Introduction
Plants are great for improving air quality, especially if planted indoors or used as indoor plants. The best way to get this done is by choosing a species that can grow well indoors and planting it in your home. You can keep many plants inside, so choosing one that will grow well and give you the benefits you want is important.
How can Plants Improve Air Quality?
Your health can benefit from plants, regardless of their roots. The air we breathe can be healthier and better by bringing plants indoors. In addition, they offer functional and aesthetically pleasing advantages when designing an indoor landscape.
Through the act of photosynthesis, plants purify the air. Plants breathe out carbon dioxide and take in oxygen, the reverse of what people do. They produce sugar by absorbing light, carbon dioxide, and water. As a consequence of this chemical reaction, oxygen is produced.
No matter how advanced an air filtering system in a house or workplace could be, none can produce oxygen. Yet, an essential component of clean, wholesome air is oxygen. Our exposure to it may be improved by using indoor plants.
Here are some plants that can clean up the air indoors for you:
- Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
Aloe vera is a succulent, perennial plant that can filter volatile solvents like benzene and formaldehyde. As a result, Aloe vera is a crucial component of cosmetic products. In addition, it is a miracle gel for the skin because of its antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Aloe gel works even on oily skin without making it look greasy and naturally hydrates and nourishes the skin. It is relatively easy to grow and needs a lot of sunlight.
- Spider Plant (Chlorohytum comosum)
One of the top indoor plants for removing formaldehyde from the air, according to NASA, is the spider plant. Additionally, it fights xylene, carbon monoxide, and benzene. You can neglect this plant, but its resilience will keep it alive.
- Gerber Daisies (Gerbera jamesonii)
Gerber Daisies are beautiful flowers that bloom in many bright colors. They are not only attractive but also excellent at benzene and carbon monoxide absorption. This plant is a lovely addition to any bedroom because it emits oxygen at night.
- Snake Plants (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’)
This plant, also referred to as mother-in-tongue, is one of the finest at removing formaldehyde. Additionally, it aids in the removal of nitrogen dioxide. It absorbs carbon dioxide and exhales oxygen even at night. It only requires a little water and sunlight and is simple to maintain.
- Golden Pothos (Scindapsus aureus)
This vine, which spreads quickly, is effective at removing formaldehyde. It is relatively simple to maintain and grow in light except for sunlight. But, if consumed, it is poisonous. So if you have children, this one is not for you.
- Chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium)
The vibrant, colorful flowers do much more than make the area cheerful. It is a seasonal flower that is very effective at scavenging benzene for six weeks when it is in bloom. However, it requires a lot of sunlight to bloom, so you should put it somewhere that gets plenty of light.
- Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
This plant’s red-edged leaves absorb formaldehyde, xylene, and trichloroethylene. As a result, it adds color to the landscape and grows slowly. However, if pets eat it, it is poisonous.
- Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea Sefritzii)
This plant is excellent for people who live in areas with dry air. Not only does it help get rid of carbon monoxide, xylene, and benzene, but it also grows well in indoor spaces with a lot of shade. Plus, it often produces small flowers and berries.
- Weeping fig (Ficus Benjamina)
This plant helps fight off benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene, but it can be a little high-maintenance. It needs a lot of attention when it comes to water and sunlight.
- Warneck dracaena (Dracaena Deremensis ‘Warneckii’)
This plant has a height limit of roughly ten feet. It creates a highly eye-catching indoor plant. As well as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene, it aids in their removal. It grows well in a room-temperature environment and doesn’t require a lot of light.
- Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata)
The Boston Fern acts as a natural air filter, adding atmospheric moisture. Also, people with dry skin, itchy noses, or throats can benefit from the plant’s moisturizing properties.
Air Quality: How Plants Affect it
It is no secret that air quality is vital to humans and other animals. Air quality refers to the standard of the air in a specific location. It can be made better by making sure there is enough airflow, cleaning up factory pollution, and controlling air traffic. In addition, some plants release pollutants into the air, affecting air quality.
- Substances that contain dirt, mold, pollen, or other allergens comprise the biological contaminants mentioned here.
- Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are the substances that are revealed.
- The indoor factors that adversely affect the health of one’s self are air pollution.
- Formaldehyde comes from carpeting and particle boards.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) can be found in certain solvents and chemicals in perfume, hair sprays, air fresheners, and furniture polish.
The Benefits of Indoor Plants Gardening
Indoor gardening can be an excellent way to unwind as well as a great way to get your daily requirements of vitamins and minerals. In addition, you are less stressed when gardens are in full bloom, and you can also grow vegetables or flowers without worrying about pests or diseases.
According to the World Health Organization, pollution causes the deaths of 7 million people each year. And even though we believe our four walls will shield us from the pollution outside, research has revealed that harmful toxins may also be found indoors.
Researchers have found that some indoor plants can help clean the air by acting as natural filters. According to research on the benefits of indoor plants done by NASA, more than 50 houseplants have been found to remove toxins and gases.
Additionally, plants have been proven to reduce stress at home and work. As if that weren’t enough, they also tout the following additional health advantages:
1. They help you sleep better
2. They help fight colds
3. They help you focus
4. They help improve your wellbeing
Proper Planting and Care for Plants: How do you do it?
Proper planting and care for plants can result in healthier plants, more vigorous growth, and giant plants.
Here are a few suggestions to help get started:
- Don’t over-water your plants
The most typical error made by newcomers is this one. Some plants, like succulents, only require monthly watering. Creeping fig and parlor palm prefers parched soil. Reduce your hydration during the chilly winter months to avoid drowning.
To encourage development, water the base of the plant rather than the leaves. Check the water’s temperature to ensure it’s not too cold or hot. The shock of cold water can harm the roots. Parenting plants can be challenging, so keep an eye on them often.
- Cut the dead stuff
The Flower Shop Network advises trimming dead ends to maintain leaf growth. Even therapeutic pruning can be done with hands, shears, or scissors. Spray plants with water and clean them with a dry cloth regularly since dust on discarded leaves prevents sunlight from reaching plants.
- Use the good dirt
Common dirt may include parasites, fungi, or seeds for weeds. The potting soil at the garden center near you is a mix of different things, like peat moss and organic matter. Make sure the soil is moist enough for the roots to grow when you pot your plants.
- The plant chooses the pot
If you pick the right size and type of container, your plant will grow perfectly. However, plants’ “growth will be stunted, roots will become pot-bound, and the soil will dry out soon” in too-tiny pots. When a plant’s drainage hole fills with roots or the top of the plant is overflowing, it’s time to pull it out.
But you can grow your baby dracaena in a teapot as long as there is enough drainage to keep the roots from getting wet. Afterward, you can choose a pot and drill or poke holes. Another choice is to place substantial rocks at the bottom of the pot to improve the flow of water through the filter.
- Change is bad
Plants react strongly to change. They take a while to acclimate to new situations, so if they’re doing well, don’t alter the lighting or plant height. Remember to place a huge tree baby where it will fit until it grows large if you intend to cultivate one.
- Let there be (not too much) light!
Plants require light. It’s an uncomplicated but factual statement. But the reality is a little more nuanced than that. Even though plants need light to get the energy they need to grow and bloom, the need for light goes beyond a simple yes or no. Too much light will harm your plant just as much as not enough will.
Additionally, “too much light” has several names. For example, a plant may receive too much light if exposed to it for an extended period. For some plants, prolonged exposure to sunlight can be harmful and even stunt their growth. Plants need light and dark times to balance their metabolism and blooming phases. Some plants need less darkness than others, but too much light will eventually mess up the growth schedule of any plant.
- Get the right plant
Whatever your stance on the “green sides,” your plants may not be doing well. So although you might need natural environmental sensibilities, the tropical plant might be a better fit.
Talk to a local gardening shop about a plant that will do well in your area and with the way you live. If you need help remembering to water your plant, look at cacti and snake plants that may benefit even if you neglect them.
- Do not use cold or hot water
68 F, or 20 C, is the ideal temperature for the water you use to water your plants. Water that is average in temperature is suitable for plants. On the other hand, too much hot water can damage your indoor plant’s roots and even kill them.
If the water is too cold, your plant might hibernate, which would slow down its growth.
- Fill your pot with fertilizer
After picking out the best potting soil, nearly all the houseplants thrive under 10-10-10 fertilization. After collating potting soil and fertilizers, all potted plants get the necessary nutrients. At first, you need to buy a brand-new pot and add more fertilizer to the soil, or it will die without the much-needed nutrients.
First is nitrogen, followed by phosphorus, and then potassium. It’s simple to remember as N-P-K. A high potassium content fertilizer is necessary for flowering plants. At the same time, a foliage plant needs nitrogen-rich fertilizer or potting soil.
Cacti and succulents can withstand harsh, desert-like conditions. However, they require a unique potting mixture designed to drain water efficiently.
- Make Sure Pots Have Drainage Holes
The roots of your plant and the soil need a way for water to drain. Proper drainage causes the roots of your plant to be able to obtain oxygen rather than remaining in stagnant water and suffocating.
The best choice is a pot with numerous holes on the bottom. These prevent the soil from holding onto too much moisture, which can kill plants. Mulch your plants in the early morning or before high winds to keep them cool and healthy.
- Look Out For Bugs
Insects and illnesses can hamper the growth of plants. Aphids are the most common bugs you’ll find sneaking around and scurrying to your valuable plants to eat them. Use a natural remedy of neem oil and soap water to treat your plants if necessary. Spray this magical concoction on your plants to free them from pests and diseases.
Conclusion
In conclusion, plants are great for improving air quality, especially if planted indoors. The best way to get this done is by choosing a species that can grow well indoors and installing it in your home.
