When I moved to a small apartment facing a busy street I began to instinctively buy houseplants. Now, several years later, some people would say I live in a jungle but I counter with the joke that these plants have purpose: they clean my air and give me a healthier life. Well, it turns out there's a growing branch of research substantiating my assertion! NASA studies in particular find that many varietals of houseplants reduce indoor toxins and dust. Do you have enough plants in your house to combat the chemicals modern interiors exude?
Spider plants are champions at reducing the effects of car exhaust. Other star air purifiers are: peace lillies, ficus family plants such as weeping figs, draceanas, and palms. Not sure what these plants look like? In general all large leafed plants, because of their fast transpiration rates, are also good at cleaning your air. How many plants do you need to ensure health benefits? Here are NASA's suggestions taken from an article on the subject at Al's Garden Center:
- 1 - 8” or 10” sized houseplant per every 100 square feet
- 1 - Small 4” or 6” sized houseplant in your personal breathing zone (6-8 cu. ft.), for example: placed on your desk or night stand.
- 15 - 20 houseplants for 1500 sq. feet
Wikipedia also has a good table listing all NASA research and other studies in this field. So if you've recently bought new furniture, moved into a new home or apartment, or found yourself living alongside a busy street consider an investment in houseplants. My plants offer me more than clean air. They're lovely to look at and they encourage a regular schedule of watering which gives me routine and encourages me to care for myself as well as the plants. I think I'm happier and more balanced with a room full of plants and new studies are beginning to substantiate that claim too... but more on that later!
Update Jan 2014: Looks like deskplants improve work satisfaction and enhance focus according to recent studies.
Update November 2015: 5 reasons plants are a good indoor health resource from Tree Hugger.
