mysignsoflife

Let’s face it, we need all the help we can get in keeping our family healthy, especially during the winter months, when we tend to stay indoors more.  In doing so, the air in our homes can become less than desirable…  Something I never really thought about until I started researching how to take care of some of my houseplants.  I’ve always heard that houseplants help clean the air, but which one are the best and do the most good?  Here is what I found out:

Our houseplants are not only decorative, but NASA scientists say they are very useful in absorbing harmful gases and actually clean the air inside buildings.  So useful that NASA will launch certain species of plants into space as part of the biological life support system aboard future orbiting space stations.  Pretty interesting huh! 

A study was done where plants were placed in sealed, plexiglas chambers in which chemicals were injected. These three were found to be the most effective in removing formaldehyde molecules: 

Philodendron

Spider Plant 

Golden Pothos 

Found to be the best in removing benzene from the air were:

Gerbera Daisy  

Chrysanthemums

Rated well also were the

Cane or Corn Plant 

and the Peace Lily.

NASA says that plants take substances out of the air through the tiny openings in their leaves, but it’s not just the leaves, the roots and soil bacteria are all important in removing trace levels of toxic vapors.  Using plants in your home or office will improve the quality of the air and make life more pleasant, where we all will feel better, perform better and enjoy life more.  So go out and get yourself some plants! 

Here are some wonderful suggestions all rated in the top ten for cleaning the air:  

Warneckii

Sansevieria

Mother-in-law’s Tongue

Marginata

Janet Craig

English Ivy

Chinese Evergreen

Bamboo Palm 

So now you have a house full of plants and you’re planning a trip out of town.  If you don’t have someone to come over and water your plants, here’s a really neat idea:  

Barbara Pleasant, author of The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual (Storey Books, $25) says to thoroughly water the plants, then sit them in the sink or tub with a towel underneath them, fill the sink or tub with with about two inches of water.  The plants will soak up the water and be perky and happy when you return.  This method works well for trips up to one week.  If you are planning on being away longer, you’ll have to call a relative or neighbor to help you out.  What a great idea!

Check back next Tuesday for another 

“Cool Find of the Week”

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