AIR QUALITY IN THE OFFICE/HOME ENVIRONMENT

AIR QUALITY IN THE OFFICE/HOME ENVIRONMENT

Have you ever wondered what your home or office had in common with a NASA spaceship? Probably not - I know I never have! But the answer is actually quite obvious - poor air quality! According to the EPA, our indoor air quality is 2-5 times more toxic than outside air! On average, people spend more than 90% of their time indoors (they must not be gardeners!). Living and working in places filled with air contaminants that lack decent ventilation can cause "sick building syndrome", which can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and eye, ear and nose irritation.

Here a just a few of these pollutants and where they are found - formaldehyde - lacquers, varnishes, gasoline trichloroethylene - adhesives, lubricants, paints, varnishes, paint strippers, pesticides, dry cleaners benzene - glue, paint, plastics, detergents toluene - paints, lacquers, adhesives, inks, cleaning products xylene - paint thinners, varnish, cleaning products ammonia - cleaning products, fertilizers, plastics, rubber & petro products

Indoor air pollution can also be caused by pollen, bacteria and molds, and even car exhaust finding its way into buildings (your office parking lot).

The easiest and least expensive way to combat poor indoor air quality - HOUSEPLANTS!!!

HOW THEY HELP

All plants need 3 things to survive - water, sunlight and carbon dioxide, which plants take in naturally from the air. Houseplants absorb some of the particulates from the air at the same time they take in carbon dioxide, which is then processed into oxygen through photosynthesis. Microorganisms associated with each plant are present in the potting soil and these microbes are responsible for much of the cleaning effect. At the same time plants put oxygen into the air, they also add moisture, which raises the humidity in your home or office, helping to prevent dry skin and sore throats. Even beyond air quality, plants tend to make people feel better. Having indoor plants just may make people smarter by allowing them to stay alert, reducing mental fatigue and increasing productivity in the home/office environment. And on top of all that, houseplants add beauty and a natural feel to any room!

HOW MANY PLANTS DO I NEED? Following is a guide to help determine how many houseplants you should have per size of your home/office - 1 houseplant with an 8-10" pot size per every 100 square feet 1 houseplant with a small 4-6" pot size near your personal breathing zone such as your nightstand, desk or counter 15-20 medium to large houseplants per 1500 square feet of home/office size

On the following pages, I have comprised a list of several easier care houseplants that are better than others at removing hazardous and toxic chemicals from the air. This is just a start - there are many, many more. Have fun, research "plants that purify" and try others if some of yours fail. Many times it's not the plant, but the environment you have put it into. Change its location - maybe it needs more light? Maybe you're watering too much??? You may not have success with every plant, so experiment. I have also listed several "growing tips" to help set you up for a successful endeavor into cleaner air!!!

BREATHE IN BETTER LIFE WITH HOUSEPLANTS!!!

PEACE LILY (Spathiphyllum)

The Peace Lily is at the top of its class for its ability to remove the most toxins from our indoor air (benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene and ammonia). Easy to grow with regular fertilization at least once a month (but no more than twice a month). Keep soil moist, but not soggy, give bright indirect sunlight and this plant will produce beautiful white flowers most of the year. Be aware that the flowers (like all flowers) will contribute some pollen and floral scents to the air. Topped NASA's list for removing first 3 toxins listed above.

POTHOS (Epipremnum aureum)

Excellent for removing several of the most common toxins indoors ( benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene), the Pothos can take low light to high light and even some direct morning sun. Prefers to be kept moist, not soggy, but is forgiving if allowed to dry out between waterings. Fertilize at least once per month with a houseplant fertilizer.

SNAKE PLANT or Mother-in-Law's Tongue (Sanseveria sp.)

One of the hardest houseplants to kill, the Snake Plant prefers to stay more on the dry side only needing water about twice a month. Great bathroom plant as it removes formaldehyde, common in toilet paper, tissues, cleaning products and personal care products, along with benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene. Does best in bright light or direct morning sun and can tolerate low light areas, but will not actively grow much in low light. Fertilize once monthly with a houseplant fertilizer to keep foliage upright and nicely variegated.

DRACAENA (Dracaena spp.)

There are more than 40 different kinds of Dracaena plants, making it easy to find one to fit your office or home. They're common foliage plants with long leaves often variegated with lines of white, cream or red. Toxic to dogs and cats, pet owners beware. Removes benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene, dracaenas can grow to a height of 8' - 10', depending on size of pot. Can take low to medium indirect light, are slow growing and prefer the top 1"-2" of soil to dry before watering. Fertilize at least once per month with a houseplant fertilizer.

ANTHURIUM (Anthurium sp.)

The Anthurium, also known as Painters Pallet or Flamingo Flower, blooms in different colors throughout the entire year. Great for removing formaldehyde, toluene, xylene and ammonia. Best with bright light and can handle some direct sun as long as they're given ample water. Don't let anthurium completely dry out. Water at least once weekly, keeping soil moist but not soggy. Fertilize every other week with a bloom specific fertilizer (Miracle-Gro 10-10-10) so it has nutrients it needs to bloom continuously.

CHINESE EVERGREEN (Aglaonema modestum)

An excellent plant for a dark room or office without windows, the Chinese Evergreen helps to purify the air, removing benzene and formaldehyde. Has many different foliage variegations to choose from, including white, cream, yellows, pinks and reds. Prefers medium light, but can tolerate low light and likes to slightly dry in between waterings. Accomplish this by allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry before watering again. Plants in lower light require less water since they grow at a much slower rate than those in medium to high light. Fertilize once monthly with houseplant fertilizer.

BAMBOO PALM (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

Few plants thrive in low light like the Bamboo Palm, also removing formaldehyde, toluene and xylene from the air. Can also take medium to bright light. Water at least once a week, allowing plant to dry slightly between waterings and fertilize once monthly with houseplant fertilizer. This plant can grow as tall as 4 to 12 feet high, and is pet friendly.

WEEPING FIG (Ficus benjamina)

Also known as the Ficus Tree, is great for removing formaldehyde, toluene and xylene from the air. Easy to maintain, is typically trained as a tree and can grow to 10' tall. Needs bright light and can even take full sun, but keep well watered. May require some light pruning as it's a fast grower, but no more than a few small branches at most twice a year. Fertilize once a month with houseplant fertilizer. Also can be grown in bush form and comes with variegated leaves.

HEARTLEAF PHILODENDRON (Philodendron cordatum) Known as the most common trailing houseplant, the Heartleaf Philodendron is easy to grow and hard to kill! Can take low, medium or even direct sunlight. Removes formaldehyde from the air, and can be grown by itself or combined with other houseplants. Occasional trimming may be necessary if vines get too long but these trimmings can be propagated with a glass of water and/or by just sticking them in a small pot of potting mix (soil). Keep well watered and fertilize with houseplant fertilizer once monthly.

SPIDER PLANT (Chlorophytum Comosum "Vittatum")

One of the easiest houseplants to grow, the Spider Plant loves bright, indirect light, but can withstand medium light. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Removes formaldehyde, xylene, benzene and carbon monoxide from the air. Spider plants are well known for sending out large amount of "pups" the mother plant produces that can easily be cut from the plant and potted into soil to produce new plants. Fertilize with houseplant fertilizer once monthly. This plant is safe for pets too!

ORCHIDS, especially Dendrobium Orchids (Dendrobium sp.)

Some of the most beautiful flowers around, orchids filter toluene and xylene from the air! They need bright indirect light and water weekly. Fertilize with orchid fertilizer monthly. Don't place orchids near bananas or gas fireplaces, drafts or heating vents and you'll have beautiful flowers for months!

FERNS, especially Boston Ferns(Nephrolepis exaltata Bostoniensis) and Kimberly Queens (Nephrolepis obliterate)

Great at filtering formaldehyde, xylene and toluene from the air, ferns are best in a room with an eastern exposure, as they require medium to high light. Keep moist and do not allow them to dry out. Fertilize with houseplant fertilizer monthly for nice green foliage and full, bushy growth. Ferns also prefer high humidity.

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ALOE VERA (Aloe vera or A. barbadensis)

Aloe not only removes the pollutant formaldehyde from the air, but the leaves hold a fluid that has anti-inflammatory, wound healing properties. This clear liquid is full of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and other compounds that have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. There is even evidence that aloe may help skin conditions like psoriasis. It is a succulent and requires bright light with some direct sun in winter months, and very little watering. In fact, it's best watered by setting the pot in a bowl of water for 10 minutes and allowing plant to take up water from the bottom. Do not let water collect in rosette of leaves or they will rot. In winter water only every 3-4 weeks, in summer every 2 weeks. Fertilize in spring and summer with high potassium fertilizer.

GARDEN MUM (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Yep, these are the plants we all love to put out on our front porch in fall with pumpkins and a scarecrow! Who knew that NASA lists this plant as an air purifying champion, removing ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde and xylene from indoor air. Benzene comes from glue, paint, plastics and detergent, which are common household and office items. They require direct sunlight when indoors so an east or west window would be best to keep them in bloom for as long as possible. Check the top inch or so of the soil and water when dry. Once finished blooming, they can be planted outside.

GROWING TIPS

The two most frequent mistakes people make with houseplants are over watering and putting the plant in the wrong light situation. Following are a few "tips" to help set you up for success with your houseplants, whether in the home or office environment.

LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

LOW LIGHT - this means light shade. Position the plant well back from the nearest window. You'd be able to read a book without too much strain on your eyes, but little or no direct sunlight should hit the plant.

MEDIUM LIGHT - both foliage and some flowering plants thrive with this amount of light. You'll find medium light coming from a northeast or west window that receives a few hours of early morning or late afternoon sun.

BRIGHT LIGHT - direct sunlight for several hours in early morning or late afternoon, but not the full strength of midday sun. Place these plants in front of an east or west window or a few feet back from a south window. Many flowering plants, herbs, cacti and succulents need this much light, but it's too bright for most foliage plants.

DIRECT SUNLIGHT - this is intense light, 4 or more hours of direct sunlight daily. An unshaded window that faces due south during summer months receives intense light. Keep in mind the intensity of direct light varies according to the season. When the sun is higher in the sky (summer), the light is hotter and more intense but reaches less distance into the room.

In winter the sun is lower in the sky and the direct light comes farther into the room but with less intensity. Low light plants usually do well in east, northeast or north windows, where they get mostly indirect light. West windows are hotter than south windows due to the concentrated quality of the sunlight in the late part of the afternoon. An east window is a nice compromise between heat and intensity - full sun in the morning hours when temperatures are still cool. Most flowering plants will thrive in an east window!

WATERING

Every plant has its own requirements, so be sure and check its tag or ask the nursery attendant for its watering needs. For the majority of plants, the soil should be kept just moist, not soggy, throughout the growing season, which is April - September. Water less in winter, as plants grow more slowly, if at all. Stick your finger into the soil and feel whether it's dry or not. Many times the top of the soil looks dry, but it's still moist below. Most people tend to overwater their plants, drowning the roots. Try to water the soil, not the leaves. Wet leaves lead to disease and rot. Another way to water is to place the entire bottom of the pot in a bowl of water and allow the plant to take water up thru the drainage hole. Leave the pot sit in the bowl of water for 20-30 minutes. This method is especially good for fleshy stemmed plants as it helps to keep the stems (and leaves) dry.

HUMIDITY

Some plants need a higher humidity level than others, especially in winter when the air is drier. A good way to "humidify" your plants is to place it on a tray of pebbles and fill the tray with water. Check the tray every week and add more water when necessary. This helps to add humidity in the air surrounding the plant. Some plants even like their leaves to be misted. Check the tag or even look up your plant on the internet to find out any "special" needs.

FERTILIZING

The easiest way to fertilize your houseplants is with a liquid fertilizer, which is usually a concentrate. Follow the label, as these need to be diluted and often you may only want to use it at half strength. Never fertilize a dry plant - always water first, then add water/fertilizer mixture. You can actually overfeed a plant and easily kill it. They only need feeding during the growing season, which is generally spring to fall, when light levels are higher. In winter, most plants don't need any fertilizer at all, although plants that bloom in winter may need to be fed thru their flowering season. As a general rule, the faster the growth habit of the plant, the more often it will need feeding - every 2-3 weeks as a rule of thumb, but always check the plant tag and fertilizer label instructions. Also, as a rule of thumb, use a fertilizer that's labeled as a houseplant fertilizer.

CONTAINERS

There is an endless array of containers that can be used for your houseplants. The most important thing to remember is your plant will need sufficient drainage. Pots that have drainage holes and even drip trays attached work best. But most houseplants are set inside beautiful decorative cache pots. These cache pots or "cover" pots have no drainage. You can supply drainage to these by planting a pot within a pot. Plants in their original plastic pot can be "placed" into more decorative containers. If there's sufficient height to the "cover" pot, put a layer of gravel on the bottom to keep the plants "feet" out of any standing water. This helps also to humidify the plant, but be sure water doesn't collect around the roots and cause root rot. If the "cover" pot isn't tall enough to be able to add a level of gravel, take the plant out of the container, water it in the sink and let it sit until it stops draining before replacing it in the "cover" pot. Take a look around your home/office - there are many items that can be used as containers - a coffee mug, a pretty bowl, even an old shoe! It's a great way to add "personality" to your home/office space! You can also display several pots as a grouping, arranging them in a larger container that holds them all. Again, be sure there is sufficient drainage, lining the bottom with a layer of gravel. Keep each plant in their individual plastic pot, arrange them the way you like and use peat moss to cover the open spaces between them. Whether a single plant or a group of plants, you'll enjoy beautiful greenery and cleaner air in your home/office environment!