Purifying with Plants

Originally published in the Spring 2020 issue of SPOKE+BLOSSOM.

Clean breathing means a clearer mind and better sleep. Tap into nature’s healing channels by bringing air-filtering houseplants into your living space.

NASA’s famous 1989 Clean Air Study calls out known carcinogens in the air we breathe — pollutants that include benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene found in carpets and furniture. They recommend an air-purifying plant placed every 100 square feet to cleanse home and work spaces of airborne toxins, dusts and germs.

A closer look at these toxins reveals some scary, negative health effects: benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, headaches and confusion, while formaldehyde irritates the nose, mouth and throat. Perhaps the most menacing, trichloroethylene can spur headaches, nausea and vomiting.

Fortunately, relief is accessible with an easy trip to your local greenhouse or garden center. The NASA study named several no-fuss plants that naturally filter out the nasty stuff and easily grow indoors. Using popular houseplants to convert carbon dioxide and toxins into fresh oxygen — it’s a good housekeeping no-brainer.

Here, president of Mountain Greenery Plantscapes Inc. in Basalt, Jillian Kops, helps us choose the right purifying potted plants.

Call on Mountain Greenery in Basalt for plants sourced from their garden boutique, along with indoor and outdoor gardening services. The family-owned Roaring Fork Valley nursery prides itself on a wealth of healthy annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees and exotics. Find them at 185 Southside Drive, Basalt, or mtngreenplants.com.

Philodendron

This dark green heart- leafed plant is easygoing and virtually pest free. Philodendrons have low light and low water requirements, but can be toxic to pets and small children, if eaten.

Peace Lily

Beautiful white calla-like blooms stretch on tall green stems in this decorators’ favorite. Peace lilies are master air-sterilizers and crave medium to high light and high moisture.

Chinese Evergreen

An excellent beginner plant, this sturdy tropical beauty cleanses formaldehyde and benzene found in detergents and cosmetics and does well in low to medium light and humid conditions — perfect for bathrooms.

Bamboo Palm

Tall and exotic, bamboo palms (also called reed palms) can reach heights of five to seven feet. The purifying plant pumps moisture into the air and requires medium light and moist soil. Palms can be susceptible to spider mites. Fight them off with a spray bottle of biodegradable liquid soap and water.

Snake Plant

The laid-back snake plant — sometimes called mother-in- law tongue — absorbs toxins through its vibrant, sword- like leaves. It thrives with very little water and low light and is insect resistant, making for a wonderful low-maintenance apartment roommate.