Natural plants are the only natural decorative item that have undeniable benefits for the health of each room’s environment, contradicting the myth rooted in common opinion that having plants at home is harmful to health. It’s important to demystify this idea in favour of more biotic and healthier homes.
The harmonious role that plants play in a home environment is undeniable. The vast majority of people are looking to buy artificial plants, taking advantage of the huge variety of replicas on the market that don’t require constant domestic care or watering. However, the presence of plants in the home goes far beyond simple decorative pieces gathering dust, forgotten in some corner of the room.
In the natural process of photosynthesis, plants consume oxygen during the day and release carbon dioxide at night. As a result, the myth was born that having plants in the house is harmful to our health because they ‘steal’ oxygen from us (especially if they’re in the bedroom).
This belief was debunked by Bill Wolverton, the researcher who, in the 1980s, carried out studies for NASA that revealed the harmless role of plants in human health.
The presence of plants in the living space has been shown to be beneficial, as they purify and revitalise the air and eliminate up to 87% of indoor toxins in 24 hours. In practical terms, if two people sleep in the same room, they produce much more carbon dioxide than if that same room is full of plants.
That said, there’s no reason not to replace artificial plants, which come from the petrochemical industry and transmit toxic components, with natural plants, which work as environmental purifiers, absorbing common chemical substances in our homes such as ammonia, acetone or carbon monoxide. These compounds are present in various decorative and construction materials, such as household cleaning products, carpets, paints and air fresheners.
Each type of plant is sensitive to a certain type of substance and cleans different chemical components from the environment. It is therefore advisable to have a variety of plants in your home in order to eliminate more of the toxins present in the air. Some species you can choose from are St George’s Sword, which releases oxygen at night and absorbs carbon dioxide; Ribbon Plant, which eliminates substances such as carbon monoxide; Rafflesia or Lady Palm, which annihilates chemicals such as ammonia and Spathiphyllum, which eliminates substances such as acetone and benzene. Ideally, you should place one plant every 10 square metres, especially in the areas where you spend the most time, such as the living room, bedroom and kitchen. Plants should also be placed near fireplaces or gas cookers, as these are areas where toxins are constantly released.
For all lovers of natural plants who are prone to developing allergic reactions, it is important to avoid close proximity to flowering plants or plant fragrances, so as not to trigger reactions such as irritation of the respiratory and ocular mucous membranes or allergic rhinitis.
Marcelina Guimarães and Miguel Fernandes, founders of Habitat Saudável, also advise that building flower beds, winter gardens or even growing plants in pots helps to regulate the temperature and humidity of spaces. In addition to the benefits already described, these solutions are also economically viable and can be used for food purposes if you opt for a vertical herb/medicinal garden or a small vegetable patch.
You can find these and other tips on how to keep your home healthy in the book Uma Casa mais Saudável, uma Família mais Feliz, published by ‘A Esfera dos Livros’ and written by Marcelina Guimarães and Miguel Fernandes.