Fresh Air and Indoor Food
Fresh air and indoor food
Growing plants indoors not only improves air quality, it is proven to increase productivity, reduce stress and help people feel more contented at work and at home.
Perhaps some of the reasons for this is that humans respond well to being in the presence of green, healthy plants. Actually, the colour green is very soothing. We know that NASA painted the internal walls of the space control room green to reduce stress, and I have a milk (casein) paint wall painted green in my office to great calming effect!
If you are not so keen on green walls, try also settling in a few plants around your home or workplace. They can be edible too, to add to your lunch or for a mid afternoon snack.
Green walls a growing future.
The new trend for growing green walls has really taken on in Australia. There is still along way to go to create a reliably green and healthy wall as they are not without their management issues. They are also very expensive to install and are growing in mostly commercial spaces..
Plants let breathe so we can too!
In my early nursing days we used to discourage the keeping of plants inside. Not only was the soil seen as harbouring harmful micro-organisms, it was thought that the plants would suck the oxygen from the air overnight and cause respiratory problems in the patients.
Now we know this is just not true. Plants absorb harmful benzene and formaldehyde (Volatile organic compounds VOCs) from the air. Internal air can be 5-7 times more polluted than the outdoor air. The VOCs are all around us, used in furnishings, carpets and as glues and sealants in our homes and offices. Plants also continue to work their good overnight while we sleep, ‘exhaling’ oxygen.
Growing a healthier home
Here are some ideas for food and ornamental plants you can plant indoors
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Food plants |
Ornamental plants |
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Sprouts in a jar or tray- alfalfa and mung |
Spathyphillum Madonna lilies Real survivors! |
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Barley grass in a seedling tray with hydroponic growing medium. It makes good smoothies. Buy barley from produce store or health food shop. |
Ferns These love the humidity of a bathroom. Birds nest are beautiful and quite a spectacle. Maiden hair needs lots of misting Microlepia strigosa Serenity fern |
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Grow herbs like oregano, basil, thyme and lemon balm, on a sunny window sill. |
Dracaena Happy Plants |
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Lettuces and salad greens grow well indoors in summer. Allow a space about the size of an ice-cream container per lettuce. |
Palms The Kentias and the Lady Palms are great. Kentias are single trunked palms whereas Lady Palms are clumpers. |
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Ceylon spinach good for a sunny spot inside. It will want to climb so prune regularly and give it a small wire trellis. |
Small pots of dense grassy foliage: Liriope, mondo grass and Zoysia the No Mow grass. |
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Ornamental chillies are colourful and edible. |
Bromelliads for a colourful leaf bract year-round. Some have a fabulous flower too. |
- Don’t forget to provide plenty of light for best growth.
- Ensure the pots are large enough to prevent a tall plant toppling.
- A liquid fertiliser is essential for all potted plants. I like fish and kelp; organic blood and bone or if you are really averse to the smell, try a chemical fertiliser -Thrive for example is not organic.
- In dark spots, a grow light bulb may be needed to replace your fluorescent bulb. Leave it on for at least 8 hours a day.