lead: Indoor green sanitisers

STRAP: Indoor air can be more toxic than what we think, but certain plants can help in getting rid of these toxins and improve the quality of air

Amarjeet Singh Batth/Greenhouse

The coronavirus pandemic has once again drawn our attention to maintaining personal hygiene. Everyone is being asked to stay indoors to refrain from catching the infection and spreading it further. Apart from sanitising ourselves and our homes, there is a need to ‘sanitise’ the air we breathe too, especially indoors.

There are certain misconceptions involved that the air is only polluted outside and hence, we fail to apprehend the true threats of indoor air, which can be more polluted than what we think.

We often believe that once we enter our homes or living rooms, the air is fresh and pure. But that’s not the case. The airtight rooms do not replenish fresh air. Not only this, the outside air travels inside resulting in many health hazards after reacting with cooking and paint-solvent emissions.

To improve the air quality inside, one can place certain plants that not only release oxygen, but absorb toxic air as well. Merely placing these plants inside cannot guarantee pure air, but the quality can definitely improve.

Anthuriums

Anthuriums are herbaceous epiphytes and are grown for their attractive red, heart-shaped flowering bracts. The leaves are big, beautifully coloured, borne on long stalks. The flowering stalk is slender. Use a peat moss base for the pot mixture. Keep in a good light, but not in direct sunlight. In between, water regularly during intervals. Add light fertiliser every second month. Be careful of temperature fluctuations. During winter, it goes for a short dormancy. It has good capability to absorb benzene, toluene, octane and trichloroethylene.

Asparagus fern

Also known as asparagus densiflorus sparagus, it is an evergreen plant with ostentatious green foliage. It grows well in low light or under shade.

Boston ferns

Boston ferns, or nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’, are evergreen in nature and require indirect light. They do not tolerate extreme cold and low temperature. Care is required to maintain humidity and moisture levels, but do not overwater. These plants remove benzene and xylene. It removes much more formaldehyde than any other plant.

Dracaena deremensis

Dracaena deremensisis one of the best houseplants that grow best in bright, indirect sunlight. These grow equally well in less light with slow growth. They contribute to removing trichloroethylene.

Peace lily

Spathiphyllum orpeace lily is an impressive plant with beautiful contrast of dark green foliage and creamy white flowers looking like white flags, symbolising peace. It prefers low light conditions and humidity, as it has a high transpiration rate that humidifies the air. It is also simple to maintain and the best to remove formaldehyde, benzene and certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are emitted by paints and harsh cleaning products. The leaves are poisonous for pets and children both.

English Ivy

Hedera helixor English Ivy is also an effective formaldehyde remover. It grows well in both sunlight and shade. It is quite easy-to-care plant that requires frequent irrigation only. Do not ingest leaves as these are poisonous.

Palms

Palms, especially areca palm (dypsis lutescens), date palm (Phoenix roebelenii), bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) and rhapis palm (rhrapis excelsa) are easy to maintain with no extra care other than routine gardening operations. These remove indoor air pollutants, specifically formaldehyde.

Weeping fig

Ficus benjaminais commonly known as weeping fig. It grows very tall in natural conditions outdoors but can be potted inside as well. It is almost maintenance-free and absorbs toxins, including formaldehyde, xylene and toluene.

Rubber plant

Also known asficus elastic, it can survive in low light, adding aesthetically pleasing effect indoors. It is an excellent formaldehyde remover, especially in offices where furniture is made from particleboard or plywood.

Spider plant

Spider plant, orchlorophytum comosum,is a safe houseplant mostly used in hanging baskets and pots indoors. It battles benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene, a solvent used in leather, rubber and printing industries.

Snake plant

Dracaena trifasciata is commonly known as snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue. It is an evergreen perennial plant with dense stands. Its stiff leaves grow vertically and the mature leaves turn dark green with light fray cross-bands. It can withstand drought conditions and can be seen in public parks or neglected places. Avoid bright light, but plant does survive under low light as well. Irrigate less during winter and just keep the soil moist. Wipe the leaves with damp cloth to clear it of dust. It removes toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and nitrogen oxides.

Elephant ear

Philodendron domesticum or Elephant ear has long, arrow-shaped leaves and prefers warm, moist and indirect light, which makes it perfect for indoors. The plant has quality to absorb formaldehyde.

Money plant

Epipremnum aureumor money plant is an evergreen vine with decorative foliage. Low maintenance makes it more popular among many. This plant removes various emissions including formaldehyde, xylene and benzene.