One of the most common and well-known houseplants is the spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum. It’s especially popular among novices because it’s simple to grow and spread, tolerates neglect, and thrives in practically any environment. The little plantlets produced on long trailing stems that resemble spiders give it its common name.
This clump-forming perennial herbaceous plant with narrow, strap-shaped leaves that emerge from a central point is native to coastal parts of South Africa. The leaves might be pure green or variegated with white or yellow streaks running lengthwise. The leaves appear to be funneled or folded down the middle, rather than being flat. Plants reach a height of 12-15 inches. The plant’s large, fleshy roots and rhizomes have developed to retain water, allowing it to withstand irregular irrigation.
Long, wiry stems up to 2 feet long, with a few small leaves, are generated, especially in response to short days and long, uninterrupted nights for at least three weeks, though they can appear at any time of year inside. At the terminals of the stems, little white star-shaped flowers appear. More leaves are generated at the end of the stems after flowering, generating miniature plantlets. When a flower is fertilized, it produces a leathery, 3-angled capsule-type fruit with flat black seeds.
Spider plants have been found in studies to be very successful at cleaning indoor air by absorbing pollutants such as formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and carbon monoxide in homes and offices.
Indoors, in medium to bright light, spider plants are very easy to grow all year. It thrives in moderate humidity and chilly to moderate temperatures, while it can endure higher temperatures. Use a soilless medium or a general-purpose potting soil. When plants are slightly pot-bound, they flourish and generate the most plantlets. They require periodic repotting to perform at their best because they grow swiftly and the roots can easily become overcrowded.
Between thorough waterings, allow the soil to dry gradually. Fertilizing every 3-4 months or feeding more regularly with a half-strength fertilizer solution is typically sufficient. Be careful that plants that have been intensively fertilized may not produce as many plantlets, and that too much fertilizer might cause tip browning.
Except for scale insects and mealybugs, spider plants have little pest concerns. Leaf tip burn is a widespread condition with a variety of causes. Brown leaf tips can be caused by low humidity, overly dry soil, salt accumulation, and/or pollutants in tap water, particularly fluoride or chlorine. Tip browning can be avoided by using distilled or rainwater. Root rot can be caused by overwatering or planting in poorly drained soils.
In cool climes, this plant can also be cultivated as an annual outside. It thrives in most well-drained soils and should be bedded out once the last frost has passed. With its grass-like foliage that contrasts nicely with other foliage types, spider plants make a fantastic addition to containers. It’s ideal for a hanging basket because the stems can dangle down. They require bright light when grown outside, however if grown in full sun, they may become sunburned. They create a beautiful ground cover in partly shaded regions of the garden in warmer climates.
Planting the “spiders” or plantlets that follow the flowers in their own pots is a simple way to reproduce spider plants. Set the plantlet on the surface of a pot filled with soilless potting material, still attached to the mother plant, and allow it to root before removing the stem attaching it to the mother plant. To keep the plantlet in contact with the soil until it grows roots, use a bent paper clip or a piece of wire. Alternatively, choose a plantlet that has already begun to produce roots and pot it. Plants that are larger can also be divided. They can also be produced from seed, though offspring may not have the same leaf hue as the parent.
- The leaves of ‘Milky Way’ have green borders and a large white to cream center, giving it a lighter appearance than other cultivars.
- The dark green leaves of ‘Vittatum’ have a wide, creamy white stripe running down the middle of each leaf. It grows at a slower rate than the green varieties.
- The leaves of ‘Variegatum’ are relatively broad green with white edges. Compared to other cultivars, this one produces fewer plantlets.
- The middle leaf vein of ‘White Stripe’ features a short white to cream line that fades as the leaf ages. Instead of being green, the flower stalks are cream to yellowish.
What are spider plants good for?
Indoor airborne contaminants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and other harmful gases are removed by spider plants, which are helpful for air cleaning. Other advantages include ozone absorption, humidification, home décor, and food use.
These aren’t the only advantages of spider plants, though. To assist you decide if spider plants are the finest indoor plant for your house, I’ve investigated the benefits and advantages of spider plants as well as how they work.
Where should I put a spider plant in my house?
- Place the plant in a room with bright to moderate light and a temperature that is pleasant for everyone.
- Maintain a slight moisture level in the soil. In the spring and summer, once-weekly watering is sufficient; in the winter, let the soil to dry out a little more between waterings. Fluoride in tap water is toxic to some houseplants, especially spider plants. For the plants, consider using distilled water or rainfall.
- Fertilize your houseplants every two to three weeks with a balanced houseplant fertilizer, as directed on the package.
Are spider plants good to have?
Fresh air is something we don’t get enough of in modern life, especially since we tend to be locked inside more and more due to our wonderful British weather!
Indoor air is generally stale, includes contaminants, and is frequently below acceptable humidity levels due to modern synthetic materials and temperature regulation.
Chemical vapours are discreetly pumped into the air by synthetic furniture, paints, and computers, to mention a few, while your heating system dries it out.
Allergies, asthma, headaches, and tickly coughs are all possible side effects.
The air we breathe indoors can be greatly improved by a simple plant. They work hard to remove these pollutants from our air and return humidity to the atmosphere.
Being near plants, in fact, has numerous health benefits. NASA research has shown that certain plants can help clean the air in your home and enhance oxygen levels. Plants have been demonstrated to assist us in the following ways in more general research across time:
However, not all plants are created equal. Some people prefer more light or heat than others, and some cleaner the air better than others, so choosing the proper one is crucial.
Here are our top ten air-purifying plants that will clean your air to help you choose the appropriate one:
ALOE VERA One of the best things about this plant is that it emits oxygen at night while also taking in carbon dioxide, which we all make when we breathe.
All of this contributes to cleaner air and a better night’s sleep.
SPIDER PLANT (CHLOROPHYTUM) The well-known Spider Plant is also a champion air purifier. According to NASA experiments, it can remove up to 90% of the potentially cancer-causing chemical formaldehyde from the air. Because formaldehyde is found in everyday items like adhesives, grout, and fillers, it’s a good idea to keep one of these plants in your kitchen and bathroom.
Top Tip: If you have dogs in your home, the Spider Plant is also considered a safe houseplant.
SANSEVERIA (SNAKE PLANT), also known as ‘Mother-in-Tongue,’ Law’s is a good filter for formaldehyde, which is commonly found in cleaning, hygiene, and personal care products.
SPATHIPHYLLUM (PEACE LILY) is a flower with robust dark green foliage and tall elegant white blossoms that is beautiful in its simplicity.
This plant is extremely easy to care for, and it aids in the removal of hazardous benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde pollutants. The moisture emitted by these beautiful flowers can increase the humidity in a room by up to 5%. This manner, you can put an end to those annoying dry noses and sleep soundly.
Top Tip: Because this plant is harmful to cats and dogs, consider the Spider Plant instead if your pet likes to nibble on your houseplants.
DRACENA MARGINATA DRACENA MARGINATA DRACENA MARGIN (DRAGON TREE) This plant can help you get rid of xylene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde, which can get into your home through lacquers like hairspray, furniture polish, and varnish.
PALM OF ARECA An exceptionally lovely palm with delicate fronds, suitable for use in the living room or hallway… This attractive plant releases a lot of moisture into the air, effectively eliminates toxins, is easy to care for, and resists insect infestations.
FERN FROM BOSTON This plant’s mass of luxuriant foliage aids in the removal of pollutants from the air and the improvement of humidity in a room. It should thrive with a little misting and watering on a regular basis.
ELASTICA FICUS (RUBBER PLANT)
If you don’t have a lot of natural light in your room, this is the plant to choose. It is a designer’s favorite because of its architectural form, and its simple, big leaves look nice in almost any setting. Formaldehyde, one of the most frequent pollutants found in our indoor air, is particularly effective at removing it.
BENJAMIN FICUS (WEEPING FIG) The Weeping Fig is ideal for filtering contaminants including formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene, which are commonly found in carpeting and furniture.
SCINDAPSUS Another effective formaldehyde-fighting plant, it will cascade in a waterfall of green from a hanging basket.
Top Tip: If you live near a busy road, surround yourself with this lovely gushing flora to keep car exhaust pollutants at bay.
There are many more plants that can make your home look and smell lovely, but these 10 are essential for keeping you and your family healthy by acting as natural air filters and improving oxygen levels.
NASA recommends that you have between 15 and 18 plants in your home to help filter the air you breathe.
Is spider plant good for indoor?
- Water sparingly throughout the first year of growth; after completely developed (within a year), water moderately.
- Keep the soil moist during the spring and summer months to encourage development. Allowing the soil to dry out too much is not a good idea.
- Maintain a constant temperature and humidity level in the room. Spider plants thrive in temperatures ranging from 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 27 degrees Celsius), making them an excellent indoor houseplant.
- In the spring and summer, fertilize up to twice a month; nevertheless, avoid overfertilization.
Is it OK to sleep with plants in your bedroom?
Despite the numerous advantages that indoor plants bring, there are differing viewpoints on whether or not they should be kept in the bedroom: detrimental vs. beneficial. Some say it is dangerous because plants, like humans, breathe at night and emit carbon dioxide as a reverse reaction to photosynthesis, but humans and pets produce more CO2.
Carbon dioxide, contrary to popular belief, is generally innocuous in small concentrations. Carbon monoxide, CO2’s cousin, is exceedingly harmful, which may explain why some people believe that a few houseplants will cause CO2 suffocation. Plants are excellent for the bedroom, thus the answer to this question is a hearty yes.
Spider Plant
Spider plants, like snake plants, are excellent bedroom plants because they filter the air you breathe.
The spider plant is a terrific choice if you’re concerned about making the air around you cleaner and boosting your overnight rests.
Why is the peace lily lucky?
The Peace Lily is considered auspicious because its leaves resemble two hands clasped together, symbolizing openness of soul.
Because the Peace Lily is poisonous in its natural habitat, some people believe it will ward off bad spirits. It also represents calm and prosperity in business, making it an excellent choice for workplace environments.
This indoor plant, in addition to having strong protecting energy, has amazing white blossoms that are majestic, attractive, and have blooms that last for months!
How do I arrange the Peace Lily?
Because this good luck plant grows higher than most indoor plants, you can use it to create levels in your flower arrangements. The dazzling white blossoms of the Peace Lily also provide a superb focal point for your arrangement.
You may make a lovely centerpiece by combining Peace Lilies with other plants that suit their unique appearance, such as Lucky Bamboo or Jade Plants.
How do I care for the Peace Lily?
Peace Lilys prefer to be near an east-facing window because they demand a lot of bright indirect light. This ensures that they get enough sunlight in the morning and early evening.
Water can be used to grow peace lilies. To do so, use a diluted balanced fertilizer or quarter-strength houseplant food once a month to fertilize them.
It’s also worth noting that, while Peace Lilies are beneficial in Feng Shui, they’re somewhat harmful to dogs and cats if they consume the leaves.
Why is the Spider Plant lucky?
In eastern culture, spider plants are thought to bring good fortune and health. The natural, sturdy, and lengthy tendrils of the Spider Plant will grow to reflect life’s steadiness.
They also help to enhance air quality and are one of the most popular indoor plants among lucky plant collectors.
How do I arrange the Spider Plant?
In a dark-colored plant pot, the Spider Plant’s vivid green leaves provide a nice contrast of hues. The Spider Plant, on the other hand, can seem tiny and charming when placed in a white planter.
As the luxuriant vines trail below, hanging this lucky plant high in a basket gives off various villa-style impressions.
How do I care for the Spider Plant?
Spider plants prefer damp soil, but not wet soil. They don’t require a lot of watering.
However, make sure your plant is near a window or in a bright room with enough of indirect light so it can acquire enough oxygen and produce healthy green leaves!
Spider plants are ideal for apartment dwellers since they grow quickly and require little maintenance.
Why is the African Violet lucky?
Because its flowers are usually a bright and joyful color, African Violet plants are thought to bring good luck. When it comes in colours that promote optimism and dispel bad energy, such as lavender or purple, the African Violet is said to bring prosperity.
Their botanical origins in the eastern part of Africa, where they were once used by the indigenous to treat maladies like bronchitis, give them a reputation for long life and excellent health.
How do I arrange the African Violet?
This positive energy plant can be used alone in a planter or in a bigger planter as part of a larger arrangement. They have little rounded leaves and enormous exploding flowers that look fantastic in large planters as a mid-level plant with trailing vines.
How do I care for the African Violet?
The African violet is another plant that thrives in high humidity and indirect light. It should be placed near an east or west-facing window so that they can get enough of early light.
Tip: They’ll grow OK with just water, but they’ll bloom better if you feed them a quarter-strength houseplant food dissolved in warm water every few weeks.
Why is Lucky Bamboo lucky?
When put on an office desk, the Lucky Bamboo plant is thought to signify life growth.
Lucky Bamboo has numerous connotations in Feng Shui, including “may all my wishes come true” and “let me grow strong.”
This magnificent indoor plant is a major player in attracting wealth and enhancing luck as a sign of prosperity and courage in the face of hardship.
With long, narrow leaves that are robust but flexible, and erect stems like most bamboo, this fortunate Bamboo plant looks wonderful in any living room.
How do I arrange Lucky Bamboo?
The light green tone of the Lucky Bamboo contrasts nicely with darker-colored furniture, creating visual interest without being overpowering.
Furthermore, the lovely and exquisite braiding of these lucky plants’ stems is a piece of natural art.
This sacred tree can suffer if cultivated in artificial light without enough natural sunlight, thus these lucky indoor plants prefer to be near an east-facing window!
How do I care for Lucky Bamboo?
The Lucky Bamboo plant requires plenty of bright, indirect light as well as protection from the hot summer months; it is susceptible to root rot if left in damp soil for more than two days at a time, especially in humid locations.
Because of its natural growth and attractive appearance, the fortunate Bamboo plant is also an ideal choice for a gift.
Why is the Money Tree lucky?
The Pachira Money Tree, also known as the Money Tree, is considered auspicious since it represents both riches and stability.
Millions of people believe that this good luck plant will bring them money and good fortune over the course of their lives.
This lucky tree will make any living area feel lush and devoid of negative chi with its lovely green leaves that are tough but flexible, as well as upright stalks like most bamboo plants.
How do I arrange Money Trees?
For maximum luck, the Pachira Money Tree should be put toward the north or east. Money trees are also useful in interior design because they are little potted plants that can sit on a plant stand, seat on a shelf, or even stand on the floor.
How do I care for the Money Tree?
Money trees should only be watered seldom because they are a low-maintenance plant. Check the soil; if the first few inches are dry, it’s time to give it a good soak.
Money trees thrive in high-light environments. However, if possible, they should be placed in indirect sunlight.
Why is the Jade Plant lucky?
Money plants, also known as Jade plants, are not to be confused with Money Trees, despite the fact that they belong to the same family!
According to Feng Shui, the Jade Plant gives good fortune since it is so sturdy and durable that it can resist many misfortunes in life. This ability to persevere in the face of adversity will eventually provide the houseplant owner money.
How do I arrange the Money Plant?
Money plants are little indoor plants with attractive rounded leaves that look cute in any decor and are easy to arrange. Placing them on a table brings them into focus for everyone to enjoy.
Larger Money Plants can be placed on the floor close to the sofa for a revitalizing and lucky living room.
How do I care for the Money plant?
The Money Plant, another low-maintenance plant, does best in a well-lit space with indirect sunshine. Money plants need to be watered sparingly because they are succulents. Before watering again, make sure the soil is totally dry.
Tip: The Money Plant grows well in natural light indoors, but if the round leaves begin to turn brown, simply move the Money plant to a darker section of your home.
Why is the Chinese Evergreen lucky?
Because of the plant’s exceptional leaves, which signify a rich future and stability in life, the Chinese Evergreen, also known as Red Aglaonema or Good Fortune Plant, is one of the most auspicious plants that offer good luck.
The red type, in particular, has beautiful variegated leaves that pulse positive energy, making it a highly fortunate plant.
How do I arrange Chinese Evergreen?
The vibrant hues produced by these lucky indoor plants are a show-stopper for visitors to your home. The first step in removing negative energy in a space is to place them in prominent positions, such as on a plant stand.
How do I care for Chinese Evergreen?
The Chinese Evergreen needs a lot of light, but it should be maintained away from windows that are too hot or get too much direct sunshine, since this can scorch the leaf.
Use indoor plant fertilizer once or twice a year to keep the leaves healthy and continue to attract good luck.
Why is the Golden Pothos lucky?
In Feng Shui, the Golden Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is considered lucky. They are part of the Money plant family and are thought to bring good fortune, a successful future, and life stability.
Because of their clinging nature, ivy plants are generally associated with long-term friendships or partnerships in Feng Shui.
How do I arrange Golden Pothos?
This good luck plant, which grows wild in the rainforest, makes a lovely hanging vine. Place them in hanging baskets or on a shelf as indoor plants with the foliage trailing down.
To fight off negative energy, homeowners should place this lucky plant near sharp corners of their home, according to Feng Shui.
How do I care for Golden Pothos?
It’s one of the luckiest indoor plants in Feng Shui, and it’s also low-maintenance, needing only watering every two weeks or so. They prefer bright, indirect light and will tolerate poorer circumstances, though they do not fare well in direct sunlight.
Golden Pothos is another one of those fortunate plants that filters pollutants from the air. This can be placed in your bathroom to help purify the air and dispel negative chi.
Why is the snake plant lucky?
Snake plants are thought to safeguard your home or property in Feng Shui, and are commonly utilized by new business owners to bring success, money, and good luck while defending against negativity.
The upright growth of this lucky plant resembles a sword, which denotes strength and power. It’s a terrific resource to have on hand for when you need bravery!
How do I arrange the Snake Plant?
This lucky plant, also known as Mother-In-Tongue, Law’s is normally kept inside next to the door for optimal protection.
They are very handy in modern interior design to point upwards towards a picture or other element of your decor.
How do I care for the Snake Plant?
Snake plants are very low-maintenance, requiring only a few waterings per month when the soil is dry. Too much water will stunt the Snake Plant’s growth and decrease the virility of the leaves, resulting in less protection from bad spirits!
Why is Aloe Vera lucky?
Many civilizations throughout the world have employed this potent source of good luck to treat wounds, burns, itching from bug bites or sunburns, and other skin diseases like eczema since ancient times.
Aloe Vera plants are claimed to create riches and positive energy by absorbing the sun’s “chi” and then releasing it back into the environment for a general sense of well-being.
How do I arrange Aloe Vera?
Aloe Vera, like other little lucky plants, can be planted in a planter and placed near shelves and coffee tables for front row good luck vibrations.
When Aloe Vera’s prickly thick leaves are within reach, they may be easily snapped off to harvest the plant’s inherent good luck elements wonderful for treating summer burns or winter rashes!
How do I care for Aloe Vera?
Aloe Vera is a succulent that requires little care because it retains water in its leaves for a long period. It also signifies that too much water will injure it, eventually leading to root rot.
Allow time for your Aloe plant to dry out between waterings. Before tending to the soil, always check for moisture.
Do spider plants attract spiders?
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are so named because the small plantlets or offshoots at the ends of long wiry stems are “spidery,” not because they attract and host spiders. This is one of the easiest houseplants to care for, and it’s usually grown in a hanging container so the stems can cascade.
How often should I water a spider plant?
Spider plants are thirsty plants that are extremely forgiving if you overwater them. Water your spider plants roughly once a week in most cases. Check the soil of the plants to see if it’s dry before watering. If the soil is still wet, wait another day and repeat the process until the soil is dry. Although the plant is thirsty, it prefers the soil to dry out every now and again.
To avoid overwatering your spider plant, make sure to inspect the soil. Once isn’t a problem because the spider plant recovers rapidly, but doing so on a regular basis will destroy it. By keeping an eye on the soil’s moisture levels, you may allow the spider plant to absorb nutrients at its own speed. When watering your spider plant, remember this simple phrase: let it dry out a little before watering lavishly.
Symptoms of overwatering your spider plant
If you accidently overwatered your spider plant, it will let you know right away. Overwatering will cause your spider plant to show a few signs, the most obvious of which is that the leaves will begin to turn brown and die slowly. If this occurs, stop watering, let the soil to dry up, and then water again. Within a few days, the plant should resume where it left off. It usually bounces back quickly.
Symptoms of underwatering your spider plant
Make sure the plant hasn’t gone more than a few days without water when you let the soil dry up. Your spider plant’s leaves will start to fade to a lighter tint if it doesn’t get enough water. The leaves are normally a dark green color, but if your plant isn’t getting enough water, the leaves will turn lighter. This makes determining whether or not your plant requires water very simple.
The leaves of your Spider plant will also begin to fold up down the length of the leaf as a result of being submerged.
It’s time to water your plant again when you see this.
Whether you’ve just watered your plant, give it a day or two to see if it unfolds its leaves again.
It’s preferable to delay a day rather than overwater your plant.
Do spider plants help clean the air?
Houseplants may be an effective way to improve the air quality in your home and office, according to a growing body of studies on the subject.
Perhaps you recall the news from more than a decade ago that spider plants appeared to clean the air very well. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducted preliminary tests on three common houseplants’ ability to remove formaldehyde from the air and discovered that spider plants were the champions, removing 95 percent of the toxic substance from a sealed Plexiglas chamber in just 24 hours.
Much more research has been done on the phenomena since then, and the news about spider plants is no longer so bright. But it isn’t because the tests were incorrect. Other plants, it turns out, also purify the air, removing pollutants such as ammonia and benzene. Adhesives, ceiling tiles, photocopiers, and upholstery are just a few of the many sources of toxics in our daily life. And other plants are far superior to the spider plant in this regard. Houseplants may be an effective way to improve the air quality in your home and office, according to a growing body of studies on the subject.
Bill Wolverton, a former NASA research scientist who was first interested in greenery as part of ecological life-support systems for space flight, has led much of the research. Plants take pollutants from the air as part of their natural “breathing” process (carbon dioxide in, oxygen out) and carry them to their roots, where bacteria feed on and detoxify them, according to Wolverton.
Wolverton has tested individual plants’ filtering capacity by placing them in sealed 85-gallon tanks with a series of harmful compounds, then measuring how much of each toxin remains at 12-hour intervals. The outcomes have been outstanding. “We discovered that the most successful plants had a high transpiration rate,” adds Wolverton, “which means they emit more moisture into the environment.” “A natural pumping action is responsible for this. Plants pump moisture out as they drag air down to their roots.”
Wolverton, who is now retired from NASA, promotes houseplants in his book How to Grow Fresh Air and through his Picayune, Mississippi-based company, Wolverton Environmental Services. Soon, he’ll be selling a “improved” planter that includes a fan and filter to boost a plant’s natural pumping activity. However, while other research have confirmed and expanded on his findings, the precise filtration capability of plants outside the lab remains unknown.
The Indoor Environments Division of the Environmental Protection Agency’s John Girman adds, “There is no debate about what plants do.” “It’s an issue of how well they do it and whether that’s good enough to be an effective pollution control method in a normal indoor setting.” While one plant can clean the air in a small, enclosed room, many more plants would be required to achieve the same results in a whole house. It’s unclear how many there are. Wolverton estimates that 60 people could accomplish the job; Girman estimates that the number is closer to 700.
Part of the ambiguity stems from the issue of ventilation. Plants have filtered as much as a tenth of the air in confined compartments every hour. “Until you compare it to the ventilation in an average home,” Girman says, estimating that three-quarters of that air is replenished every hour. “In other words, that fantastic outcome you’re getting in a sealed chamber is nowhere like the usual air turnover you’d find in a typical home,” he explains. According to Wolverton, an average air change in a residence is closer to 40% every hour. Some structures are significantly more airtight than others. He claims that “tightly sealed buildings provide conditions that are quite comparable to static lab tests in that there is very little air movement.”
The static aspect of lab experiments, in which a plant processes a restricted amount of harmful substance, is another source of concern. The sources of the majority of indoor air pollutants produce pollutants on a continuous basis. “Those toxicants are continually being replenished in real-life conditions,” explains Ball State University environmental scientist Thad Godish. “In fact, lowering the concentration of toxicants in the environment causes a source like particleboard to release them at a faster pace due to the change in vapor pressure.”
In tests, Wolverton and colleagues discovered that plants can continually remove formaldehyde from the air. Not only that, but he’s discovered that at least one plant, the lady palm, improves its gas-disposal efficiency with time.
Anecdotal evidence implies that there are benefits beyond what has been established in the lab. Jan Roy, managing director of the Plants for Clean Air Council, an advocacy group funded in part by private growers, says, “I get calls all the time from people who tell me their headaches, sore throats, or other sick building symptoms have either gone away or greatly diminished after they brought in plants.” .
Roy and Wolverton propose utilizing a variety of plants because each has a varied affinity for different toxics. “The more you have, the faster they’ll work,” Wolverton adds, recommending two or three plants in 8- or 10-inch pots for every 100 square feet of floor space as a rule of thumb.
Excessive humidity, which can foster the growth of mold and germs as well as unwelcome pests, is one potential disadvantage of having a lot of plants. Allowing your plants to sit in stagnant water will assist to prevent this. Dispose of the water that has drained through the soil into the pan or tray below. Sub-irrigation planters, which feature built-in watering tubes, completely avoid the problem by funneling water directly into a soil reservoir. Cover the soil with Spanish moss or aquarium gravel to prevent mold from forming on top of it.
Wolverton warns that plants should never be thought of as a panacea. “Even a great number of plants won’t fix the problem if you have a new building with high indoor air pollution,” he explains. A plant in your “personal breathing zone,” which Wolverton defines as the six to eight cubic feet of air surrounding a human, can be a soothing presence, similar to a cat in your lap.
“Keep a good plant near you if you spend a lot of time at a computer or in an easy chair watching TV,” he advises. “Because the closer you get to that plant, the more benefits it will provide.”