Do you miss those days of beautiful blue skies where the air is crisp and clean? I do. It’s one thing to have to deal with the pollutants in the air we breathe outside but to have the air in our home not be healthy is another. I have a solution for you and it’s not that costly. Take a listen to this podcast to find your inexpensive solution!
I’d Prefer to Read Your Message!
We all know that the air we breathe outside can be pretty toxic with all the chemtrails, pollutants from manufacturing plants and the pesticides we use on our farms and our lawns. But what about the air quality in our home?
Sadly, I believe that it is probably just as toxic. Why do I say that? Think about our carpets that are synthetic, or our furniture made from “non-wood” parts. Or the paint we use, the cabinets we install and the air fresheners we use. All these items contribute to poor air quality inside our home.
These products can emit something into the air especially when they are brand new. Did you ever put in brand new carpets into your home and the smell is very strong for several days? What chemicals are being released from that carpet? I can surmise not good ones.
We can regularly dust, mop our floors and vacuum our carpets, but those particles and chemicals are still floating around our homes.
So, what is one to do?
Well, you can purchase an air freshener and those can be extremely helpful, but they can be costly. Plus, you must change the filters often for them to be effective.
Well here is another recommendation to purify the air in your home and it’s VERY cost effective.
PLANTS!!
Plants CAN help purify the air. NASA has been researching the power and effectiveness of common house plants for years. Plants can help process benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene in our inside environment.
What are some of those plants?
- English Ivy
- Snake Plants
- Spider Plants
- Peace Lily
- Golden Pathos
- Philodendron
Now you can be saying but I don’t feel like I have a “green thumb?” That’s ok. These are easy plants to grow, and it would take a lot to destroy them. Additionally, you can purchase books that guide you to have success with these plants. Or you could ask your friend “Google” how to care for these plants. You will find tons of guidance from Google.
Here are 12 Tips For Maintaining Your Indoor Plants
- Soil – Be sure you are starting with good healthy soil. It doesn’t have to be organic, but it needs to be “clean” and free of chemicals. DO NOT USE MIRACLE GROW SOIL. You do not want your soil to be full of chemicals and Miracle Grow soil is.
- Water – Know when to water. Some plants like the soil to go completely dry before you water again and some want to be moist. (Note: Look up how to care for each plant and write it on a label. Put the label on the pot. This way you will always know how to maintain that specific plant.)
- Light – Understand what type of light your plants require. Do they need direct sunlight? Then a window on the eastside or southside of your home would be good. Or do they want filtered light? Then you could perhaps move it away from the window or put in a less sunny side of the home.
- Fertilize – We need to be sure to fertilize our plants but not too often. AND AGAIN, DO NOT USE MIRACLE GROW. My up-and-coming Study Guide Your Journey to Wholeness will go into more detail on some safe fertilizers.
- Repot – Plants will grow, and they will eventually outgrow the pot they are in. One way to tell they are getting root bound and ready for repotting is when you go to water it, the water goes right through. This means there is not enough soil to hold the water.
- Humidity – Some plants need humidity (For example Ferns, Pathos, Philodendron). They prefer humidity over 40% which is hard to maintain in the house. Bathrooms can give you that humidity but not the rest of your home. You could consider a humidifier in that specific room and place it near the plant.
- Leaves – It’s important to keep the leaves clean. If the plants gather too much dust, it hinders their ability to photosynthesize and can clog their pores and make it difficult for the plant to breathe. Wiping them down with a damp cloth is helpful but I’ve put my plants in the shower to clean the leaves.
- Prune – Always be sure to prune away dead leaves which will happen. Or prune it if you do not want the plant to get too big. Make sure your cuts are at a 45-degree angle to prevent moisture getting into the stem.
- Pests – Watch your plants for pests. If it seems that your plant’s leaves are getting sticky, turning color or being chewed, you probably have a pest. BE SURE TO USE A SAFE product in combating these pests (which I will discuss in my Study Guide).
- Move Plants – As the seasons change, consider moving your plants to be sure they are getting enough light they require. Sometimes we can leave them in the window they usually sit in, but if you notice they are struggling consider making a change or even getting a plant light.
- Use Technology – Sometimes technology can be your friend if you feel unsure about growing plants.You could consider purchasing a plant meter that will detect the moisture of the soil, its nutrient levels, and how much sunlight it is receiving. They can be helpful devices.
- ENJOY! – Enjoy your plants. They not only purify the air, but they put beauty and color into your home. They are God’s creations!
Are you ready to purchase some plants to begin purifying the air in your home? If you have further questions, please reach out. I may not have the “greenest” thumb (but many think I do) but I can surely guide you in the right direction. Plants and gardening are one of my many passions.
Your Spiritual Life & Health Coach … believing in you!
Please share this message with someone you know who needs to be encouraged!