There are more reasons to keep indoor flowers and plants than just to make your house beautiful. Improving air quality and air filtering are just some of the few health benefits that they can provide. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) did research to evaluate the beneficial effects of houseplants in manned space operations. They found that common house plants can improve indoor air quality by purifying the air. Research shows:
House plants can contribute to our well-being, making us feel calm, less stressed and even optimistic. Plants have also been known to lower blood pressure.*
Some plants, like some orchids, bromeliads and succulents release some oxygen at night; so placing these plants in our bedrooms may help us sleep better.
Plants release water vapor into the air which helps to raise humidity levels indoors. This also helps with dry skin!
Plants remove carbon dioxide from the air during photosynthesis. This can help us feel less fatigue. Excess CO2 can lead to fatigue and drowsiness.
Some house plants remove indoor air pollutants released by common household items like formaldehyde, ammonia and benzene from the air. They are “nature’s air purifiers.”
Ideal air filter plants include peace lilies, spider plants, dracaenas, pothos, snake plant, Chinese evergreen and English ivy.
For an optimum effect, place one plant in a 10-12” container per 100 square foot of living space (or 2 plants in 5-6” containers.
*KSU Research cited in “Do Container Plants Help You Heal?”