Deck the halls and improve air quality
December 13, 2018
As the days become shorter and year’s end approaches, many of us spend more time in the office and other indoor environments. Long hours, stressful deadlines and seasonal illness work together to reduce productivity.
What if you could improve indoor air quality, alleviate conditions that help spread colds and flu, all while increasing productivity and general well-being?
You can, simply by adding green plants to your office environment. Research in a variety of disciplines points to the benefits of green plants. Recently, there has been renewed interest in research into how beneficial indoor plants are for improved air quality.
Nearly three decades ago, researchers at NASA designed an experiment to determine if plants could reduce levels benzene, trichlorethylene and formaldehyde in the air. In 2016, a researcher at SUNY- Oswego, Dr. Vadoud Niri, performed a similar experiment with a different list of harmful chemicals in our indoor air. Both of these experiments confirmed that green plants have the capability of removing significant levels of harmful chemicals from our air.
Here is a list of low maintenance, attractive plants that passed the test in reducing harmful chemicals we breathe:
The scarlet star tops the list if you want to add both color and cleaner air to your environment. This striking bromeliad, with glossy green leaves and bright red bracts (modified leaves, not flowers), is fairly low maintenance and well suited to thrive indoors. Most important, though, is it’s efficiency in removing a list of noxious chemicals, including some of the most dangerous ones we breath, from indoor air.
Dracaena (Warneckei) thrives indoors and is one of the most effective air purifying plants. This plant, included in both the NASA study and Dr. Niri’s 2016 experiments, significantly reduces levels of formaldehyde, benzene and acetone in the air. And, it helps replenish moisture, too. This is a benefit in dry environments. Dracaena Warnekei is easy to grow and it’s variegated bright green and white leaves add visual appeal to any interior space.
The spider plant is extremely easy to care for and an excellent choice for removing harmful chemicals from the air. This hardy plant is suited to the work environment because it is very low maintenance and capable of surviving bouts of accidental neglect. It’s extremely versatile and easy to propagate, too. Spider plants are frequently used in hanging basket and other types of containers.
Ever wonder why the peace lily is such a popular indoor plant? In addition to ease of care and striking beauty, it helps reduce five dangerous pollutants from indoor air. Peace lilies are a tropical plant that thrives inside, out of direct sunlight but with adequate watering and occasional dividing as plants outgrow their containers.
In addition to removing harmful pollutants, increasing oxygen levels, and adding needed humidity to dry air, plants also have a positive impact on mood, focus and productivity. What more could you ask for?
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