How Indoor Plants Can Help Us to Breathe Easier

Use Houseplants as Air Purifiers

Winter time is fast approaching and that means no more open windows- no more fresh air. Will you be one to break out air purifiers and place throughout your home or office? Or will you be one to take a lesson from B.C. Wolverton, author of 'How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 Houseplants That
 Purify Your Home or Office'?

Yes, you read that right, you can grow fresh air. How wonderful is that? And why do more of us not do so?

Air purifiers only trap particles whereas plants can absorb thereby destroying airborne impurities.

Three of his fifty recommended plants are:

Snake plant

This plant is practically indestructible, meaning anyone can grow it, even those with a black thumb. Snake plants remove toxins from rooms with no windows. A great basement or bathroom plant. If you work in a cubicle with limited sunlight, this plant will survive in your work space and help you to breathe better air.

Christmas cactus

The Christmas cactus gives off oxygen at night. Most plants only do so during daylight hours making this a wonderful plant to be in a family room or home office. If you work nights, this is the plant for you.

Rubber plant

This plant can be a dear family member as it works best at removing chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene and ammonia. It is also an amazing humidifier. This plant releases moisture into the air, making it easier to breathe as well as purifies the air, making the air we breathe cleaner.

Ferns

These plants also work at removing the chemicals formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia. Ferns come in a variety. Chose one that will best fit your home and personality.

House plants are cheaper and prettier than air purifiers. Less dust seems to accumulate in a home full of plants.

 
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I should get a few of these plants for the house!

Posted on 06/07/2008 at 8:06:38 AM

I love this idea! We have a dwarf satsuma orange tree in a pot that we bring inside for the winter. It's fun to know that plants cleanse the indoor air, and once the tree starts producing, we'll have fresh, organic fruit as well. We also have an aloe vera plant in our bathroom.

Posted on 12/07/2007 at 6:12:00 PM

Wow, this is a great and informative article. One of the greatest problems in growing house plants on this end is the decided lack of sunlight streaming into this apartment. I'm glad you included plants that thrive with little to no sunlight, as those should definitely work for me. Thanks for that information. :)

Posted on 11/22/2007 at 7:11:00 PM

Great article, I never realized that certain plants took so many things out of the air. Thanks so much for this wonderful info.

Posted on 11/14/2007 at 5:11:00 PM

Really interesting...Great botanical views...

Posted on 11/08/2007 at 11:11:00 AM

Great information. I am great at growing outdoor plants, but I am not so good with the indoor variety. I guess that I will have to give it another try.

Posted on 11/06/2007 at 7:11:00 PM

I've heard of how indoor plants can help people breathe easier. Well done, Lori. Sophie

Posted on 11/06/2007 at 3:11:00 AM

Plants would benefit from the carbon dioxide we emit and turn them into oxygen...clean fresh air!

Posted on 11/05/2007 at 9:11:00 PM

Wonderful info to know when choosing house plants.

Posted on 11/05/2007 at 8:11:00 PM

Great article!

Posted on 11/04/2007 at 12:11:00 PM

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