HOUSEPLANTS, OUR BUDDIES

As it turns out, houseplants are more than just pretty objects that add a touch of nature to our homes. They are actually good for us, both physically and mentally. Living organisms themselves, they have all the other qualities of other living things except they cannot walk. Other than that, they need nourishment and respond to stimuli just like we do.

They can also be our best buddies and are actually good for our health, especially when we are cooped up in the house during winter or summers when it is too hot. They produce oxygen which we need and we produce carbon dioxide which they need. It’s a win/win.

Most of them even follow our nighttime cycle, when photosynthesis ceases at night. They become like us and give off carbon dioxide and use oxygen. A select few like succulants, orchids and some bromeliads do produce oxygen even after the sun goes down, which make them great plants for bedrooms.

Houseplants are good for us in other ways too. Being oxygen-givers is the biggest benefit of having them. However, they also release moisture vapor which increase humidity. Plants release 97% of the water they take in thus, when several plants are present in a room, they do a great job of helping to keep respiratory distress at bay.

This is a big factor for helping to prevent scratchy, irritated throats and nasal passages. They can also make a difference when it comes to dry, scaly winter skin. Perhaps I should get a few more plants and run my humidifier less.

One of the other important jobs they perform is to purify the air. According to NASA, plants remove up to 87% of volatile organic compounds in the air every 24 hours. These compounds include cigarette smoke, formaldehyde, benzene and other chemicals that are found in common household products. Many of our cleaning products sadly include these chemicals.

This is the reason that companies like Norwex, which promotes “green cleaning” are becoming so popular. Norwex uses a high quality microfiber cloth with small strands of silver embedded in each cloth  to help kill bacteria. The cloths need only be combined with water to clean and then hung to dry. In this way, no chemicals are used which get into the environment.

Sadly, toxins are not only in cleaning products. They are found in carpet, vinyl, grocery bags and other items that are in our homes daily. Even new homes and re-modeled homes are more prone to some of these toxins because of the materials in the building and because they are designed so air tight that they don’t “breathe” like older homes, trapping toxins in the air. Houseplants come to the rescue here.

Kansas State University is only one institution that has documented how plants can actually improve certain characteristics of health. Facts prove that plants speed recovery rates of surgery patients. When plants are present in the room, there is lower heart rates, lower blood pressure and less fatigue.

The Agricultural University of Norway released the results of a study done in offices where plants were present. Sickness fell by 60% with workers reporting less colds, headaches, coughs, sore throats and flu. This translates into less time lost at work, a plus for employers and employees alike.

 

So, with all of this said, how many plants do you need in your home to make a difference? After all, it defeats the purpose if there is no room left for you to live after inviting plants to share your space. The rule of thumb is about one plant for every 100 square feet of living space. Although this may sound like a lot, remember succulents are good co-inhabitants for us and they don’t take up much space.

But, what about us folks who do great with gardens and all plants outside but inside we are not their best caregivers. I know, hard as I try, mine do seem to suffer. Well, not to worry, there are five top houseplants that are recommended for their health benefits and they are relatively easy to take care of…translated that means harder to kill!

ALOE VERA  You just can’t lose when you have this one take up residence with you. First of all, it is a great air purifier. It takes care of formaldehyde, benzene and all those other nasty chemicals in the cleaning products.

Aloe vera is a doubly good choice for a houseplant because it has healing benefits of its own. The gel inside its leaves is full of vitamins and it is a natural antibacterial. It can be used to treat minor cuts and burns and it may help dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

It likes a sunny spot like a kitchen windowsill where it can soak up light and also be readily available when you need it. Water it deeply but infrequently, usually every three weeks, but more sparingly in the winter.

SNAKE PLANT OR MOTHER-IN-LAW’S TONGUE  This one is an excellent choice for improving air quality. NASA swears by it for removing harmful toxins that build up in the home. On top of that, this is one that also produces oxygen at night as well as during the day.

Aloe vera also comes with an easy care ticket. It prefers plenty of bright light but it can endure low amounts of light for longer durations. Do not over water, its roots rot if the soil is moist for long periods.

SPIDER PLANT  A great choice for those that are new to houseplants. It battles environmental toxins including carbon monoxide and xylene. It is also a plant that is non-toxic to animals which makes it pet-friendly.

It is very resilient and undemanding. It likes bright light but not direct sun. It thrives in humid conditions so a bathroom would be perfect for it. Keep the soil moist but not soggy and be mindful, it is sensitive to fluoride.

BOSTON FERN  These masses of lush green foliage are some of the best air purifying houseplants. This evergreen plant gets rid of home toxins, improves humidity by helping to restore moisture to air naturally. That makes it a real health benefit to those who suffer from dry skin or irritably, dry noses and throats.

It only asks for a cool location out of direct light and needs to stay relatively moist.

PEACE LILY  These combat harmful household toxins like benzene, which is a known carcinogen. It also removes mold spores from the air. For the most benefits, make its home in the bathroom, kitchen or laundry room.

It prefers a shady spot and its soil to be moist without over watering.

Plants make great companions and they do so much for us. Besides all of these health benefits, they make us feel connected to nature, especially when we can’t get out. Science has proven that they respond to music, voices and touch, much in the same way that people do.

This just goes to show that we can be as good for them as they are for us. Houseplants and humans…a win/win combination all the way around.