Indoor Plants for Clean Air and Beauty
Having indoor plants is not a new idea – and it is a great one that contributes to both purifying the air you breathe and adds character and interest to the rooms they are placed in.
And, when you bring your garden indoors, you are able to continue your love of gardening in those winter months when snow and ice have closed up the outdoor opportunities.
Of course, if you live in a temperate zone, then you can have the best of both worlds (indoors and out) all year round.
Nowadays, with many people seeking ways to make their homes more eco-friendly, utilising the benefit of indoor plants is becoming part and parcel of their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.
And, the benefit, – one small step for a cleaner environment (and that’s not to be sneezed at) plus cleaner air to breathe and keep infections down.
Choosing Indoor Plants
The correct species is important and this includes:
Ones that will thrive in low or indirect light or have access to bright outdoor light through a window.
Ones that can cope with air-conditioning – heat and cool
Ones that can cope with drafts
Recommendations to Consider
Ficus (Ficus Benjamina)
This is a popular and fairly common indoor plant – because it is hardy.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema Modestum)
This is a good choice for spots with only reading level light as they thrive in low illumination. It’s foliage adds variety being of a silvery-gray and dark green.
Base your choices on the size you want for the spot you have in mind.
Most indoor plants require being kept moist and rarely like being left dried out. Having said that, the Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is one for those of you who neglect watering! This is because its fat trunk stores water – against the times you neglect it!
It does need high levels of light – even direct sunlight, and you actually should let it dry out between waterings – it will survive for months without watering.
These will also grow well indoors – but do check with your nursery first and consult about your conditions where the plants will be.
Dracaena
Fuschias
Geraniums
Impatiens
Star Jasmine
Ferns
African Violets
Herbs
The great thing also about being able to bring your garden indoors is for those who have little or no yard for a regular garden. It really just requires a different approach to plant care.
Light Supplementation
If you have difficulty finding an indoor spot with adequate light, consider a grow light – this will certainly help plants that need more light than others – such as herbs.
Tricks of the Trade
1. Avoid using cold water – as it may shock the plant
2. If your tap water has a lot of chemicals in it – use distilled water.
3. Always use organic pest control – or you undo the eco-friendly effort of having plants indoors
4. Know the plants water needs – avoid over-watering. Stick your finger in the soil and if it is still moist delay watering.
5. Use slow release fertilisers – this will save on over-fertilising.
6.Most indoor plants will prefer a moister atmosphere inside than we usually have because of the heating or A/C. Increase the humidity with light spraying.
7. Be ready to re-pot when the plants are fully grown or look like their roots are filling up the container.
8. Ventilate – while a draft is no good, so is still air – place them where they can get indirect fresh air or the air movement from ceiling fans.
