breathe – they take in carbon dioxide and convert it to oxygen. Most plants do this during the day.
The NASA Clean Air Study found that oxygen producing plants can be used to both produce oxygen, as well as remove common harmful chemicals from the air and break them down into harmless organic by-products into the soil, which the plants then use as food! Isn’t nature amazing?
Where do the toxins released in our homes come from?
You might not be aware of the culprits, but they are common household items and appliances that release chemicals into the air, one of these chemicals being Formaldehyde, amongst many others.
Synthetic products, synthetic carpets, petroleum products (release benzene), toys, chemical cleaners, air fresheners, tissues, paint, furniture with synthetic components and the list goes on…
How many plants do you need per household, where to place them & what are the health benefits?
The exact number of oxygen producing plants you'll need in your home is going to vary depending on:
• How much time you spend in your home (which right now, all the time!)
• Whether you live in the city, by the sea or countryside
• Whether or not there are trees around your home and how often you have the windows open
• The number of people living in your home
The NASA clean air study recommended 15-18 good sized oxygen producing plants and air cleaning plants for an 1,800 square foot (167.23 Square meters) house. Of course, that’s just an average.
According to Kamal Meattle during his TED talk, he recommends at least 10 plants (a variety of night and day oxygen producing plants as well as air purifying plants) per person. Of course, it is best to start with just a few oxygen producing plants in your home and increasing the number over time.
The Benefits that indoor plants bring into your home:
• Reducing carbon dioxide levels
• Increasing humidity
• Increasing oxygen levels
• Reducing levels of certain pollutants, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and nitrogen dioxide
• Reducing airborne dust levels
• Keeping air temperatures down
It is recommended to place plants within your breathing zone, which is about two square metres around where you normally sit or sleep, to get the full benefits.
How do our bodies deal with daily toxins?
Our bodies are designed to handle some naturally occurring metabolic and environmental toxins. However, it is not prepared to handle the excess toxins that are present in today’s world. The need to support and encourage removal of toxins on an ongoing basis is necessary due to the increased number of toxins that each person is now exposed to in food, water, and our environment. For example, chronic exposure to airborne toxins can overburden the lungs and effect your breathing.
In conclusion, growing clean air in our homes is so important for our overall health and wellbeing. Especially for the unprecedented times we are in right now, this is the one thing that we can control!
The Top 6 Air Cleaning Plants
That will add a touch of colour, remove toxins, and improve air quality in your home.
1. Areca Palm –
Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)
Areca palms are great for bigger spaces. They are a powerhouse when it comes to eliminating toxins. Like all plants the Areca Palm is biologically engineered to take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. However, what sets the Areca Palm apart is its ability to also purify the environment it is placed in, by removing dangerous chemicals such as formaldehyde, xylene and toluene.
Non-toxic: For children or animals.
2. Mother-in-laws Tongue -
Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii'
Of all the different oxygen producing plants, this one is unique since it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at night (the opposite of the timing process most plants follow). You may also want to put a couple of these plants in your bedroom, to give you a slight oxygen boost while you sleep.
Toxic: For both cats and dogs. Place it in a tall plant stand or raised area.
3. Golden Pothos/Devils Ivy -
Epipremnum aureum
This plant may be as close as plants can get to indestructible, hence the name ‘Devils Ivy’. It flourishes in a variety of conditions and can grow up to 8 feet long. It is also considered one of the most effective indoor air purifiers for removing formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, benzene, carbon monoxide, and more!
Toxic: For both animals and children so make sure to keep them out of reach and trim dead leaves to avoid any dropping on the floor.
4. Spider Plant -
Chlorophytum comosum
It is one of the most popular and easiest to grow of house plants.
The spider plant will clean the air in your house of benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene. Just do not confuse it with the toxic spider lily.
Non-toxic: For children or animals.
5. Boston Fern -
Nephrolepis exaltata v. Bostoniesis
This easy-to-grow fern thrives in humid environments, so perfect for the bathroom as it requires consistent moisture. However, if placed in other rooms just make sure to mist its leaves once a day. Removes formaldehyde and xylene.
Non-toxic: For children or animals.
6.Chinese Evergreens -
Aglaonema genus
The Chinese Evergreen is one of the most common household plants and for good reason. This plant emits a high oxygen content while purifying indoor spaces of harmful chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, and other toxins. As its name suggests, it is quite popular in China specifically for its high efficiency in removing harmful pollutants from the air.
Toxic: To dogs.
***Please note: Some of the most popular indoor plants known to improve air quality and remove toxins could be poisonous if ingested. If you are a pet owner or have children, please research the toxicity levels of the plants you would like for your home. However, you can still enjoy these amazing plants with the right precautionary measures in place.
Sources//
https://www.treehugger.com/houseplants-for-improving-indoor-air-quality-4869342
http://www.secrets-of-longevity-in-humans.com/oxygen-producing-plants.html
https://lunginstitute.com/blog/top-5-plants-for-increasing-oxygen/
https://www.bhg.com.au/best-air-cleaning-plants
https://www.ted.com/talks/kamal_meattle_how_to_grow_fresh_air