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Image by Kari Shea

Many people may have heard the common notion that plants produce oxygen and as a result, people began buying plants with the intent of filtering the air. The only issue here is house plants don't filter enough air. In 2019, Bryan E. Cummings and Michael S. Waring published their studies which showed that in order to filter a room with plants at the same level as pre-existing outdoor-to-indoor air exchange in a typical building, each square meter of space needed 10-1000 plants. All in all, plants do remove VOCs1, just not enough in a household to be considered a reliable filter. 

 

Though houseplants aren’t the most effective filter, don’t let that be the reason you don’t have plants in your house. Plants still produce a myriad of health benefits some of which are still being explored deeper. A few include…

The real reasons why you need
house plants

Plants prevent pathogen outbreaks as some of their bacterias counter prevalent pathogens.

Improved indoor microbiome diversity which newer studies show is possibly vital for human longevity.

Reduced stress levels thanks to the bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae which causes a release of serotonin.

Reason 3

Reason 2

Reason 1

In conclusion, plants may not be as great of a filter as the common notion may suggest, however, they still hold great health benefits that should encourage you to keep plants in your household. A great beginner guide to plants is Jenny Raworth and Val Bradley’s book, Click HERE to access their complete guide! 

 

If you want to read more on the importance of air quality and how to maintain it, click  HERE

 

1: Volatile Organic Compounds 

2: Serotonin is a hormone in your body that influences your mood, sleep, bone health, and more. 

3: Pathogens are viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites that invade the body and can cause health issues.

 

Sources:

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