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The Helpful Nature of Houseplants

Row of potted indoor plants sitting on dresser

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Nestled among books on a shelf, soaking up sunlight by a kitchen window or filling the bare corner of a living room, nothing adds beauty and interest to a home quite like a living plant. Bringing nature indoors also has numerous human health advantages.

Benefits of Houseplants

They oxygenate the air. We inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, while plants do the opposite during photosynthesis. This makes them ideal air fresheners. At sundown, when photosynthesis stops, most plants go back to absorbing oxygen and releasing CO2, except for orchids, succulents and bromeliads, making them wonderful bedside companions.

They eliminate toxins. Studies have shown that plants filter indoor air, removing volatile organic compounds like benzene, xylene, toluene, trichloroethylene, ammonia and formaldehyde, which are commonly found in furniture adhesives, paints, carpets, chemical cleaners and craft supplies. 

They humidify the indoor environment. Through a process called transpiration, moisture travels from plant roots to small pores on the underside of leaves, where it changes to vapor and is released into the air. In arid climates and during winter, this creates a favorable indoor atmosphere that decreases dry skin, colds, sore throats, dry coughs and even the transmission of the flu virus.

They enhance our mood. Research shows indoor plants boost our mental health. One study found that viewing plants while recovering from surgery led to physiological improvements by lowering blood pressure and reducing the perception of pain, anxiety and fatigue. Also, the act of taking care of plants has been shown to be emotionally helpful. 

They help with productivity. Placing a philodendron by the computer might be a good idea, as a number of studies have shown that being close to nature improves concentration, memory and productivity.

Pet-Friendly Varietals

Some plants can be toxic to dogs and cats, but here are a few that are perfectly safe for our furry best friends: rattlesnake plant, spider plant, parlor palm, ponytail palm, African violet, bird’s nest fern, Venus flytrap, Boston fern, polka dot plant, orchid, staghorn fern, bromeliad, date palm and herbs.

Maintenance Tips

Watering: Over- or under-watering are the most common houseplant killers, but there are easy fixes. One is a relatively inexpensive moisture meter that helps monitor hydration levels in a planter. Or simply stick a finger into the soil and add water only when it is dry one inch below the surface.

Low-light choices: Many plants thrive indoors with partial, indirect sunlight, and some are low-light tolerant, including lucky bamboo, spider plant, pothos, snake plant, staghorn fern, English ivy, peace lily, maidenhair fern, philodendron, anthurium, corn plant and dragon tree.

In-Print National Content Eco-Tip Healthy Home October 2022
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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