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There are many reasons for creating an indoor garden
– significant among them is the need to clean the toxins from our
homes and offices. As a consequence of the energy crisis in the
1970’s, today’s homes and offices are built to conserve energy and
the outcome has been a lack of air exchange, with the resulting
increase of indoor air pollution. The World Health Organization has
stated, “there’s probably more damage to human health from indoor
pollution than from outdoor pollution.” Symptoms associated with
indoor pollution include allergies, asthma, eye, nose, and throat
irritations, fatigue, headache, nervous system disorders,
respiratory and sinus congestion. In today’s society more and more
people exhibit these symptoms as a result of staying indoors the
majority of the time.
One of the ways we can change this predicament is to become
knowledgeable about and responsive to the environment that we live
and breathe in. Foliage plants give us the opportunity to not only
provide the calming influences of nature in our homes and
workplaces, but also provide us with the oxygen we need to live. In
a study conducted by N.A.S.A., researchers found that plants also
clean the air inside our homes, buildings, and offices. The sources
of chemical emissions that cause indoor air pollution include:
acetone, alcohols; ammonia; benzene; chloroform; formaldehyde; and
xylene.
These chemicals are found in cosmetics, nail polish remover, office
correction fluid, pre-printed paper forms, adhesives, carpeting,
caulking compounds, ceiling tiles, floor coverings, paints,
particleboard, stains, varnishes, cleaning products,
electrophotographic printers, microfiche developers, photocopiers,
photography supplies, plastics, spot removers, solvents, tobacco
smoke, wall coverings, carpet glue, draperies, fabrics, facial
tissues, furniture made from preserved wood, gas stoves, grocery
bags, paper towels, permanent-press clothing, plywood, upholstery,
computer VDU screens, and community water supplies that add
chloroform to chlorinated tap water.
Researchers have discovered the most effective plants are: Aloe vera
(Aloe barbadensis) – removes chemical vapours; Arrowhead vine (Syngonium
podophyllum) – removes chemical vapours; Azalea (Rhododendron simsii
hybrids) – removes chemical vapours; Boston fern (Nephrolepis
exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’) – the best fern for removing air
pollutants; Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum) – removes
chemical vapours; Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera ‘Bridgesii’) –
removes chemical vapours; Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) – removes
chemical vapours; Dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’) –
best of the dracaenas for removing chemical toxins from the indoor
environment; Dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘Warneckii’) – especially
effective for the removal of benzene; Dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
– among the best plants for removing xylene; Dracaena (Dracaena
fragrans ‘Massangeana’) – especially effective at removing air
toxins such as formaldehyde; English ivy (Hedera helix) –
particularly effective at removing formaldehyde; Florist’s mum
(Chrysanthemum x morifolium) – one of the best flowering or seasonal
plants for removing formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia from the
atmosphere; Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) – removes chemical
vapours; Miniature date palm (Phoenix roebelinii) – one of the best
palms for removing indoor air pollutants, especially effective for
the removal of xylene; Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) – excels
in the removal of alcohol, acetone, benzene, and formaldehyde; Red
emerald philodendron (Philodendron erubescens) – one of the best
philodendrons for removing indoor air pollutants; Snake plant (Sansevieria
trifasciata) – good for removing chemical vapours; Spider plant (Chlorophytum
comosum ‘Vittatum’) – effective for removing indoor air pollutants
as well as chemical vapours; and Wax begonia (Begonia semperflorens)
– good for removing chemical vapours.
These are some of the plants known to contribute to healthy air
quality in our homes, buildings, and offices. Some plants may be
better than others are but all plants clean the air as they beautify
our surroundings and add oxygen and humidity to the indoor
environment. Horticulturist Ken Beattie suggests, “The next plant
you buy may save your life.”
Gwen Nyhus Stewart, B.S.W., M.G., H.T., is an educator, freelance
writer, garden consultant, and author of the book The Healing
Garden: A Place Of Peace – Gardening For The Soil, Gardening For The
Soul and the booklet Non-toxic Alternatives For Everyday Cleaning
And Gardening Products. She owns the website Gwen’s Healing Garden
where you will find lots of free information about gardening for the
soil and gardening for the soul. To find out more about the books
and subscribe to her free Newsletter visit
http://www.gwenshealinggarden.ca
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