Green up your home
Research from NASA suggests plants remove toxins from air-up to 87% of (VOCs) Volatile organic compounds every 24 hours. VOCs include substances like formaldehyde which are present in rugs, vinyl, cigarette smoke and grocery bags), benzene and trichloroethylene (both found in man-made fibres, inks, solvents and paint). NASA research observed that plants purify the air that is contaminated by VOCs. Plants do this by pulling contaminants into soil, where root zone microorganisms convert VOCs into food for the plant. As well as being great for improving air quality, plants are also great for physical and mental health as they can reduce stress and boost productivity – great for those working from home.
Market research even suggests that something as simple as filling your home with house plants or fresh flowers can make your house more appealing to prospective buyers
Below provides some detail on some good plants to green up your home with,
Chlorophytum (Spider Plant) The well-known Spider Plant is a champion cleanser of air. The NASA tests showed it to remove around 90% of the potentially cancer-causing chemical formaldehyde from the air.
Dracaena (Dragon Tree) This plant is good at removing xylene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde.
Sansevieria (Snake Plant) (the mother-in-law’s tongue) This plant is easy to care for and great at filtering out formaldehyde, commonly found in cleaning products, hygiene, and personal care products.
Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) is another easy to care for plant. This plant helps to filter out harmful benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde toxins. The moisture given off by these striking flowers can boost a room’s humidity by up to 5%. This way, you can say goodbye to those irritating dry noses and sleep peacefully.
Aloe What’s great about this plant is that it emits oxygen at night-time whilst simultaneously taking in carbon dioxide – something we naturally produce when breathing. All this leads to a purer quality of air and a better night’s sleep.
Other great house plants include,
English Ivy, Removes benzene from the air.
Boston ferns, look great in a hanging basket and are ranked as one of NASA’s top 10 air purifying plants.
Philodendron, Purifies air; by removing formaldehyde.
