THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS
RUBBER TREE Rubber trees are good for cleaning the air and are one of the easiest plants to grow, as they thrive even in dim lighting and cooler climates. The low-maintenance plant is a robust toxin eliminator and air purifier.
GO GREEN TO DE-STRESS YOUR HOME AND DETOX THE AIR
SPIDER PLANT
Jan Somma-Hammel somma@siadvance.com
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are sometimes also called airplane plants. Spider plants produce arching clumps of grasslike leaves. Spider plants also have tiny white flowers on long arching stems. Spider plants are one of the most adaptable and easy to grow houseplants. Spider plants also have been shown to reduce indoor air pollution.
The rule of thumb when adding plants to your home for purifying the air:
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SCHEFFLERA Schefflera are not difficult plants to grow, they need plenty of indirect light, warmth, and humidity. Leggy Schefflera can be pruned to encourage a more full plant. If the plant is underwatered or in a cold location, Schefflera will begin to drop leaves quickly, so take leafdrop seriously and move the plant to correct the problem. If you lose all the leaves, but you want to save the plant, move it outside in the spring, give it lots of water, and the leaves should return.
The more, the better. Each plant releases loads of fresh oxygen and cleans toxins and harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) out of the air, just how nature intended. Some well-placed greenery can brighten a space and lift spirits and create a more relaxing, restful atmosphere in any room. We know that spending time in the great outdoors is linked to reduced stress levels and CROTON
tension relief. “It will also give you your gardening fix,” says Amey Schweizer, of Conrad Schweizer Nurseries in Dongan Hills, near Staten Island, New York. She reminded us to consult your doctors and veterinarians if you have children or pets, in case there are any allergies that need to be taken into account. So, how do houseplants purify the air? Plants absorb some of the particulates from the air. At the same time, they take in carbon dioxide, which is then processed into oxygen through photosynthesis.
The best advice from Schweizer on how much to water your plants was to, “stick your finger in the soil and if it’s wet, leave it alone.” Once-a-week watering will do it for most plants. Less is more in the dormant months. Also, when indoor gardening, she advises not to use any synthetic plant food. She likes to use Seaweed Garden Fertilizer. We’ve rounded up nine beautiful houseplants that are easy to take care of and are effective at increasing oxygen and clearing toxins for cleaner breathing air.
Croton adds a colorful blast and is easy to care for. Croton growing in containers should be watered only when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Then, they should be watered until the water flows out of the bottom of the container. The plant should also be kept away from drafts and cold, as it cannot endure temperatures below 60 degrees.
SNAKE PLANT Snake plants don’t need much light or water to survive, so they’re an easy choice for any corner of your home. The plant absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen during the night (while most plants do so during the day), so add one to your bedroom for a clean-air boost.
PE ACE LI LY The beautiful peace lily plant is a wonderful low-maintenance flower to keep in the home. Peace lilies do well in the shade and cooler temperatures, and they can reduce the levels of some toxins in the air.
POTHOS
ALOE
CACTUS
Pothos is also one of the easiest houseplants to grow. It’s a longgrowing, leafy vine that can reach 40 feet or more in tropical climates. It usually confines itself to about 6 to 10 feet in containers. A perk of growing pothos is that it is high on the list of plants that can help purify indoor air.
The gel of the Aloe plant has plenty of healing properties. Not only does it soothe skin, burns and cuts, but it can also help to monitor the air quality in your home. The plant can help clear the air of pollutants found in chemical cleaning products. Just an FYI: It grows best with lots of sun.
To round out the the list, there are always the cute, easy-going succulents and cacti, the top seller at school plant sales. Left on a tray with water and allowed to suck up what they need, they will grow and need transplanting along the way. Many have surprising, colorful blooms. Great for children to care for.
It’s a fact that when people take to the woods for a walk or a hike, it elevates their sense of well-being. So, beyond air quality, plants just make people feel better.
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