Nature Nurtures

Nature Nurtures

by SweisKloss
April 9, 2020

Everyone knows about the benefits of having indoor plants—they release oxygen into the air and absorb carbon dioxide. But for many people, it is the simple joy of having them and caring for them. Evidenced by how much we water, feed, and sun (or not) them. We at SweisKloss appreciate the way they bring the outdoors inside and add color to a space. But did you know there are some plants that are better than others in helping to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs)? When SweisKloss went through the process of becoming a certified green business, we learned about such plants. A study by the University of Georgia published in HortScience conducted tests on 28 species of indoor ornamental plants and their ability to remove harmful VOCs from indoor air, a process called phytoremediation. These plants were rated as superior:

• Purple Waffle Plant (Hemigraphis alternata)
• English Ivy (Hedera helix)
• Variegated Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa)
• Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus)
• Purple Heart Plant (Tradescantia pallida)

Any leafy plant is adept at purifying indoor air. If you are looking for more variety, we also suggest Peace Lily, Areca Palms, Golden Pathos, Snake Plants, Aloe Vera, and Red Emerald Philodendron. According to the state of California, nurseries are considered essential businesses during the stay-at-home order. And many of your favorite nurseries in the Los Angeles area are offering online purchasing and delivery or curbside pickup. Getting some new plants will help purify the air in your home, aesthetically enhance your space, and simultaneously support a local business. Win-win and win. So as we continue to shelter in place, keep taking deep breaths…it’ll make you feel better.