How Indoor Plants Can Act As Air Purifiers

When most people think about incorporating live, indoor plants into their décor, they are thinking about it from an aesthetic point of view. Now while most plants are, of course, absolutely gorgeous and do wonders when it comes to making a space come alive, that’s not all that they’re good for. Taking it back to your high school science class for a minute, I’m sure the majority of you can remember your teacher discussing the impact plants have on the air around them. In case it has since slipped your mind however, let us break it down for you very simply: more plants = more clean air.

How Indoor Plants Can Act As Air Purifiers | Foliage Design Systems Palm Beach

By acting as filters and absorbing harmful gases through the pores on their leaves, plants help to take a bit of the burden off of our lungs. Instead of breathing in toxins that may lead to heavy asthma, allergies or immuno-suppressed illnesses, our plants are taking all of that in and giving us clean oxygen in return.


For those who are convinced that the air within their home or office is “clean enough,” consider the fact that indoor air is basically the worst air that we breathe. Most every day, we spend eight plus hours sitting at a desk at work and at least eight hours sleeping in our beds and at home; that’s 16+ hours spent in confined, poorly-ventilated spaces where air contaminants are constantly building up. In fact, according to research conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be up to 10 times more polluted than outdoor air.


Specifically interested in incorporate foliage into your office space and need even more of a reason to do so? Research has also concluded that employees are more productive and are less likely to call in sick when live foliage is in the workplace. Who knew you could thank your plants for reaching that year-end quota?


It was NASA that first discovered the ability of indoor plants to clean air in the 1970s and ‘80s while searching for a solution to bring clean air to the space station. Since then, many people have relied heavily on the tagline, “If it’s good enough for NASA, it’s good enough for me.” We couldn’t agree more.


With all that being said, we would highly recommend surrounding yourself, your family and your employees with beautiful foliage that can actually help to make them happier and healthier. Need help with the design details? Foliage Design Systems can help. We’d be more than happy to assist you in any way that we can, so feel free to get on contact with us today.


(Posted by: Robin Blakeman of Foliage Design Systems Palm Beach)


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