How many hours do you spend indoors? Chances are that between work and home, you are spending a large chunk of your day breathing stale air, which can cause a number of adverse health effects such as drowsiness and headaches. Indoor air also contains VOCs that are emitted by plastics and synthetics in furniture, fittings, computers, printers and other equipment around your workplace or home. Stale air and VOCs can lead to “sick building syndrome”, which causes symptoms such as fatigue, headache, dry skin, coughing and eye irritation.
The simple solution is to spend more time outdoors – but when this is just not possible, introducing some indoor plants to your workplace or home can help reverse the negative effects of breathing in too much carbon dioxide.
A study conducted by the University of Technology Sydney found that when placed in air-conditioned buildings, indoor plants reduced carbon dioxide levels by 10 per cent. In buildings that weren’t air-conditioned, this figure rose to 25 per cent.
Indoor plants absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and refresh stale air by releasing oxygen through foliage. So what are you waiting for? Here’s a list of some recommended indoor plants that will help clear the air in your workplace or home.
Peace Lily - these plants have dark green leaves and white “flowers”, which is actually a leaf bract that grows hooded over the flowers. Peace lilies like medium to low light and moist conditions. The leaves will start to turn brown if the air is not humid enough.
Mother-in-law’s Tongue (Sansevieria) – one of the most easy care indoor plants. It is also very popular due to its appearance, which suits all homes from traditional to modern. Bold lines have led it to become a very popular choice for architects and interior designers.
Bromeliads - bromeliads come in a variety of shapes, sizes and foliage colours, and are hardy indoor plants which also grow well outdoors. They enjoy warmth and humidity, but must also have good air movement. They require extra care and attention during hot weather or heated conditions.
Yucca (Yucca elephantipes) – yuccas are one of the most versatile and hardy indoor foliage plants. They have long woody stems and large strappy leaves which add architectural flare to any office. Yuccas need high levels of light and are usually quite happy to be left alone for long periods of time.
Rubber Plant - a tough plant that can reach big heights within a few years. While its size can still be tamed, you have to keep in mind it will eventually require a certain amount of space. Tthe Rubber Plant is one of the best houseplants to clean the air. It is mostly resistant to pests and diseases and has a high transpiration rate which increases the humidity of the room it lives in.
