Are Indoor Plants Environmentally Beneficial?

The growing demand for houseplants has led to a massive industry, with many plants being mass-produced in industrial farms. While houseplants can beautify homes and offices, they also have negative environmental impacts. They can contribute to lower stress and anxiety levels, but the impact depends on individual practices and consumer habits.

Houseplants can help clean up the air by removing harmful chemicals and reducing carbon emissions. Research shows that plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, which can help reduce the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Some favorites include palm trees, which filter out acetone, xylene, and other harmful pollutants.

However, houseplants do not directly do anything negative or positive. Instead, they convert carbon dioxide into fresh oxygen, helping to lower carbon emissions. Some plants also purify the air by converting it into fresh oxygen. While houseplants can make homes and offices vibrant, they also introduce toxins into our homes.

While some believe that houseplants purify the air, they are far from being sustainable due to their use in large greenhouses that are resource-intensive. To ensure the sustainability of your indoor plants, avoid using peat and plastic pots and prioritize local plants. By doing so, you can help combat climate change and protect the environment while enjoying the benefits of indoor plants.

Do indoor plants reduce pollution?

Houseplants have been found to reduce pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene, which cause health problems like respiratory issues and cancer. However, a 2019 meta-analysis review found that to achieve the same benefits as other research studies, you would need 10-1, 000 plants per square meter of floor space in your home, office, or other indoor environment. Researchers used past research observations, standardized metrics, and extrapolated the findings to larger rooms and a larger number of plants.

They found that natural ventilation of a building would be most effective in removing indoor VOCs, rather than the plants themselves. This means that having 680 plants in your 1, 500 square foot home or office would not achieve the VOC-reduction results that many research studies demonstrate.

Are fake plants eco friendly?

Smart shoppers should consider the materials used in their purchases, as most faux plants are made from petroleum-based plastics, which are not easily recyclable and contribute to greenhouse gases. These plastics can pose risks to wildlife and nature, and should be disposed of responsibly. Instead, opt for eco-conscious plants made from non-toxic, recyclable materials that adhere to environmental standards, and choose plants made from non-toxic, recyclable materials. This will help reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment.

What are the disadvantages of houseplants?

Houseplants can be a source of health hazards, as they can harbor fungal spores and bacteria. Hospitals often ban potted plants due to increased safety and hygiene standards, rather than health concerns. However, healthy people are not affected by these microorganisms, as they are constantly surrounded by them in their everyday lives. Regular care is crucial in the bedroom, as spore load in the air can increase if plants start to mold.

While plants in the bedroom have disadvantages, they also offer advantages such as their beautiful appearance, providing a unique homeliness, and providing a better indoor climate. Air-purifying plants absorb pollutants like formaldehyde or cigarette smoke, which can positively affect health. Some plants, like CAM plants, produce oxygen at night, providing good air even during the dark hours. Lemon balm, for example, is an insider tip against mosquitoes due to its pleasant scent. Overall, plants in the bedroom can provide both aesthetic and health benefits.

Do snake plants really clean the air?

Snake plants are air-purifying plants that release oxygen and moisture into the air, thereby reducing allergens and the impact of dander and dust. The plants are engaged in continuous air purification, with the highest oxygen production occurring at night.

Which plant purifies air the most?

Houseplants are a great way to bring the outdoors indoors year-round, providing natural health benefits and reducing indoor pollutants like carbon dioxide. With a variety of indoor plants to choose from, you can curate a unique selection that suits your lighting situation and provides many health benefits. By choosing plants from the list, you can naturally remove sources of indoor air pollution like formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, benzene, and xylene, and replace them with CO2 for a happier and healthier lifestyle. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced plant owner, houseplants are a simple solution to bring the outdoors into your home year-round.

What are the side effects of indoor plants?

Houseplants can cause minor health issues for those with mold allergies, as they can have more mold in the soil. This can trigger allergic symptoms, such as runny nose, stuffy nose, or watery eyes, when people think they experience these symptoms when near or watering the plant. It is important to keep “toxic” houseplants away from children or animals who may be tempted to nibble on them. To schedule an appointment with a Piedmont physician, book online.

Are houseplants good or bad for you?

Gardening can be used by therapists to treat depression, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric conditions. Nurturing a living plant can lower anxiety, improve attention, and reduce depression severity. It can also aid those recovering from trauma, dementia, or living in long-term care facilities. However, pet owners should consult their vet or the ASPCA toxic plant list for safe plant choices.

What plant cleans the air the most?

NASA has compiled a list of the best plants to clean indoor air, including Golden Pothos, Bamboo Palm, Dracaena, Areca Palm, Gerbera Daisy, Philodendron, Weeping Fig, and Chinese Evergreen. These plants have been studied to determine their effectiveness in removing pollutants associated with indoor air pollution. NASA research found that living plants are so efficient at absorbing contaminants in the air that some will be launched into space as part of the biological life support system aboard future orbiting space stations. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is known for its ability to remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. It is easy to care for, thrives in indirect sunlight, and tolerates a range of temperatures.

Are houseplants ethical?

The rise in houseplant and gardening popularity has led to an increase in plant poaching, the illegal removal of rare and endangered plants from their natural habitats. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was established in 1975 to protect species’ survival. However, the houseplant craze has surged, particularly during the pandemic, and has become a source of income for local communities.

For example, poaching of South Africa’s succulents has escalated since March 2019, exacerbated by social media demand. The poaching has moved from international visitors to local South Africans, who are solicited by plant buyers.

Many plants, especially succulents, are endemic to specific areas and have small population sizes, making uprooting any number of them damaging the plant community and ecosystem. Many plants take decades to grow, prompting people to harvest mature plants from the wild. In 2022, a man illegally poached hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of dudleya succulents from the California coast was sentenced to two years in prison. California passed a law making it illegal to harvest these plants from the wild without a landowner’s permission or permit, with the penalty being a large fine or jail time.

Do houseplants absorb toxins?

NASA scientists conducted research on the potential of plants to clean the air, revealing that many houseplants are effective in removing toxins found in indoor environments. The research also found that microorganisms in the potting soil also contribute to air cleaning, provided leaves and other detritus are not covering the soil. The most common toxins removed by plants include formaldehyde, benzene, acetone, ammonia, trichloroethylene, and carbon monoxide. Formaldehyde pollution can be found in wood floorboard resins, pressed wood products, furniture, exhaust fumes, fabric treatments, and heating and cooking fuels.

Do house plants reduce CO2?

Plants and humans share a similar pattern of gas use, with plants absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen during photosynthesis. Plants, such as orchids, succulents, and epiphytic bromeliads, can be placed in interior spaces to increase oxygen levels and humidity. Plants release moisture vapor, which increases the humidity of the air around them, helping to prevent respiratory distresses. Studies at the Agricultural University of Norway show that using plants in interior spaces reduces the incidence of dry skin, colds, sore throats, and dry coughs.

Additionally, plants remove toxins from air, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene, which are found in man-made fibers, inks, solvents, and paint. These toxins are commonly found in study settings, where books and printed papers are abundant.