PLANTS ARE GOOD FOR YOU
With Winter upon us, many of us gardeners have shifted out attention to our indoor plants. And while there is no question that houseplants add great beauty and comfort to our homes and offices, multiple studies have also proven that indoor plants offer multiple psychological and physical health benefits! Here are a handful of the top ways in which plants improve our health;
- Improving your mood and focus
- Reducing fatigue
- Lowering stress and anxiety
- Boosting healing and pain tolerance
- Easing dry skin and respiratory ailments due to dry air
- Minimizing the occurrence of headaches by improving air quality
PURIFY THE AIR
One of the most amazing way in which they improve air quality, is by absorbing toxic substances such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene, found in man-made materials that are known to “off-gas” pollutants into the air in your home, school, and office. In addition, a study done at Virginia Tech, led researchers to conclude that houseplants can reduce indoor dust by up to 20%! They also increase oxygen levels in the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen during photosynthesis.
NASA has done extensive studies of the role of houseplants in cleansing the air, and recommends 15-18 houseplants for a 1,800 square-foot house. And while that might seem like a lot of plants for some of us, even if you have a few, the numerous benefits of indoor plants are huge!
Here is the list of top indoor plants that NASA determined cleaned the air most efficiently;
- Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis)
- Bamboo or reed palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)
- Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
- Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans `Massangeana’)
- English ivy (Hedera helix)
- Elephant ear philodendron (Philodendron domesticum)
- Golden pothos (Epipiremnum aureum)
- Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron scandens `oxycardium’)
- Lacy tree philodendron (Philodendron selloum)
- Peace lily (Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa’)
- Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
- Snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)
- Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
