I have good news and bad news.  First, the bad news.  Apparently, there are studies showing that Americans spend, on average, 90% of their time indoors.  I regard this as a shame because the outdoors offers us so much–direct contact with the sights, sounds, and smells of nature, and, for the most part, fresher air than we find indoors.

     Now for the good news.  We can create fresher air in our indoor environment by choosing the right plants for our home and office.  Certain plants, many of which are relatively easy to grow, act as excellent filters, helping to remove common pollutants from our indoor air.    

     Hundreds of poisonous chemicals can be released into our home and office from furniture, carpets, and building material.  Ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and many other airborne toxins are often trapped inside, thanks to closed ventilation systems.  Allergic reactions and respiratory problems are an all-too-frequent result. 

     But how do you know which plants will make your indoor air cleaner?  The book  How to Grow Fresh Air makes it easy.  Shared with me by my friend Jeanne, this practical, yet beautiful book lists 50 plants that are champs when it comes to cleaning indoor air.  The plants that made it into the book are also relatively easy to care for.  And author B. C. Wolverton includes basic instructions for growing and maintaining each plant.       

     In addition to freshening the air in which you spend much of your time, deploying the ‘right’ plants in your home or office will also add beauty to your surroundings, making the space a more pleasant place to be.

     Here are some details about just a few of the plants described in Wolverton’s book: 

Boston fern:  This is one of the best plants for removing air pollutants, especially formaldehyde.  The Boston fern has a high transpiration rate, which means that as the plant rapidly takes up water from the soil, the roots are also pulling the (toxin-laden) air in.  Microbes in the soil break down these gases into food and energy for the plant.  Ferns love to be misted and should be fed weekly with a weak liquid fertilizer. 

Bamboo palm:  Like many other palms, the bamboo palm is an excellent choice for cleaning indoor air.  With its clusters of small, slender canes and its graceful fans, the bamboo palm is great for removing many toxins.  The bamboo palm also pumps moisture into the air, a big plus during dry winter months.  The plant needs plenty of water during periods of active growth, and it is quite resistant to insect infestation.

Red emerald philodendron:  A vining plant, the red emerald is one of the best in the philodendron family for removing chemical vapors.  And like all philodendrons, it is easy to grow and maintain.  This hybrid with striking burgundy-red leaves should be misted often.

                            

 

           

    

 

This entry was posted on Friday, February 27th, 2009 at 11:00 am and is filed under Act now to save our beloved Earth!. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.