Plant Aesthetic in the Home

Whether you are upscaling your chic home office or prepping your contemporary guest bedroom, interior design calls for plant aesthetics in the home. All plants remove carbon dioxide from the air; this is a function in nature's perfect cycle. As we breathe out CO2, plants, through the process of photosynthesis, convert it into oxygen. Together humans and plants sustain one another. This balance is particularly beneficial when you spend the majority of your time indoors.

During this time, being enclosed in the home with the entire family increases CO2 build up in the house. High levels will displace oxygen, causing health problems. Any measurement over 1000 ppm (parts per million) indicates a problem with fresh air circulation in the building. This low air quality causes drowsiness, headaches, sleepiness, loss of attention, increased heart rate, and slight nausea. To counter this stagnant, stale, and stuffy air, use living plants that naturally purify the atmosphere. Evade low concentration in the home office while embellishing the room.

Consider plant placement in every room in the house. A Dracaena Trifasciata (Snake Plant) or Rubber Tree suit an entrance with their tall stature creating a welcoming presence and are easy maintenance. The Dracaena prefers indirect sunlight while the Rubber Tree sits well in bright light. The Snake Plant removes benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene. These plants are beautiful next to an entryway bench, but be forewarned that they are not pet friendly.

You can avail pure air in the bedroom as well. Rest easy with the Peace Lily, as it produces oxygen at night that most flora produce during the day. This plant is better for the experienced plant lover (Green Thumbs) as it doesn't take well to over-watering. The perfect amount of moisture, sunlight, and shade will lead to a good night's rest for you. The Peace Lily is a flowering plant, so if you are prone to pollen allergies, then a small Snake Plant (or Mother-in-Law's Tongue) is a good substitute atop your nightstand, as it too is nocturnal. The Mother-in-Law's Tongue is easier maintenance as it's known to survive drought better than over-watering, making it perfect for newbies (or Black Thumbs). Keep in mind these are not pet-friendly plants.

Another great place for plants is the bathroom! Yes, you read that right, the bathroom. If you want to purify this area, then try English Ivy. This perennial vine reduces airborne fecal particles and combats mold levels. Place the foliage on a cart to create a relaxing ambiance while enjoying wine in a warm bath. The ideal home spa is a toxic-free environment where you can exfoliate your face. Another great thing about this plant location is that you can easily water during your routine shower. Also, try to allow the English Ivy to see at least four hours of direct sunlight each day. (Not pet-friendly)

Now, if you would like pet-friendly plants around your home, the Spider Plant and the Bird's Nest Fern are great alternatives. The Spider Plant thrives well in a bright space with indirect sunlight, so place it in a room with large windows (but away from the windowsills). Bird's Nest Ferns flourish in humid environments making the bathroom an ideal place. They need indirect sunlight, so make sure it has a window.

With natural foliage, you can enrich the aesthetic and atmosphere of your home. NASA's study, Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement, reveals the effectiveness of plants on air quality. These plants reduce the amount of benzene by over 79 percent: Dracaena Marginata, Peace Lily, and English Ivy. With such impurities (VOCs) exposed by building materials, products (household cleaners/personal care), and home activities, it is best practice to filter the atmosphere indoors with natural combatants.

Updating the home with live foliage can have a positive effect on families today. As the air in the shared space undergoes purification, plants are allowed the room to breathe life into our environment. With quality air, balance is restored. While we continue to live out each day with our loved ones, we will be able to enjoy the pleasures of energy, clarity, concentration, tranquility, and stability.