Interior Plants and Air Pollutants

7/27/2019 Interior Plants and Air Pollutants

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INTERIOR PLANTS

IMPROVING AIR QUALITY

It is sprawling, and not at a particularly slow pace. Like the blob it is spreading anddeveloping and it has reached suburbia. Growth over the past 10 years of the

Metropolitan Atlanta Area has reached our county and changed the face of our streets andneighborhoods. Smyrna is now considered Smyrma-Vinings. Marietta is nowconsidered a convenient commute to downtown Atlanta. Atlanta is traveling Atlanta

Road North and the evidence can be seen everywhere. It brings with it more business,

convenience, upgrades and neighborhoods. On the other side of the coin we see moretraffic, pollutants and loss of trees. If you are one of the many that make the drive to

downtown Atlanta, you will see the city long before you reach Fulton County.

Each morning, included along with the weather conditions, we receive a smog rating.

And this year, due to the extended drought and wildfires in southern Georgia, we

encountered additional headaches for those with breathing problems.

We all know that plants produce oxygen and remove pollutants from our air. Add some

shrubbery or trees to your yard. Any additional plants will enhance the outdoor

environment esthetically and improve air quality. Equally important is the air qualityinside your home.

NASA studies determined that indoor plants in a closed, controlled environment, throughtheir foliage and roots, removed low level pollutants. Through photosyntheses and

evapotranspiration (a natural plant process) air is filtered through the plant, cleaned,

cooled and released back into the environment.

But how many plants and what kind do I need? you may ask. NASA studies suggestedthe use of 15-18 plants (at least 6-8 diameter pots-table top size) will improve air

quality in an average 1,800 square foot home. Floor plants of 3 or more (10+ diameterpots) will increase these positive effects on your inside environment.

Interior plants are not as hard to maintain as you may think. Only a few minutes eachweek will satisfy your plant requirements. It is suggested you check and water your

plants weekly, if needed. Your most important tool is your finger. It is through touching

the soil that you will determine water needs. All plants do not need water weekly butshould be checked and rotated to maintain their shape. Simply stick your finger into the

soil to test and add water, if necessary. Most plants like to stay uniformly moist. This

means when your finger goes into the soil, it is moist to the touch some soil sticks to yourfinger. Some plants like to dry out in between watering. Again, check the soil and letcommon sense be your guide. If you are under watering or over watering, the plant will

let you know by yellowing or wilting. Most plants will forgive your mistakes as you

develop and adjust your techniques. Interior plants do require fertilizer (Peters orMiracle Gro) from spring until winter. An easy rule to follow is to begin fertilization

after Easter and suspend use at Thanksgiving. Professionals prefer to add fertilizer a little

each time the plants are watered as opposed to a full dose once per month.


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Interior plants rarely require repotting. In some cases, and a perfect environment, they

will grow, but the process is slow. It is recommended you purchase plants the size youwould like and maintain them well, rather than buy smaller plants and wait for them to

grow into your space. It is also important to note that many retailers purchase large

quantities of plants at a discounted rate. Many of these are sun grown. This means they

have been developed quickly under the tropical sun of a Florida field. This buying powermakes the plants more affordable to the public. However, you may note a term of

acclimation as your plants adjust to your interior environment. This may include yellowleaves and dropping of leaves. After a few weeks this adjustment should decrease and

eventually stop.

When purchasing a plant it is necessary for the plant to be transported to its new home

carefully. Temperature extremes and air movement are important. Transporting an

interior plant in the back of a truck for example, will cause damage or death of the plant.

Tropical plants are unable to survive temperature extremes, excessive wind and otherenvironmental factors.

Listed below are just a few plants frequently used by professional interiorscapers. Thesetried and true species are just a sample of the many plants that are available in the

interiorscape market.

HIGH LIGHT PLANT

ENGLISH IVY Hedera Helix

This plant is usually used as a desk top or

table top plant and should be placed where it

will receive some direct sun or very bright

indirect sun for much of the day. Take care

to check this plant and water weekly if

needed. It is susceptible to spider mites and

should be inspected and treated if an

outbreak occurs.

HIGH LIGHT HOUSE PLANT

FICUS Ficus lyrata

This is only one variety of the Ficus family.

Others include Ficus Alii, Ficus Amstel King

and the familiar Ficus Benjamina. These

plants require direct sun for at least part of

the day and bright, indirect sun for the

remainder of the day. Be sure to check this

plant weekly as it has an extensive root

system and does not like to dry out

completely.


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MEDIUM LIGHT PLANT

SPLIT LEAF PHILODENDRON

Philodendron scandens

Most Philodendron varieties can take

moderate light. This indicates good, indirect

light for most of the day. It is a hearty and

durable plant. One treat you can enjoy is

cutting a leaf now and again for a

contemporary flower vase. Although this

plant requires a little space, it is worth the

sacrifice. It should be checked weekly and

likes to dr between waterin .

MEDIUM LIGHT PLANT

SPIDER PLANT Chlorophytum

comosum This familiar plant can often be

seen hanging in front of a bright kitchen

window. It is happy with bright, indirect

light. There are two well-known varieties,

the variegated (shown left) and the solid

green. The spiders seen shooting out ofthe foliage can be removed, placed in soil

and soon you will have another plant to

share with a friend. This plant likes to dry

out in between watering.

HIGH LIGHT PLANT

ARECA PALM Chrysalidocarpus

lutescens

This elegant palm is frequently used to

frame a dining room or entranceway. The

Areca requires direct sun for part of the day

and bright conditions throughout the daylight

hours. As with any palm, preventative

spraying for spider mites will help it

maintain a deep green color and help

eliminate brown tips. This plant should be

checked weekl and watered as needed.


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LOW LIGHT PLANT

JANET CRAIG Dracanea deremensis

This plant is great for low light. Of course,

all plants need some light, but regular

lighting without windows will maintain this

plant. Check it weekly and water only if

needed. Too much water will cause the tips

of the leaves to brown. If this occurs, the

leaves may be trimmed to a natural shape.

LOW LIGHT PLANT

CAST IRON PLANT Aspidistra elaior

Previously recognized as something from

your grandmothers house, the Aspidistra is

making a come-back. It is almost a no worry

choice, and with minimal care and water, it

will perform well in your home. It has also

become popular in Georgia landscapes where

it is evergreen and can create a

wonderful border for your shade perennials.

MEDIUM TO LOW LIGHT PLANT

DRAGON TREE Dracanea marginata

The Marginata is a member of the Dracanea

family which includes the Corn Plant, Janet

Craig and a host of tried and true interior

plants. It requires some indirect light or

interior lighting for most of the day to

perform well. Try not to over water this

plant. Removing some of the lower foliage

can give this plant a contemporary look.


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LOW LIGHT PLANT

SNAKE PLANT Sansevieria trifasciataIf you want plants that can stay in minimal

light and require minimal attention, this is the

plant for you. Its upright growing habit

affords you the ability to use it in narrow

spaces and extremely low light conditions. It

requires little water and could go several

weeks between drinks. Again, this is an old

favorite making a come back. In the

appropriate container it provides a very

hi h-st le look.

MEDIUM TO LOW LIGHT PLANT

KENTIA PALM Howea forsterana

This elegant palm is a great addition to any

dcor. It is one of he few palms that does not

require direct sunlight. The Kentia can

maintain its beauty under interior light levels.

Just be sure to leave the shades up during the

day or provide artificial light for 8 hours. As

for plant maintenance, check it once per week

and keep it on the dry side.

LOW LIGHT PLANT

PEACE LILY Spathyphillum

The Peace Lily is known for its deep green,

broad foliage and white, lily like flowers.

It is primarily a foliage plant, but does

bloom occasionally. This plant can take

low light conditions with no natural lightand minimal interior light. This one is

forgiving and will droop should you forget

to water it. A good drink and usually it

will return to its previous upright position.


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Dont be afraid to add a few plants just because you may think you are not good withplants. They actually enjoy some neglect as opposed to over-tending. Not only will the

air inside your home be better, but you will find they enhance your dcor and improve

your mood.

Emily HarperProgram Assistant

Cobb Extension

Information Source & Photo Credits:

horticulture.tamu.edu

Cobb County Cooperative Extension Service

678 South Cobb Drive, Suite 200

Marietta, GA 30060-3105

Phone: 770-528-4070 Fax: 770 528-4086

Email: [email protected] Website: www.cobbextension.com

The contents and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of nor are they

endorsed by the University of Georgia or the University System of Georgia

Interior Plants and Air Pollutants

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