A Breath of Fresh Air: How Indoor Plants Can Improve Your Home's Air Quality

When we think about the benefits of plants, our minds often drift to the lush greenery decorating our surroundings. But there's more to those leaves than meets the eye. In this blog post, we'll explore how houseplants play a pivotal role in purifying the air we breathe, offering not just aesthetic appeal but a breath of fresh, clean air for your home.

The Urban Challenge: Indoor Living and Air Quality

As urbanization surges, an estimated 68% of the global population is expected to call cities home by 2050, up from the current 55%. (1) Alongside this urban shift comes a significant lifestyle change—urban dwellers now spend an average of 90% of their lives indoors. (2) This shift towards indoor living might bring comfort and convenience, but it also raises concerns about indoor air quality.

The Impact of Small Changes

In a world filled with pollution and environmental challenges, it's easy to underestimate the impact of small changes like adding a houseplant to your indoor environment. However, scientific studies have shown that even minor fluctuations in particulate pollution levels can substantially increase the risk of heart conditions and strokes on a day-to-day and even hour-to-hour basis.(3)

NASA's Green Discovery

You might be familiar with a remarkable study conducted by NASA, (4) which sheds light on the astounding impact of plants on air quality in space shuttle chambers. NASA's study focused on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), these chemical culprits are responsible for that overwhelming scent that engulfs you when you step into a nail salon or a construction site. These VOC particles can be harmful to our health, leading to various respiratory diseases.

The NASA study revealed that plants possess the ability to significantly decrease VOC levels in the air. Although, our homes are nothing like a space shuttle chamber. So while a houseplant can make a small change in these pollutants in your home, a quality air filter will be the most benefical for increasing your homes air quality. By reducing our exposure to VOCs, we can lower the risk of respiratory issues and breathe cleaner, healthier air.

Beyond VOCs: Tackling Common Household Pollutants

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are not the sole indoor pollutants that plants can help combat. Houseplants demonstrate an impressive ability to reduce indoor levels of other common culprits, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2).

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a common component of vehicle emissions, poses notable health risks, including respiratory problems and heart disease. To mitigate some of these adverse effects, consider incorporating leafy ferns or snake plants into your home environment. Plants with larger leaves or an abundance of leaves in relation to their size are adept at removing various household pollutants, including NO2. This is attributed to their enhanced rates of photosynthesis, transpiration, and overall air filtration capacity. (5)

In addition, the buildup of carbon dioxide (CO2) within enclosed spaces can lead to discomfort and a decline in cognitive function. To address this issue, consider introducing certain succulent plants into your indoor environment. Succulents are well-known for their efficient use of the CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) cycle, making them effective at reducing indoor CO2 levels (6). Some noteworthy CAM succulent options for enhancing indoor air quality include Aloe vera, Jade plant (Crassula ovata), and Echeveria.

The Mold Dilemma: Humidity Matters

While houseplants excel at purifying the air of certain pollutants, it's essential to note that they can also impact humidity levels. Houseplants release moisture through a process called transpiration, which can contribute to higher indoor humidity. In some environments, this elevated humidity can create conditions conducive to mold growth. Therefore, the effectiveness of houseplants in improving air quality depends on various factors, including the specific pollutants present and the existing humidity levels. In some cases, it's essential to strike a balance between enjoying the benefits of cleaner air and monitoring humidity to prevent potential mold issues.

Conclusion: The Green Solution for Cleaner Air

In conclusion, houseplants are not just delightful decor; they are natural air purifiers that can significantly enhance the quality of the air we breathe indoors. As our world becomes increasingly urbanized, and as we spend more time inside, the value of these green companions becomes all the more apparent. So, next time you admire your houseplants, know that they're not only adding a touch of nature to your home but also providing you with the gift of cleaner, healthier air—a precious commodity in our modern lives.

Sources

1. 68% of the world population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, says UN. (n.d.). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Retrieved October 15, 2023, from https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/news/population/2018-revision-of-world-urbanization-prospects.html

2. Indoor air quality. (2017, November 2). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/indoor-air-quality

3. Chen, R.-Y., Ho, K.-F., Hong, G.-B., & Chuang, K.-J. (2020). Houseplant, indoor air pollution, and cardiovascular effects among elderly subjects in Taipei, Taiwan. Science of The Total Environment, 705, 135770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135770

4. Wolverton, Johnson, Bounds NASA. (1989). Interior Landscape Plants For Indoor Air Pollution Abatment. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19930073077/downloads/19930073077.pdf

5. Gubb, C., Blanusa, T., Griffiths, A., & Pfrang, C. (2022). Potted plants can remove the pollutant nitrogen dioxide indoors. Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, 15(3), 479–490. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-022-01171-6

6. Raza, S. H., Shylaja, G., Murthy, M. S. R., & Bhagyalakshmi, O. (1991). The contribution of plants for CO2 removal from indoor air. Environment International, 17(4), 343–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-4120(91)90021-h