How to improve our indoor environments with plants

Plants have always been part of our lives. Our perfect environment is traditionally nature.

That is why putting plants in our home is a natural step. Today more than ever, our indoor habitat needs our outdoor habitat.

Environmental benefits of plants

• Through the process of photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the environment and convert it into oxygen.

This complements our own breathing process, as humans inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. In this way plants improve the quality of our indoor air.

There is a belief that plants "steal" oxygen from us at night. However, the amount of carbon dioxide they expel is so small that it is negligible. So there is no danger in having plants in our bedrooms.

• As part of their nature, plants provide moisture to the environment, helping to balance the relative humidity of the air. This is very beneficial in reducing levels of dryness and dust particles and preventing respiratory problems.

• Thanks to this moisture supply, our green friends can also help to reduce static electricity. Static electricity is increased in dry environments. Continuous static electricity in indoor environments increases levels of body tension, a factor present in various health disorders such as nervousness, irritability or worsening of symptoms in electro-hypersensitive people. And, in occupational environments and combined with low relative humidity and alternating electric fields, it is associated with circular lipoatrophy.

• They purify indoor air. According to a NASA study, plants have the ability to neutralise pollutants in indoor air by absorbing these substances through their leaves and roots.

Based on their research, here is a table showing which plant species are the best filters for each pollutant. 

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• In addition to their physical benefits, they have other advantages in terms of sensory and environmental psychology. Studies show that they can help us to reduce daily stress thanks to their stimulating and sensory effect (relaxation, relaxation), creating a more beautiful, more pleasant and more biotic environment. Their beautiful colours and rich fragrances convey wellbeing and make our environment more welcoming. This has a positive influence on our mood. They also contribute to the acoustic benefit, helping to reduce reverberation times.

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Recommendations for improving indoor air quality with plants

Even when it comes to plants, there are some important aspects to consider before incorporating them into our spaces:

• The purifying power of plants depends very much on the environmental conditions of the room and the number of plants. In some cases, up to 30 plants per 100 m2 of floor space are required.

• The addition of plants does not exempt from further ventilation. Plants do not provide fresh air, but filter out some of its pollutants. They are not as effective as an air purifier or good ventilation.

• Although it is very interesting and beneficial to place plants indoors, beware of excessive humidity and the proliferation of mould and bacteria in the substrate, so it is best to avoid them in children's rooms or rooms of particularly sensitive people.

• Some occupants may be allergic to specific plants. Flowering plants should be avoided: they release pollen, which causes allergic reactions in some people.

Plants enrich our indoor spaces. Not only do they make them more attractive, but they also provide benefits for our health and mood, and help us to improve our quality of life.

Thanks to their physical and chemical properties, they are an interesting ally in the purification of the air we breathe. improve the quality of our indoor environmentspurifying the air we breathe.