Natural Air Purification
In today's world, it seems we are all on an endless search for quality of life. We spend countless hours trying to direct our lives on a path that allows us to be productive members of society while still supporting our need for sanctity and sanity.
The urban growth is at an all-time high and with more people filling more spaces, there is less and less space for nature and plant life. It is our instinct to enjoy our surroundings and delve into the oasis that we know as nature. So we, as a species, are looking for new ways to create these spaces in our urban living areas.
Bringing the outside, inside, seems to be a growing trend as our housing lots grow smaller and the structures we build on those lots become larger. The average American home size has increased by more than 60 percent since the early 1970s. In 2018 the average home contained 2,641 sq. ft. That is 1000 sq. ft. larger than in 1973. However, the average size of a housing lot is shrinking, coming in at just under 1/5 of an acre of land in 2016. So, it is only logical that we are reaching out to bring nature in.
There are many plants that help to improve the air quality within our homes by filtering out some of the harmful things such as formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and benzoin. However, a lot of these same plants that clean our air are toxic to pets and children if ingested. Be sure to find out about toxicity before you decide which plants are right for you.
This easy to care for plant is very low maintenance and is one of the best plants for air purification in your home or office. Let the soil dry between watering. During the winter you will want to cut the water back to about once per month. Snake plants can be rapid growers and may need to be divided annually. This should be done in the spring.We have one in our office that is about 30 years old and it has thrived on neglect.
English Ivy
This ivy has been a favorite among homeowners for generations but its popularity is being reduced because of its need for water and light. People are passing up the ivy for things that need a bit less care and attention. But let us not forget that this is still one of the best options for cleaning the air around you. This ivy needs water often and a monthly application of 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer to optimize its beauty. Mist your ivy once daily to reduce the chances of spider mites. If you do notice spider mites you can treat your ivy with insecticidal soap.
Spider Plant
These do well in hanging baskets or on plant stands where the "baby" plants can grow and hang over freely. These are rock-stars when it comes to removing carbon-monoxide from the air and you can re-pot the "babies" to start a whole family of these oxygen cleaning dynamos. They are happiest in a bright sunny window and prefer to have their soil to dry just a bit between watering. Do not let your spider plant stay too soggy as it will surrender to root rot. Also be sure to water thoroughly when you water, letting the water drain out of the pot and then pour it off. This keeps the tips from turning brown. I like to put it in a sink to water, so the water runs through and out. Then move it back to its place.
Aloe Vera
Known to cleanse the air of formaldehyde and benzene, they also have healing power in their leaves. Pick off a leaf and squeeze out the gelatinous substance inside to soothe a burn or sunburn. They do require bright indirect or artificial light. You only need to water your aloe about once every 2 weeks as they are a succulent and do not require a lot of attention, making them a favorite among homeowners.
Chinese Evergreen
This tropical is fond of low light and humid conditions. That makes them perfect for most bathrooms. They are known to clear the air of formaldehyde and benzene, found in a lot of makeup and detergents, making the bathroom an even more perfect location. Your Chinese evergreen will begin to yellow if it receives too much water or not enough water so it may be necessary to pull the plant from the pot to check the root ball to determine which it is. The darker the leaf, the more tolerant the plant is of low light. The light variegated one pictured would need bright indirect light or a north facing window.
Snake Plant
This easy to care for plant is very low maintenance and is one of the best plants for air purification in your home or office. Let the soil dry between watering. During the winter you will want to cut the water back to about once per month. Snake plants can be rapid growers and may need to be divided annually. This should be done in the spring.We have one in our office that is about 30 years old and it has thrived on neglect.
English Ivy
This ivy has been a favorite among homeowners for generations but its popularity is being reduced because of its need for water and light. People are passing up the ivy for things that need a bit less care and attention. But let us not forget that this is still one of the best options for cleaning the air around you. This ivy needs water often and a monthly application of 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer to optimize its beauty. Mist your ivy once daily to reduce the chances of spider mites. If you do notice spider mites you can treat your ivy with insecticidal soap.
These do well in hanging baskets or on plant stands where the "baby" plants can grow and hang over freely. These are rock-stars when it comes to removing carbon-monoxide from the air and you can re-pot the "babies" to start a whole family of these oxygen cleaning dynamos. They are happiest in a bright sunny window and prefer to have their soil to dry just a bit between watering. Do not let your spider plant stay too soggy as it will surrender to root rot. Also be sure to water thoroughly when you water, letting the water drain out of the pot and then pour it off. This keeps the tips from turning brown. I like to put it in a sink to water, so the water runs through and out. Then move it back to its place.
Aloe Vera
Known to cleanse the air of formaldehyde and benzene, they also have healing power in their leaves. Pick off a leaf and squeeze out the gelatinous substance inside to soothe a burn or sunburn. They do require bright indirect or artificial light. You only need to water your aloe about once every 2 weeks as they are a succulent and do not require a lot of attention, making them a favorite among homeowners.
This tropical is fond of low light and humid conditions. That makes them perfect for most bathrooms. They are known to clear the air of formaldehyde and benzene, found in a lot of makeup and detergents, making the bathroom an even more perfect location. Your Chinese evergreen will begin to yellow if it receives too much water or not enough water so it may be necessary to pull the plant from the pot to check the root ball to determine which it is. The darker the leaf, the more tolerant the plant is of low light. The light variegated one pictured would need bright indirect light or a north facing window.
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