In the 1970’s scientists at the NASA John C. Stennis Space Center began experiments with plants in controlled environments such as would be found in extended space travel.
They found that units that were made entirely of synthetic materials had enough toxins in the air to make people sick — sick building syndrome.
Once plants were placed in the unit the amount of chemicals began to decrease as the plants took in the chemicals that were attached to the oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air.
During the day, plants intake carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. At night the roles are reversed. Plants intake 0xygen and give off carbon dioxide.
All air that is taken in through the plant’s leaves moves through the plants to the roots where it is added to the soil in a form of nitrogen and oxygen.
This in turn is converted to plant food by the microbes is the soil.
The study found that the chemicals given off by the synthetic materials were also taken and stored in the soil.
Microbes in the soil adapted to the new chemicals and started to break them down into components that were used by the plants.
The process of breaking down chemicals was quicker once the microbes adapted to the foreign chemicals.
While the process appears to be simple, it is affected by the rate of plant transpiration which in turn is directly related to environmental conditions.
Light, temperature and humidity play important roles in transpiration speed.
Plants transpire more in correct light conditions, low humidity and warm temperatures which describe many areas buildings during the winter months.
The study found that the levels of chemicals removed from the air also differ by the variety of plant and the health of the plant.
It is best to choose a plant that will thrive in a specific location.
A sick or struggling plant will not be as effective as one that is thriving.
Areca Palm, Chysalidocarpus lutescens, will reach a height of five feet (1.5 metres).
It prefers normal room temperatures and should never be place in direct sunlight.
Lady palm, rhapis exelsa, will thrive in lower night temperatures and needs a bright sunlight during the day. It too will become a large plant.
Bamboo Palm, Chamaedorea seifrizii, needs a large space as it will reach a height of eight feet (2.5 metres).
The plant will thrive at normal room temperatures, in a corner that does not receive direct sunlight.
Rubber plant, ficus robusta, will grow most places in most buildings but prefers a bright environment.
Dracaena is a large genus which contains many plants that are considered common or standard houseplants.
They are ideal for the home or office as they come in many sizes and are easy to grow.
They thrive in areas where there isn’t any direct sunlight.
English ivy, hedra helix, is a climbing plant that covers the sides of buildings in warmer climates.
The plant will withstand some frost but not Prairie winters.
Place English ivy in full sunlight and keep the soil moist.
This plant is very susceptible to spidermites.
Peace lily, spathiphyllum, comes in a variety of sizes.
When given bright direct sunlight it will produce white flag flowers.
Dumb cane, dieffenbachia, weeping fig, ficus benjamina, Shefflera,
Brassaia actinophylla are indoor plants that are often seen in malls and office buildings. These plants will grow large if given bright sunlight and room. Florist mum, chrysathemum morifium, gerber daisy, gerbera jamesonii are two flowering plants that are known to readily clean the air.
These plants are gown in mass by florists and are considered as a throw away plant as they need specific conditions to set flowerbuds.
Winter is a long season.
Try growing one of these plants in the office or home to see if it makes a difference to the air and atmosphere.
Linda Tomlinson is a horticulturalist and educator living in Rocky Mountain House. You can contact her at your_garden@hotmail.com