Gardening Indoor Plants and Flowers

We know that indoor plants add colour and beauty to a room, and we suspect that we feel better when we are surrounded by loads of attractive plants.

Domestic folklore has long held the view that indoor plants have health-giving virtues, now research is confirming what granny knew all along: an indoor plant is a moisturiser, detoxifier, air cleaner and therapist in a pot.

NASA discovered that the presence of plants in an office environment reduced a battery of symptoms including dry itchy skin, sore throats, constant fatigue and, presumably as a result of these, absenteeism.

Thereafter, Norwegian research showed that plants support the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, which increases humidity. Next, it was the turn of Australian government researchers to confirm what granny and her sisters always knew; properly designed interior plantscapes remove pollutants used in decorating a home and reduce the dust in the air by up to 20%.

What a delight for housewives the world over plants catch and remove dust from the air!

Some plants are better air detoxifiers than others, with specific plants being best at removing or reducing levels of formaldehyde and benzene, two harmful, volatile organic compounds. Toxins containing formaldehyde are released by some foams, insulation products, types of board, carpeting and household cleaners, whereas petrol, synthetic fibres, plastics, inks, oils and detergents can release toxins containing benzene.

The following plants are best at reducing levels of formaldehyde-based toxins:

  • Azalea

  • Dieffenbachia

  • Philodendron

  • Spider plant

  • Bamboo palm

  • Dracaena Masangaena

  • Chrysanthemum

  • Mother-in-laws tongue

  • Poinsettia

For reducing the levels of benzene-based toxins, you would need some of the following plants in your home:

  • Hedera

  • Marginata

  • Draecaena

  • Chrysanthemum

  • Gerbera

  • Spathiphyllum

Published with permission of Chris Wilkinson Graemark