While there are numerous things you can do to significantly prevent  indoor air pollution (we’ll cover that in another post), adding houseplants is something you can do today to reduce the pollution that currently exists in your home or office.

When they were handing out green thumbs, I was too engrossed in my enjoyment of a fine, handcrafted ale to pay attention. For those of you that know me, that should come as no surprise. I regret that now. The green thumb, not the ale.  I never regret a really good handcrafted ale….

I’ve decided to “grow” my green thumb as houseplants do more than add beauty to a space. Did you know they can filter out pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene and other VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) from the air? That’s a very good thing considering indoor air pollution can be up to 100 times worse than outdoor air. The folks over at the EPA have lots of other interesting stats. Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency ranks indoor air pollution as one of the top five threats to public health . Given the rise in asthma and other chemical sensitivity illnesses, and the fact that most of us spend 90% of our day indoors, it’s time to take the quality of the air we breathe seriously.

Dori and I focused on the benefits of houseplants this week in our podcast, More Hip Than Hippie.  We discovered that NASA has been studying common houseplants for over 2 years and finds them effective in reducing sick building syndrome.  While I was aware that houseplants are great at filtering out contaminants and adding oxygen back into the air, I had no idea that to be effective, the average 2,000 square foot home should have at least 15 plants placed throughout. My house is just under 2,000 square feet and I have a total of three plants – not counting the dead ficus tree I forgot about in the guest room. It’s time to get busy (and invite more guests!).

Where do I start?

I referenced a book,  recommended to me years ago, called How to Grow Fresh Air by Dr. B.C. Wolverton. It’s fantastic.  It explains the realities and dangers of indoor air pollution and covers how houseplants work to purify the air. Then it lists 50 houseplants both by their common and botanical names, their effectiveness at scrubbing the air, light requirements, potential pest problems, care tips (such as how much water to give, etc) and even if the plant is poisonous. As the owner of two curious labradors I double check with the ASPCA to be sure my choices are safe.

What about cost?  This is where you (and I) can get creative.

First, grab a small notebook dedicated to this project. Take a few moments to assess the lighting and temperature of your space. Do this over a few days to get a good feel for the amount of light your plants will get. Take into account the seasons and how that will affect placement of plants thoughout the year.

Review your supplies. Pots can be had dirt cheap at thrift stores and yard sales. Be sure to wash them in a  solution of one part bleach to nine parts water to kill all pathogens that could destroy your plants. Let pots air dry.  Look for saucers or other materials such as cork to place underneath your pots to prevent damage to your furniture.  I learned from experience – it cost me $20 to repair the nightstand I paid $5 for at a yard sale because I neglected to put a pad in between the pot and surface to prevent moisture from ruining my paint job.

Get yourself a moisture meter. These smart gadgets help you determine whether you are watering your plants too little or too much. They’re worth their weight in gold and only cost $7.  Get one.

When it comes to potting soil, organic is best. And don’t waste your money on promises of quick, vigorous growth. A quality, basic organic potting soil will do just fine. You’ll need to plan on fertilizing monthly as potted plants lose nutrients fast.  Look for a houseplant fertilizer that’s made from worm castings, or if you compost, you can use diluted compost tea. Your plants will love you.

Here’s where you can save money on plants – if you have a bit of patience. Sweetly ask your green thumb friends if you can have cuttings from their thriving plants. Most gardeners are thrilled to offer cuttings and many will even help you plant them and give you tips on helping them grow. Plants like Golden Pothos are perfect for this , as are Spider Plants. If you have no patience, keep an eye out for sales and opt for smaller versions in 4″-6″ pots which are invariably cheaper than their full size counterparts. There are so many fun plants you may find yourself in a quandry wondering which ones to bring home. Or, if you’re like me, you must pick up ones with the silly names such as Dumb Cane (is this a smart choice?) and Weeping fig (why is it sad?). I’m proud of my juevenile sense of humor. It keeps me young.

Build your air scrubbing army of foliage over time, learning as you go. I’ve decided to use Microsoft Outlook to remind myself to water my plants ( I even include locations of plants) as new habits can be challenging to acquire.  Remember – baby steps. Pretty soon you’ll be chatting with your plant-challenged friends, sharing your story of success and offering bits of advice (and free cuttings)  to help them to have fresh, clean air too.

What are your tips for growing healthy houseplants?

Tags: green, Houseplants, Indoor Air Pollution

This entry was posted on Friday, March 6th, 2009 at 2:38 pm and is filed under Green Living. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.