NASA recommends one plant every 100 square feet – which is about 9.2 square metres. In a home of about 1800 square feet in size (roughly 167 square metres), NASA recommends 15-18 houseplants.
The study suggests that at least one plant per 100 square feet can effectively clean the air, so fill your space with these eight detoxifying plants, handpicked by NASA, to purify the air in your home.
In their study, named “Potted plants do not improve indoor air quality: a review and analysis of reported VOC removal efficiencies,” researchers found that to achieve the same benefits seen in other research studies, you would need 10-1,000 plants per square meter of floor space in your home, office or other indoor ...
Although it is difficult to say exactly how many plants are needed to purify indoor air, Wolverton recommends at least two good sized plants for every 100 square feet (approximately 9.3 square meters) of indoor space. The bigger the plant and leafier the plant, the better.
English Ivy is exceptional at purifying air, removing 78% of airborne mold in 12 hours. Its dense foliage traps moisture and absorbs mold spores and other airborne toxins, making it an ideal choice for improving indoor air quality and alleviating allergy symptoms.
The peepal tree is a tree that gives oxygen for 24 hours. It is also known as the bo or bodhi tree and belongs to the same genus as neem trees. The peepal grows up to 15 m tall and has grey bark on its branches. It's native to India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka but is now found throughout Southeast Asia.
Some people worry that plants in the bedroom will cause carbon dioxide (CO2) poisoning, but this is an urban myth. It's true that when you turn off the light, the plant no longer has a source of energy, and so photosynthesis stops.
I have realised I need to be a plant grower, not a plant collector. All this reminded me that, contrary to many a social media post, you absolutely CAN have too many plants: your ideal number may be one, one hundred or one thousand, depending on your situation and skills. And this number will change over time.
The impact of different VOCs was inconsistent across studies, as was the performance of different plant species. But they said that in 196 experiments, plants were able to clean an average of 0.062 cubic meters of air per plant per hour, which is only about 13% of the half a cubic meter we breathe at the same time.
Common houseplant pests
Several other pests can be attracted to houseplants, including aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, fungus gnats, scale insects, and whiteflies.
Spider plants, orchids and leafy palms can all help to remove mould spores in the home. From the bathroom to the kitchen, any room that suffers from humidity, dampness, mildew or mould could benefit from one of these clever houseplants.
Moreover, the absorption rate for carbon dioxide also changes at different temperatures. According to scientists, one leaf produces around five millilitres of oxygen per hour. So, it will need around 300-500 plants to provide oxygen to one person.
“Studies have shown that indoor plants can improve focus, decrease depressive moods and lessen symptoms of anxiety,” says Garvey.
Ornamental houseplants can beautifully enhance the look and feel of a home. But if they are unhealthy, neglected, too large, too numerous, too spiky, or too droopy, they can affect the energy of a space adversely, and can become clutter, just as anything else you own can.
1.The NASA Study Recommends
Although it's impossible to say how many plants are required to filter interior air, Wolverton suggests at least two large plants for every 100 square feet (about 9.3 square metres) of indoor area. The larger and more leafy the plant, the better.
Not only do indoor plants enhance the overall appearance of a space, but studies show they boost moods, increase creativity, reduce stress, and eliminate air pollutants—making for a healthier, happier you. Indoor plants don't just look good—they can make us feel good, too.
Is it true that plants release CO2 during night and that I should not have one in my room? You are correct, plants do release carbon dioxide (CO2) at night, although they also release CO2 during the day. This is a part of the process of respiration!
Any indoor soil, however, in time will become depleted of nutrients and develop a build-up of salts. Unless these salts are washed out of the soil once or twice a year and the soil is replaced every 1-3 years, plants can become stunted and loose vigor. Brown edges on leaves can be a sign of salt build-up.
Pothos is the best indoor plant for oxygen because of its high rate of conversion.
With their spiky, sculptural leaves and low-key requirements, snake plants are one of the least demanding plants you can grow indoors.
The Holy Basil or Tulsi Plant is not only beneficial for your skin and health but it also provides oxygen all night long. These plants are mostly planted in open spaces, while they are also fit to survive indoors. A Tulsi Plant can provide oxygen for 20 to 24 hours in a day.