Have you ever thought about houseplants that breathe air? When we think of plants, what comes to mind? You may picture a green leafy plant sitting on a desk or table in a dark, tiny house with poor air circulation. Imagine a tropical plant with its roots pumping air into the room.
The best answer to this question is “oxygen”. Most plants live and die for one reason: lack of oxygen. In the wild, plants require oxygen to survive. They produce enzymes and chlorophyll in their tissues to take up oxygen from the air.
This “oxygen cycle” is crucial to the health of houseplants, but it can be greatly improved with some simple changes in the way we grow them. Houseplants can’t lose the oxygen that is already in the air, they are growing in, so if they can improve their conditions it will improve their quality of life. There are many options to improve the oxygen supply to houseplants.
Plants need sunlight. However, not all plants get enough sunlight in the summer, so what do you do when you have a plant that doesn’t get enough? Plant it in a window, even if it means putting it under the house. This is an excellent choice because the plant will gain sunlight, and thus the oxygen, from the natural airflow. You can also buy plants that don’t need any artificial light, so they are safe for indoors even when the plant is outdoors.
The shade is also important to houseplants. Some people don’t know it, but houseplants can actually tolerate shade, provided the shade is small and clear. If your house is very large and shaded, you may have to increase the amount of light your plants receive. Another option is to turn off the lights if the plants are in the shade. The reason you want to shade your houseplants is, so they don’t get enough water.
How much water your houseplants need will depend on the season and what kind of plants you have. Houseplants that get enough sunlight and water will be healthy and green. Those that don’t get enough or too little will droop or wilt. In either case, you can add more water, or just water it less.
Air circulation is also important to the health of houseplants. It helps circulate the air and make it easier for the plant to absorb the oxygen it needs. This is also why it is crucial to let the plant have enough sunlight.
The problem with air circulation is that it can be noisy. Often, we see people blocking the door to the room the plants are in or even removing any light fixtures so the air will circulate better. These aren’t good solutions, because they make the plant’s lives difficult, not to mention annoying and sometimes even dangerous. Besides, a plant’s only problem is getting oxygen, not making noise.
Instead, consider creating a mist of water to circulate the air around the plant. You can place several hoses near your plants, filling one with warm water and one with cool water. Let the plants sit in the warm water for an hour or two and then put them back in the air. Then, repeat. You can adjust the temperatures so that it is warmer in one area than another, although doing so can cause your plants to droop.
You should also regularly check your plants to make sure they are getting enough air. For example, if your plants are in pots, see if they are getting enough light. If not, move them to another pot or place them in a window to get direct light. Similarly, if you have pots outside, see if they get enough air. Check your plants’ soil and water levels, as well, to make sure they are giving you all the oxygen your plants need.
All of these methods can improve the quality of life for your houseplants. Consider changing the air circulation in your home, your air purifier, or just water your plants more often!