A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
10 AIR PURIFYING HOUSE PLANTS

Why invest in expensive electrical air purifiers when you can get house plants to clean and filter the air naturally and inexpensively?
All indoor plants are able to purify the air to some degree through their normal photosynthesis process. However some were found to be more beneficial than others in removing harmful household toxins, even removing up to  90% of chemicals in the air in only 24 hours. This also means that these plants can decrease your risk of cancer, asthma, allergies and some auto immune diseases.

Much of the research on these plants has been done by NASA scientists researching  ways to create space station habitats.

HOW TO SELECT AND CARE FOR YOUR PLANT

Choose one 10 to 12 inch potted plant for 100 square feet of your home for most effective air purification.

Cross reference the botanical and common name to ensure it will do the job it is meant to.

Consider where you will place your plant, so that it receives the right amount of sunlight to thrive.

Periodically dust and wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to ensure proper absorption of air particles and toxins.

Whenever possible capture rain water for your plant, remember all house plants thrive the best with natural water source.

BENEFICIAL TYPES OF PLANTS

ALOE VERA
Not only can it be used for burns and skin inflammation, it is also known to remove formaldehyde from the air.

ARECA PALM
General air purifier especially if it grows large, prefers partial sun and well drained soil.

BABY RUBBER PLANT
This house plant cleans the air by emitting high oxygen content, and purifies the air by removing chemicals and toxins. Likes filtered light, infrequent watering and rich soil.

BAMBOO PALM OR REED PALM
According to NASA it removes formaldehyde and acts as a natural humidifier. Likes bright indirect light and moist soil.

BOSTON FERN
Said to be one of the best air purifying house plants. Likes bright light and damp soil.

CHINESE EVERGREEN
Emits high oxygen content and purifies the air. Does well in full shade and good draining. The sap of the plant is considered poisonous and an irritant.

ENGLISH IVY
Is known for removing Benzene, a known carcinogen found in cigarette smoke, pesticides and detergents. Is said to be fantastic for asthma and allergies.

SNAKE PLANT
Found by NASA to absorb toxins such as nitrogen oxides, It tolerates low light levels and irregular watering.

SPIDER PLANT
NASA places this plant among the top 3 types of house plants to remove toxins and impurities. Likes bright indirect light and lots of watering.

PEACE LILY
They help to filter Benzene a known carcinogen from the air. It is also said to remove mold spores in the air, making it great for bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms.They are fairly robust and easy to care for.

TERRARIUMS

A Terrarium is like an aquarium, but for plants instead of fish!
All you need is a glass container, soil some greenery and a pinch of creativity to turn a vessel into a miniature landscape.

These miniature worlds make conversation starting centerpieces, they are also a great green fingered project for the whole family. They are easy to make and maintain with very little effort. They can fit any decor, and can be of any size or  shape depending on you and your imagination!

TEA CUP TERRARIUMS

In just under an hour you can create your very own indoor green space.

WHAT YOU NEED
A clear glass jar, vase, bowl or any interesting glass container
Rocks, pebbles, glass chunks
Activated charcoal or carbon (only required for a closed terrarium)
Potting soil
Moss (optional)
Figurines. sticks or decorative items
A scoop. spoon or shovel
Scissors
Gloves

These supplies can be bought online at
www.gamla.com
www.ankurnursery.com

STEP 1 PREPARE YOUR CONTAINER

Wash your container. Envision how you would like to arrange your plants in the car. You can use an open or closed container. An open container is better for cacti as they like lots of air. Closed containers are better for ferns, begonias. ivy as they like it humid. The wider the mouth of the container the easier it is to fill.

STEP 2 ADD THE DRAINAGE LAYER

Fill the bottom of the container with rocks or pebbles. This is to create a false drainage layer so water can settle and won't flood your plants. Approximately aim at 1/2" to 2" of this layer.

STEP 3 ADD THE ACTIVATED CHARCOAL

The charcoal is a bit messy, it comes in small granules or shards.You don't need much just enough to cover the rocks. The charcoal will improve the quality of your little world including reducing bacteria, fungus and odors. Only needed for closed terrariums.

STEP 4 ADD SOIL

Cactus and succulents need different soil compared to other plants. so be sure to get the appropriate soil for the plants you are using.Add enough soil so that the plant roots will have enough space to fit in and grow.

STEP 5 ADD THE PLANTS

Take your plant out of the soil and break up the hard soil ball until you get down to the roots. You may need to trim the roots if they are too long; don't worry they will grow back. Using a spoon or your fingers dig a well in the soil to place your plants roots in. Add more soil around and compress the soil around the base of the plant.

Continue placing your plants in the container and try to keep them away from the edge of the container.

Select small plants that will fit through the opening of your container. Select plants like baby's tear, Button fern, Ficus Primula, croton, spider plant, english ivy, Pothos and Artillery fern.

STEP 6 ADD ACCESSORIES

After you've finished planting you can add accessories like moss. little figurines, old toys, glass beads, large rocks or shells. This is your little world so you can put whatever you want.

STEP 7 CLEAN AND WATER

It's likely that you have a bit of dirt on the sides of the container, which you should wipe clean. Give your terrarium a little water. do not soak it.

TIPS AND TRICKS

If leaves dry up or wilt remove them. If a plant dies remove it to maintain the health of your eco system.

Do not place your terrarium in direct sunlight. These are little green houses so direct light through the glass will trap heat and scorch the plant. Place in indirect light for best growth.

Monitor your terrarium  water needs based on how dry the soil is.

Plant all plants that thrive in the same environment. For example all succulents (including cactus) need very little water. Or you could plant all Ferns because they like it moist. If you plant ferns with cactus both might not do well.

POPULAR TERRARIUM PLANTS

URBAN GARDENING  

VEGGIES YOU CAN EAT ONCE AND GROW FOREVER 

In my series on urban gardening today I will show you how easily you can re grow vegetables from fresh kitchen scrap. They are super easy to grow, initially you will just need some time and patience to care for your new plant but once they bloom the benefits are huge.

Regrowing food does not cost anything , theres no dirt and no special equipment required and you can control the quality of what you eat.
Its a great way for kids to learn about re cycling and how plants and food grow.
Sounds magical so lets get started.

SPRING ONIONS
Take your green onions, chop of the green part from the bulb leaving only one inch of the bulb. Put the bulbs in a small glass with just enough water to cover the bottom of the bulb. Leave in a sunny place for about 10 days, changing the water regularly.

10 days later you get your first supply of fresh home grown greens. Repeat the process to ensure a plentiful supply

CELERY
Cut the base of the celery, wash and place in a small bowl of warm water on or near a window, base side down and cut side up. Change the water regularly.

Leave it for one week, you will notice that the surrounding stalks seem to dry out and the little yellow leaves from the center start growing out of the water.

After a week transfer your celery into a planter and cover it with soil save for the leaf tips.

Water it generously and you will see your celery plant blooming, giving you a fresh supply of celery leaves and stalks within a week.

Within a few weeks of placing your celery in a sunny spot you will have a bushy plant.

LEMONGRASS

Start with a bunch of fresh lemon grass, chop off the tops and place the stalks in water. Change the water every few days and in 2 to 3 weeks you will start seeing root development.

Once there is significant root growth plant the stalks in a planter with soil in a sunny location.

ROMAINE LETTUCE 

Place the bottom of the stump in a bowl with half an inch of water, check the water level daily and watch your stump grow anew. When new leaves start to grow you can transplant into soil.

BEAN SPROUTS

Moong beans are the ones most commonly used for sprouting, since smaller beans are healthier.
Start with dried beans, wash them and put them in a colander and run cold water over them.

Take a clean jar and fill 1/5 th of the jar with beans and fill it till the top with room temperature water.
Place a muslin or cloth on top of the bottle and secure with an elastic band. Set the jar on a counter away from direct sunlight. Allow the beans to soak for 8 - 10 hours.

Drain off water through the mesh lid, open the container and add lukewarm water and swish them around. Re seal the container and drain off the water.

Put the jar in a warm place like a cupboard. Rinse and drain the beans twice a day to keep them clean and moist.

Growth usually starts within 2 -3 days and the sprouts are ready to harvest within 4 to 5 days.Remove the sprouts once they reach between one and three inches, rinse , drain and spread on a clean paper towel for 8 hours.

CILANTRO/ CORIANDER

Place the bottom of fresh cilantro in water and leave it in a bright place like your window cill. Soon the roots will sprout, when they are a couple of inches long transplant into soil. Within a few weeks you will notice new sprigs growing.