 |
 |
|
| Bringing Nature Indoors: Using
Plants to Enhance and Cleanse your Home |
| |
| During the cool winter months we tend to spend
more time indoors and can often feel disconnected to nature. Houseplants
are a great way to combat the “winter blues” by bringing
the outdoors inside. In Feng Shui, plants create harmony in our environment
by uplifting and circulating the energy. A healthy plant is a beautiful
reminder of nature and enhances any area of your home. |
| |
| In addition to being beautiful and attracting
energy, plants may also clean the air we breathe. A drawback to cooler
weather is that we are less likely to open our windows and the air
in our homes becomes stagnant and unhealthy. Indoor air pollutants
can cause asthma, fatigue, respiratory problems and headaches. Formaldehyde,
found in household items such as draperies, mattress ticking, particleboard,
fabrics and permanent press clothing, is an example of a common indoor
air pollutant. Some plants may actually remove pollutants from the
air. Plants are also believed to reduce the harmful effects of electromagnetic
fields that emanate from appliances and computers and are therefore
excellent additions to kitchens and offices. |
| |
| According to scientist Dr. B.C Wolverton, author
of How to Grow Fresh Air, the following houseplants help
remove indoor air pollutants: |
| |
| Medium to Low Light: |
Medium to High light: |
Flowering Plants – Full sun |
Peace Lily
Dracaena (Janet Craig)
Corn Plant
English Ivy
|
Rubber Plant
Bamboo Palm
Areca Palm
Boston Fern
|
Gerbera Daisy
Wax Begonia
|
|
| |
Suggested Reading for more information:
How
to Grow Fresh Air: 50 Houseplants that Purify your Home or Office
by Dr. B.C. Wolverton, Penguin Books |
| |
© 2004 Laura Forbes Carlin and Alison Forbes
The Art of Everyday Living® |
| |
 |
| |
| |
| |
