Growing indoor plants is a hobby that is quite popular, and besides making your home a pretty place with living plants, they can have other benefits. Scientists over the years have stated that growing plants indoors is good for your health because it removes toxins and adds clean air to your living space. Plants are also known to reduce stress and help decrease illness in your home. Let’s take a look at some of the studies from the past and see what benefits we discover.
NASA’s Study
Back in the late 1980s, NASA performed a study to research plants’ ability to clean the air in space stations. While doing this, they learned a lot about indoor plants and their ability to remove toxins or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air that we breathe. Some of the removed toxins are as follows.
Benzene
This is a carcinogen, and you can find it in inks, oils, paints, plastics, rubbers, and cleaning solutions. It causes dizziness, headaches, nausea, tremors, weakness, irregular heartbeat, blurred vision, and kidney and liver damage.
Trichloroethylene (TCW)
This carcinogen, which affects the liver, is found in paints, inks, varnishes, adhesives, and lacquers.
Formaldehyde
This carcinogenic substance is found in many items that can be present in your home. This includes particleboard, carpet backing, natural gas, kerosene, tissues, paper towels, wax paper, cigarette smoke, and household cleaning supplies. It causes watery eyes and nausea.
Toluene
Found in disinfectants, rubber, printing ink, leather, and adhesives, low doses can cause weakness, confusion, memory loss, and nausea. Higher doses can lead to more intense symptoms, causing light-headedness and unconsciousness.
NASA Findings
During the testing phase, plants that removed formaldehyde were notably common. Scientists found that flowering plants remove benzene, and most other plants remove at least one toxin from the air by absorbing it through their leaves. The larger the plant is, the more toxins it removes. The results of the study indicated that you should add 15 or more houseplants in a 1,800-square-foot house for optimal air quality improvement.
India’s Study
In 2008, India’s government conducted another study to analyze the effect of specific plants on air quality. The plants involved were Pothos, Areca Palm, and Money Plant. The study took place in a building that was 50,000 square feet, housing 1,200 plants and 300 individuals. The results of the study showed the following:
- 52% less eye irritation
- 34% fewer respiratory issues
- 24% fewer headaches
- 12% less lung issues
- 9% fewer asthma problems
- 20% increase in productivity
Plants Impact on Air Quality
Scientists have found that plants impact the air you breathe. This is especially true if you have multiple thriving plants in an enclosed space, as healthy plants tend to purify the air more effectively.
Improves Air Quality
Several plants improve the quality of the air, which means that indoor air pollutants are less of an issue. For example, the bamboo palm, Chinese evergreen, English ivy, golden pothos, snake plant, peace lily, spider plant, and more are great at improving air quality in your home.
Emits Oxygen
Some plants release a high level of oxygen at night. This makes them ideal for promoting healthy breathing, so having them in your bedroom at night can help you sleep better. Some of the plants that emit oxygen include bromeliads, Christmas cactus, gerbera daisy, snake plants, orchids, and palms.
Removes Toxins
One of the ways that plants improve the quality of the air is by removing toxins and pollutants in your living space. They do not remove toxins already in your body, but they will eliminate anything in the air. Peace lilies, English ivy, pothos, spider plants, aloe vera, snake plants, and more are good for this.
Adds Humidity to the Air
Plants can also add humidity to the air, which is optimal for better breathing in dry heat. They can moisten the nasal cavity and prevent irritation and nosebleeds. Some plants that add moisture to the air are golden pothos, peace lilies, Boston ferns, rubber plants, English ivy, and spider plants.
Downsides of Indoor Plants
Though plants do purify the air, they don’t do so at a high speed. This means that to have a real effect, you need to have more than 10 plants per square inch in your home. There are also some other downsides to taking care of that many plants.
Promotes Mold Growth
Overwatering plants can cause mold to grow in the soil and on the roots. This mold can become airborne in your home, which is not good for anyone who has breathing issues. You can prevent mold growth by ensuring that plants have proper drainage, but if someone in your home has asthma, this will always be a concern.
Dust Issues
Plant leaves are great dust collectors, and once the dust gets on the leaves, some are most likely in the air as well. Dust can aggravate existing breathing issues. You can wipe plant leaves to remove dust.
Allergic Reactions
Plants may remove allergens from the air, but they come with pollen and smells that could be allergens for someone in your home. Flowering plants like African violets, orchids, and mums can make breathing difficult for some.
Pest Introduction
Plants that have been outside have a chance of bringing pests into your home. Aphids, mites, and spiders will produce waste, which can be small enough to get into the air you breathe. This is not something that is bad for the air, but pests in the home are never good. They can also damage the plants in the home. This can make the plants sick, and unhealthy plants will not clean the air as well.
Consider an Air Purifier
When plants work together with an air purifier, you receive the benefits of cleaner air as well as the mood-enhancing advantages of plants. An air purifier can remove up to 99.97% of all airborne particles, including dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold. You can select an air purifier that has a simple carbon filter, or you can utilize other types of filters for cleaner air.
A HEPA filter is best for removing air pollutants and allergens. You can also invest in a UV (ultraviolet light) filter to help kill viruses and bacteria in the air within your living space. This is especially beneficial for elderly individuals whose immune systems may not be as strong.
Whole-House Fans Can Help
A whole-house fan improves the quality of air inside your home by pushing out stale air and drawing in fresh air from outside. It helps decrease humidity, eliminate odors, and reduce indoor air pollutants. By improving ventilation, whole-house fans contribute to a healthier home atmosphere while also lowering the reliance on air conditioning, which can save energy and money.
Contact Aace's Heating, Air Conditioning & Swamp Coolers To Improve Indoor Air Quality
At Aace's Heating, Air Conditioning & Swamp Coolers, we understand the importance of your family’s healthy air in your living space. We know which air purification system will best suit your needs. Since 2007, our team has also provided installation, maintenance, and repairs of heating and cooling systems in Victorville.
Aace's Heating, Air Conditioning & Swamp Coolers is a leading HVAC company in Victorville. Call today to schedule an appointment for all of your indoor air quality, heating and air-conditioning needs.
