The Importance Of Clean Oxygen and How House Plants Can Help
The air we breathe is one of the most important components to a healthy and balanced lifestyle. The market today is flooded with options on improving health ranging from plants and herbs to acupuncture and alternative medicine. The air we breathe plays a large role in the health of our lungs and overall homeostasis. Oxygen is vital for the survival of all of our organs, including the brain, liver, kidneys and heart. As a result of a lack of clean oxygen, each individual cell suffers a loss of energy and sickness.
House plants are an amazing solution for those seeking to clean and purify the air they breathe. House plants have the ability to clean and purify air while providing aesthetic benefits.
Benefits of House Plants
There are many benefits of house plants. One of the main benefits of house plants is their ability to reduce carbon dioxide levels. When carbon dioxide levels are too high, the risk for hypercapnia is greater. House plants are able to reduce the levels of carbon dioxide in the air, resulting in cleaner oxygen.
Another benefit of house plants is their ability to increase humidity. When a room becomes dry and looses moisture, nasal passageways and throat passageways become dry and stiff. It becomes uncomfortable to breathe in a room without any humidity. House plants infuse the air with humidity as a result of their moist leaves and stems.
House plants also have the ability to reduce levels of common pollutants such as benzene and nitrogen dioxide and other harmful toxic fumes that outgas from every day household things like:
- Furniture items as sofas, blinds or curtains, beds and pillows
- Household window, floor and counter cleaning products
- Scented candles and air fresheners that utilize a non-organic scent
- Cleaning products like dishwashing and clothes laundering soaps
The plants go through a process known as photosynthesis. This allows plants to help turn carbon dioxide into fresh oxygen that is pure and free of toxins in the air.
How to Choose the Best House Plant
There are a number of beneficial house plants. Each plant is different, and their use widely varies depending on what they are needed for. Some house plants are better at cleaning the air, while others are better at providing humidity. Depending upon what they are intended for will determine which one is best to grow and maintain.
Sword Fern
Sword fern is a plant native to tropical regions. Sword fern has been found in places such as South America, Central America, Florida, Polynesia, Africa and the West Indies. Grown in hot and tropical climates, sword fern has adapted to warmer temperatures, making it an ideal indoor plant. Sword fern is a hardy plant, with the option to grow indoors as well as outdoors. Sword fern has been a common indoor plant since the Victorian era.
Peace Lily
The peace lily is a very popular plant for its diverse uses. Peace lily has the ability to neutralize and break down toxic gases such as formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and benzene. When these toxins are left in the air, they can potentially lead to difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue. The peace lily effectively removes these toxins from the air while providing moisture and humidity. The peace lily has had many uses over the years aside from air purification. The peace lily is part of the Araceae family of plants. It is native to the tropical areas of Central America and Asia. During a recent study with NASA’s analysis team, they discovered that the peace lily was the most effective at removing volatile airborne toxins and compounds.
Spider Plant
Named after its striking aesthetic, the spider plants is native to the tropical areas of southern Africa. It has also been found in Australia. The spider plant is one of the easiest plants to grow indoors. The spider plant requires very low maintenance in order to grow and purify the air. As a result of the plant’s durability, it is one of the most common indoor plants for offices and homes. The plant will survive in low temperatures such as 35°F. However, the plant thrives in climates between 65°F and 90°F. Spider plants are excellent at removing formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and toxin.
How Many Indoor Plants Should You Have?
The number of indoor plants varies depending upon how large the space is and the existing air quality. For example, in a 1,800 square foot house, one plant per 100 square feet of space is adequate. This will effectively purify the air and create a balance of air quality with the added benefit of humidity for easier breathing.
If one’s home has many airborne toxins and volatile invisible compounds lingering in the air, they may need more plants to balance the air quality. If a home is situated on a busy city street that is prone to pollution and toxic air buildup, more plants may be necessary to detoxify your surrounding oxygen levels.
The Best Plants for Low Light and Dim Light
When growing an indoor plant, sunlight exposure tends to be infrequent and weaker than natural outdoor light. The smartest solution for low lit areas is to choose a plant that is adapted and tolerant of dim lighting. For example, the peace lily is very tolerant of dim lighting and will continue to grow despite a lack of natural sunlight. It is important to place the plant somewhere with enough lighting, and preferably in a place that receives some natural sunlight on a daily basis. This will ensue rapid growth. The plant will be better able to break down compounds and detoxify the air for easy and safe breathing.
Conclusion on Purifying and Detoxifying Your Home
There is no doubt about the importance of clean air for a healthy and energized body. Plants are a natural alternative to purify the air. They create a healthy and harmonized balance between microorganisms and air stability. The plants infuse the air with a pleasant scent while giving off beneficial microbes and neutralizing odors and harmful compounds. From aesthetically pleasing to clear and clean air quality, house plants offer endless benefits. Detoxifying doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive. House plants are excellent at maintaining the health and balance of your home.
Sources:
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/boston-fern-improve-air-quality-98663.html
https://www.almanac.com/blog/gardening-blog/clean-house-tropical-plants
https://www.proflowers.com/blog/peace-lily-care