How Indoor Plants Can Help Us to Breathe Easier

Winter time is fast approaching and that means no more open windows- no more fresh air. Will you be one to break out air purifiers and place throughout your home or office? Or will you be one to take a lesson from B.C. Wolverton, author of 'How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 Houseplants That Purify Your Home or Office'?

Yes, you read that right, you can grow fresh air. How wonderful is that? And why do more of us not do so?

Air purifiers only trap particles whereas plants can absorb thereby destroying airborne impurities.

Three of his fifty recommended plants are:

Snake plant

This plant is practically indestructible, meaning anyone can grow it, even those with a black thumb. Snake plants remove toxins from rooms with no windows. A great basement or bathroom plant. If you work in a cubicle with limited sunlight, this plant will survive in your work space and help you to breathe better air.

Christmas cactus

The Christmas cactus gives off oxygen at night. Most plants only do so during daylight hours making this a wonderful plant to be in a family room or home office. If you work nights, this is the plant for you.

Rubber plant

This plant can be a dear family member as it works best at removing chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene and ammonia. It is also an amazing humidifier. This plant releases moisture into the air, making it easier to breathe as well as purifies the air, making the air we breathe cleaner.

Ferns

These plants also work at removing the chemicals formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia. Ferns come in a variety. Chose one that will best fit your home and personality.

House plants are cheaper and prettier than air purifiers. Less dust seems to accumulate in a home full of plants.

When a plant releases moisture into the air, negative ions are emitted. This is turn makes us feel better and even heal faster. Take a rubber plant to your friend or family member in the hospital, or even just to donate to some of the patients there. By helping a stranger heal, you are also helping yourself. If the holidays can be a stressful time for you, try growing fresh air at home and at work. Plants have been known to be wonderful stress reducers. What a way to improve mental health, by watching something grow that as we are helping along, is helping us.

No one expects you to turn your home into a nursery over night, start with one and see how it goes.

Prior to growing your own fresh air though, be sure that the plant you chose is not a danger to your pets.