How surrounding ourselves with plants can help to make us smile and bring out the happiness!
With Plants Comes Happiness
These days, people spend a lot of time indoors at home or work, or in traffic away from green spaces. Air conditioning, improved insulation, and energy-saving measures all reduce air exchange, which can lead to health problems. We are breathing the same air over and over; but in cities and on busy roads, we are unlikely to want to bring ‘fresh air’ inside anyway. In addition, modern synthetic furnishings, computers and electrical equipment, and everyday household products such as cleaning material, emit various harmful gases in small quantities which all contribute to the recognized “sick building syndrome”
The simple addition of a few houseplants in your home or office can do a great deal to boost your health and well-being. Plants live in harmony with humans – we give plants carbon dioxide when we breathe out, and they give us oxygen through transpiration. Indoor plants boost oxygen levels and reduce air temperatures, as well as raising humidity, making it easier to breathe, which makes for happier moods.
Whether in the home or workplace, placing a plant nearby will improve air quality, reduce temperatures and make people feel happier. It brings the following benefits:
- Anxiety levels are lowered
- People recover from mental tiredness faster
- Interiors feel spacious, looked after and clean
- People occupy rooms more when plants are there
- People perceive interiors as “more expensive” looking.
Here’s the scientific bit…
During the early 1970s, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) discovered that the air inside Sky Lab 3 was contaminated with more than 100 toxic substances. NASA needed a way to ensure clean air in its spacecraft. So they put environmental engineer Bill Wolverton, PhD, to the task. After much research, he found a simple, natural answer: plants.
Dr. Wolverton knew that plants recycle oxygen, so he placed different plants in sealed chambers into which he injected common indoor air pollutants, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene, to see if the plants would break down the toxins. He didn’t have to wait long. Within 24 hours, Boston fern, dracaena, Ficus benjamina (rubber plant), and chrysanthemum eliminated up to 90% of the poisons in the chambers.
Which Plants Work Best?
Dozens of plants are effective at removing pollutants from indoor air. The plants absorb the chemicals through tiny holes in their leaves, and bacteria in the roots break down the pollutants, which are then used by the plant as food. Not only are plants excellent recyclers, but they also get better with time.
“The longer a plant is exposed to certain chemicals, the more effective it becomes at removing them,” says Dr. Wolverton. Below is a list of the most effective plants for removing common indoor air pollutants, such as formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Plants in the palm family are the best at removing volatile organic compounds from indoor air.
Plants for health include:
- Bamboo palm
- Chinese evergreen
- English ivy
- Chrysanthemum
- Corn plant (a type of Dracaena)
- Dieffenbachia
- Mother-in-law’s tongue
- Janet Craig (a type of Dracaena)
- Peace lily
- Marginata (a type of Dracaena)
- Spider plant
- Warneckii (a type of Dracaena)
- Golden pathos
- Wandering Jew
- Rubber plant.
Two potted plants per 100 square feet of floor space will help clean and freshen the air in a home. Dr. Wolverton suggests placing a plant within your “personal breathing zone” a space six to eight cubic feet around where you work at your computer, watch television, or sleep. Placing several inches of aquarium gravel over the soil in the plant container will help prevent the formation of mold, a common allergen.
So, if you want to enhance your living space, your happiness and make it look better, and feel better using plants could be the way forward!
I do not have a green thumb, so anyone that can give me some tips for keeping these beautiful plants alive, so I can keep up my happiness and feed you with good happy information it would be appreciated. (And don’t tell me to talk to them, because then they die faster.) Would appreciate it if you would leave those tips in the comment space below.
Debbie
Twitter: http://leapofaction.com
says:
Funny how your “Hi all you beautiful people and new friends” post should land on my desk – the “land on my desk” expression ages me, I know – just as me and my beautiful girlfriend are back from a day at Atlanta’s Botanical Gardens and its new and spectacular canopy walk. Our intensive first-hand experience of the happy-making quality of plants confirms your post 200% (for a nice round number). I didn’t know there was a ranking for “best at removing volatile organic compounds from indoor air” plants! Sandy and I will get ourselves at least one of these personal breathing zone plants on our next trip to the garden center – so thanks for bringing the information to us!
PS. “Green thumb” tip: surround yourself with happy plants in a way similar to surrounding yourself with happy people. Draw up your list of “happy plant” characteristics and only let plants into your house that meet your criteria 50% or better.
.-= Beat Schindler´s last blog ..What A Babyful World =-.
Hi Beat,
Thanks for the tip. I shall try that. It would be nice if I could keep plants alive. I have one plant and I put it into water and it does great. It gets big enough so I plant it and then it is down hill again, so I cut of some parts and put them back in water and they do great. Right now I have it sitting in a vase with water and it has so many roots that I am going to have to break the vase to get it out to plant. Wish me luck. In the mean time i shall make a list of “happy Plants” and get them and go from there. Thanks again.
Debbie
Twitter: raymond8
says:
Great tips, Debbie.
I have added it in to my to-do-list.
Thank you for the healthy information.
.-= Raymond Chua´s last blog ..The Science of Getting Rich =-.
You are very welcome Raymond. Let me know how your planting is going. Does make a lot of sense when it comes to plants being good for you!
Have a very happy day and enjoy that to-do-list.
Debbie
This is a great post! Plants really do make you feel happier. This year for the first time, I’ve been doing my garden properly. I got a greenhouse and dug a vegetable patch, and now I’m sitting back watching incredible things happen. Taking a few minutes every day to tend to the garden is definitely making me a calmer, happier person. It’s addictive!
Debbie, to keep your plants alive indoors, make sure they are near a good source of light, water them (but not more than once a week), feed them well in spring and repot them once a year. Dust the leaves or pop them under a cold shower now and then to make sure they can breathe properly. And…talk to them! Maybe you’re saying the wrong things? Telling herbs they’re going to get eaten if they don’t perform doesn’t work. I prefer singing to them. My plants seem to like Queen songs
.-= Jen @ blog writer´s last blog ..On seeing a fantastic play… =-.
Good tips Jen, thank you. Now really I wouldn’t tell the herbs that I am going to eat them, but that was really good, LOL
I’ll take my list and try one plant at a time and see which ones work. Oh by the way I have trouble with them getting little bugs too. Then it is all over with. I do have a new flower garden outside this year, hope it stays alive.
thanks for the good tips, maybe with everyone’s help I can learn to grow plants indoors.
Debbie
Twitter: andrewrondeau
says:
I do like LOOKING at plants and flowers but I don’t like gardening much! My wife and I decided to hire a gardener about a year ago and it’s great.
He knows what he is doing – we don’t.
He knows what to plant, cut down or pull out – we don’t.
He takes just a few hours a few times a year – we’d take all day many times a year.
My gardener and the results he produces makes me happy!
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Internal Links: Make It Easy With This WordPress Plugin =-.
I know what you mean Andrew. My neighbor is really good with plant. Took out some rock in our yard and made a flower garden. I took the neighbor with me to the flower shop so she could help me pick out the plants that maybe I wouldn’t destroy. Ones that just need water. So fare so good. Did have to cover them a few nights because of cold weather here, but that worked. Gardener would be good. Hubby is good with taking care of the yard, but not so much the flowers either.
Debbie
Great idea. I have simplified by life alot but actually these were added in and I lke them. Had no real idea they helped me get and stay healthier. I was an ag major before I went into medicine. Most of the plants you list live well indoors. The key is taking them out once a year, and giving them some new soil with a little blackcow in the bottom. A little water and wipe off the leaves once in a while. Not much to it. You don’t want much grow anyway. Thanks for the info, that makes it more worth while.
.-= Bruce “the Mid-Life Mentor”´s last blog ..How to Care for Your Brain during Menopause =-.
Hi Bruce,
Until I started doing some research on this I didn’t realize just how important plants were to our healthy and happiness. Now that I have all these good tips from you wonderful people and a list of plants I think I better get busy and get me some. My plastic ones are starting to look a little rugged. I don’t like the looks of spider plants though, so there off the list.
I will remember to take them outside in the summer for a while.
Thanks Bruce and you have a happy day,
Debbie
I’m not so great with inside plants. I have them, but I get busy and forget. My outside garden though is spectacular with flowers and veggie growing all season. I don’t spend a lot of time, but a few minutes a day is all it takes and brings my lots of joy. And Happiness. oh, and I talk to them too.
Hi Michelle,
I am glad that talking to them works for you. Guess they don’t like the sound of my voice. Only thing I can think of. Veggie’s are good. I have a daughter that we get our veggie’s from in the summer and fall. Her and her hubby always plant a big garden. I wouldn’t mind having a garden, but don’t have the space for on. Enjoy those flower and may they always help bring on happiness for you.
Debbie
Twitter: blogtechguy
says:
We had to get rid of the plants in my office as the cat kept trying to eat them and they’re poisonous to her. I’ve forgiven her as she’s curled up on my lap right now (cats give happiness too apparently), but I do miss the greenery in here as I agree with you.
.-= Joel´s last blog ..Podcast: How Income Blogging Guide Can Help You With Debbie Bills =-.
The cat is much more important to keep around then the plants. And you are right cats do give lots of happiness. When I had my cat if I didn’t wake up in the morning at my usually time he would come in to wake me. It was really neat. Miss that cat. Thanks Joel and you keep that happiness going and keep those plant from the cat.
Have a wonder holiday weekend.
Debbie
My Condo’s exterior walls are all glass and we have a balcony and we have plenty of plants. We have an herb garden and have even tried growing tomatoes but we got a grand total up three up here on the 39th floor
.-= Mitch´s last blog ..Boston Celtics Vs. Orlando Magic 05/28/10: Dan’s Free Pick Against The Spread NBA Playoffs =-.
Hi Mitch,
How many floor in your building? At least up their on the 30th floor they are going to get some great sunlight. Thank you for sharing. I am picturing now. You’ll have to put some picture on your blog to see.
may you always be happy sitting on your balcony with your plants. Really though be happy everyday and all day. Wishing we much happiness.
Debbie
Twitter: greatconfidence
says:
Interesting post, whilst I would have always agreed that plants can improve an indoor environment I did not realise there was so much depth to this argument. My fingers are far from green, but its never too late to start learning and benefiting from plants.
.-= David Rogers@self confidence´s last blog ..Time for Change =-.
David, I know how you feel, because my finger are far from green. After doing this research thought I’ve decided I better give it a try also. I’ll see how my plant do outside and then work into the indoor plants slowly.
thanks for letting me know I am not alone when it comes to growing plants.
Debbie
Twitter: thatgirlisfunny
says:
Wow! I didn’t realize that indoor plants were so busy cleaning the air for us. I thought they were just there to be decorative and thirsty. Very interesting. I don’t keep many plants indoors because I don’t have strong sunny spots. I might have to look into some shade loving indoor plants now that I’ve read this information. An easy way to keep happy air flowing
.-= Cheryl@stay young´s last blog ..LoL! best funny facebook fan pages: Dear Pringles, I cannot fit my hand inside your tube of deliciousness. =-.
Hi Cheryl,
I am finding not all plants need a lot of sunshine. The spider plant can do good about anywhere you put it. I’m not a big fan of those thought. I really like hanging them in my sunny spots instead of sitting them some where. Have to work on finding the right ones for the floor.
Wonder how they would do in a persons workout area? If you have any info on that Cheryl let me know.
You have a great weekend
Debbie
What a “green” post! I’m so happy I have my succulents to keep my air clean!
Plants are so essential to make you happy and they are great for the environment!
Krizia
.-= Eat Smart Age Smart´s last blog ..The Healthy College Cookbook =-.
I take it that you you have lots of plants Krizia? What is you’re secret to a green thumb? If you have any more ideas for me I would love to hear them.
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
Having recently moved, I must plant out all my containers this week and add more houseplants. I am sure growing your receommnede plants are good for health. Taking pleasure in growing plants is so worthwhile. A great prompt. thank you. Oh, and i must start growing herbs as i only have mint. As a child, I enthusiastically grew vegetables and then sell them to parents… I now know what will make me happy. get in the garden now! thanks again Debbie
.-= Lance Nelson´s last blog ..YouTube Video: It’s Serious Fun For Travel Bloggers =-.
You are welcome Lance. Grew vegetables and then sold them to your parents. That is good. Let me know how your garden turns out. I like tomatoes and cucumbers the best.
Happy planting,
Debbie
A great post Debbie…
And it makes me want to give it another shot.
But I must confess, if killing plants is a crime, then I’m a multiple felon.
I don’t know what it is… my wife and I love orchids, but we’re not very good at keeping them alive.
I guess we’ll have to try again… plants are just too nice to not have in your home.
keep smiling,
Benjamin
.-= Benjamin@Online Free Self Hypnosis´s last blog ..Online Free Self Hypnosis – Slow =-.
I know what you mean, Ben. I have trouble keeping plants alive too. I keep trying thought. If I don’t give up you can’t.
I don’t have a green thumb, but I keep trying to dye it and maybe it will rub off on the plants. Sounds like a good idea for now.
Have fun and smiles are good, Thank Ben for your input,
Debbie
keep up the good work. I found your post very usefull. I bookmarked.
Thank you! I shall give it my best.
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
Great post and I’ve always loved seeing nature where plants at home would always keep me reminded. I’m not so sure if I’ve got a green thumb but girls are more keen to planting while I’m just happy seeing them growing, flowering and freshening my yards.
It would be better if we could see your house plants too Debbie! That might push more inspiration.
Thanks a lot,
Tyrone
.-= Tyrone´s last blog ..You Can Outsource GURU Blueprint And Here’s A Sneak Preview =-.
The one thing nice about house plants is that they are for all year around. I found that you just try one plant at a time if you don’t have a green thumb. This has worked for me, some of them grow real nice other I am not real good with. I’ll have to take some pictures of mine for you. Great idea Tyrone and thanks.
Have a very happy day.
Debbie
I enjoyed your article and the ideas provided. There are a ton of opinions out there that are both honest and not good. If you know of any more information concerning gardening or associated topics, that would be most appreciated. Keep up the quality writing!
Hi Geri,
When it comes to gardening I do know that the miracle grow really works wonders. So when first planting don’t forget to give those plants a good healthy start. Glad you enjoyed the article. Have a great day.
Debbie