'You're going to feel a difference': Using plants to clean the air in your home
With the pandemic inspiring some to make lifestyle changes, many have decided to add more green companions to their homes.
Rob Sproule, co-owner of Salisbury Greenhouse, says the garden centre has seen a significant increase in people looking for houseplants since the pandemic began.
"More people are staying at home. They're not travelling in the winter as much. They're inside more," he said. "They want fresher spaces and cleaner air inside."
"Really, all houseplants have seen a big resurgence right now."
For beginners looking to spruce up their living areas, Sproule recommends a spider plant, English ivy, or snake plant.
"Those are probably the top three hardest to kill plants," he said.
"By beginner, I mean people who forget to water for a week or two."
When it comes to plant placement, Sproule says you need to consider how much sunlight an area receives and how close that plant is to another one. According to him, NASA recommends no more than two plants per 100 square feet for maximum growth potential.
NOT A HEPA FILTER, BUT SOMETHING
Many plants are being sought out not only for their aesthetic or charm but their ability to remove toxins from the air.
"There are some plants that do a wonderful job of removing toxins from the air," Sproule added. "They eat poison as if eating sunlight was not enough.
"(Others) remove chemicals from the air," he said, "so they're all a little different.
"I mean, it's not a HEPA filter, it's different, but NASA's done studies with rooms with (plants inside)."
While certain plants have more air cleaning potential than others, Sproule said any can make an impact.
"Even (with) one of them, you're going to feel a difference," he said.
"Spider plants are huge right now because they're so easy (to care for), and they clean the air like crazy," Sproule said, adding they can remove carbon monoxide from the air.
Sproule said Boston ferns are another helpful plant to have around a home as they can remove formaldehyde, a common chemical found in cloth and dyes.
For snake plants, Sproule recommended placing them in a bedroom since they tend to release oxygen and clear airborne toxins.
"So if it's around your bed, you're going to sleep a little better because you're going to be getting richer oxygen from it."
The important thing is to ensure if a plant is dying that you remove it so that it doesn't introduce toxins to an area, Sproule said.
"Sometimes they actually store the toxins, so if the plant starts to die and break down, you want to get rid of it, so it doesn't start releasing toxins back into the air," he said.
HELPS WITH MENTAL HEALTH
For Ashley Soriano, plants represent so much more than simply something to water.
"They make a difference," Soriano said. "I like to buy small plants and really watch them get big."
"(I get them for) obviously the science behind cleaning the air," she said. "But it's also helped with mental health, taking care of them, seeing them grow."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.