How about brightening your day and your home with eco-friendly house plants?

Animated image of a house plant with hearts surrounding it Research shows that house plants can reduce stress and act as natural air filters which purify the air in confined spaces and reduce the spread of viruses.

How House Plants Purify Indoor Air

House plants purify the air through the processes of photosynthesis and respiration.

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When we exhale, we release carbon dioxide into the air. During the day, plants take in that carbon dioxide and convert it to oxygen (photosynthesis). At night, plants take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide (respiration) .

During these processes, plants remove air pollutants, such as viruses and chemicals that can come from your carpet, furniture, and paint . This means that a home with plants has cleaner air than a home without, which is important if you have asthma or are sensitive to certain chemicals in the air.

Get Your Home Ready For New Plants

Before buying plants, look at each room in your home. Note how much sun there is at different times of the day. This will help you decide where to place your new plants.

Plan to have about 2 plants per 100 sq. ft./9.3 sq. m.

Some plants, like pothos and snake plants, grow in bright or low light, so they can go in almost any room in your home — even the bathroom which typically has low light.

Others, like the spider plant, prefer bright/indirect light, so place them in areas with more windows — maybe your living room or kitchen.

Below is a room with bright light.

An image of a furnished living room with house plants in different locations. Photo by Kate Darmody on Unsplash

Below is a room with low light.

An image of a house plant in a darker area of a home. Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Quiz

Ruby has a 900 sq. ft./275 m. apartment. What is the maximum number of house plants Ruby should have?

Caring For Your Plants

Pay attention to water and fertilizer. Every 3-4 days, check your plants' soil for moisture. If it's moist, don't add water. Some plants prefer dry soil, such as aloe vera, so water them every other week. Use water-based fertilizer once a month.

An image of a house plant on a ledge with a watering can next to it. Photo by Simona Takareviciute on Unsplash

4 Plants That Can Purify The Air In Your Home

Pothos

Pothos grow in moist soil or jars with water.

An image of pothos plants in jars with water. Photo by Mahdi Dastmard on Unsplash

Spider plant

These have long stems with new shoots.

An image of a spider plant with a blue and white vase sitting on a sheet. Photo by Susan Wilkinson on Unsplash

Snake plant

Snake plants are hearty and can grow up to 8 ft./2.4 m. tall.

An image of a snake plant Photo by Kara Eads on Unsplash

Aloe Vera

If you're forgetful when watering plants, then get an aloe vera. They like dry soil.

An image of an aloe vera plant Photo by Ergita Sela on Unsplash

Quiz

Jack's apartment doesn't have many windows, so most of the rooms have low light. Which plant(s) would do well in Jack's apartment?

Sustainability And House Plants

The plant industry leaves a significant carbon footprint, but there are steps to protect the planet and still enjoy your houseplants.

Avoid peat

Peat holds moisture in soil. The plant industry uses more peat than can be reproduced and harms wetlands that absorb carbon from trees . Avoid buying plants with peat and use homemade compost instead.

An image of leaf compost

Buy local

Transporting plants long distances generates emissions that harm the planet . Buy locally grown plants and propagate to create new plants.

An image of a planted pot next to 3 cups with water holding plant cuttings Photo by Naeem shahrizadegan on Unsplash

Take Action

An image of a woman holding a plant Create a calming environment while purifying the air in your home with some house plants!

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