Plants utilize sunlight energy to transform carbon dioxide into oxygen and absorb water for photosynthesis. Furthermore, they absorb essential nutrients like calcium during this process.
Plants also filter airborne toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene by pulling them into the soil where root zone microorganisms break them down.
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese evergreens are one of the highest oxygen producing outdoor plants you can buy, as well as being easy to care for. This plant thrives with just enough light and water – making them a popular choice for desk, windowsill or office spaces.
If you’re looking to add some flair to your home with houseplants, try selecting a variety with variegated leaves like ‘Frasher’ or ‘Pseudobracteatum. Alternatively, opt for green leaves featuring pink or silver highlights on the veins like ‘White Rajah’ or ‘Red Zircon.
These plants are not only low light tolerant but highly disease resistant as well. To keep them healthy, apply a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength once every month during the spring and summer growing seasons.
For a quick assessment of your Chinese evergreen’s health, insert your finger or use a soil moisture meter to see if it’s time for watering. If the top 2 inches of soil appear dry, add water immediately.
Maintaining your Chinese evergreen’s health is essential for its long-term success. When selecting a pot, opt for one with drainage holes so excess water can drain out quickly; this helps prevent root rot and keeps the roots healthy and strong.
If the bottom of your Chinese evergreen’s stems begin to turn brown or shriveled, it could be indicative of overwatering. Repot it into a larger container so that it can get enough water and nutrients.
Fungus that causes this problem can be eliminated with copper fungicide. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your plant type and dosage carefully.
Some common issues you might observe with your Chinese evergreen include wilting leaves, leaf drop or lack of new growth. If you observe a lack of progress, try moving the plant to a brighter area for several weeks.
Uneven growth, particularly on one side of the plant, may be caused by either not getting enough sunlight or inadequate humidity. To remedy this issue, relocate your houseplant to a more humid room with other houseplants or place it near a room humidifier for added moisture.
Pygmy Date Palm
The Pygmy Date Palm is one of the highest oxygen producing outdoor plants and an ideal choice for those seeking a tropical aesthetic in their yard. This small palm tree can fit in any space and looks fantastic when planted near patio or pool areas, plus they require low upkeep once established.
They prefer warm temperatures and do well outdoors; however, they can also thrive indoors in cooler conditions. Keep them away from windows that may get chilly and avoid radiators or other sources of cold air.
When planting your Pygmy Date Palm in a pot, ensure the soil is well drained so water cannot accumulate at the bottom and cause root-rot. To aid drainage, sprinkle some fine gravel or clay pebbles around the base of the plant when transplanting it to its final location.
Avoid overwatering your Pygmy Date Palm by watering it regularly throughout the summer months and whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. Make sure your plant receives at least one week worth of moisture each summer season.
Fertilize your Pygmy Date Palm monthly with a standard houseplant fertilizer (diluted to half) during its growing season, from spring until fall. Doing this will promote foliage and flowering but do not feed during cold months as growth will slow down.
A regular spray of water from a hose or garden sprayer can also help clean leaves and prevent pest infestations. If you notice browning or drooping leaves, take immediate action by cutting them at their base.
If your Pygmy Date Palm is experiencing any issues, the first thing to check is whether it has become infected with a fungal disease such as Ganoderma butt rot or Pestalotiopsis. This condition causes the lower part of the trunk to rot and can spread to other palms.
Another issue that may affect this plant is excessive dust accumulation. Regularly wipe the leaves clean with a cloth to avoid dust accumulation in crevices and cress-shaped areas.
Pothos
When you’re looking for plants that will purify the air in your home, there’s no better choice than a Pothos. This low-maintenance tropical plant removes toxins like benzene and formaldehyde from the air, which can help lower stress levels and relieve allergy symptoms.
A pothos plant is easy to care for and requires very little space, so it’s a great option for small rooms and balconies. They can also be easily propagated from cuttings. To start growing a new plant, cut off a stem that’s between 6 and 12 inches long, strip off the leaves and place it in a glass of water. After a few weeks, the cuttings will begin to grow roots in the water and eventually become full-grown Pothos plants.
While some Pothos varieties do well in bright, indirect light, others need more direct sunlight to thrive. Fortunately, most pothos are very adaptable to any lighting condition.
You can find pothos in almost any color, from dark green with splashes of yellow to chartreuse or white. Several popular choices include Epipremnum aureum ‘Marble Queen’, which has heart-shaped leaves variegated with gray and creamy white, or E. aureum ‘Golden Pothos’, which is a favorite because it grows slowly and evenly.
Another variation, ‘Pearls and Jade,’ has leaves streaked with grey, white, and green. It is one of the most popular varieties of Pothos, and it’s easier to keep alive than other varieties because of its lower maintenance needs.
If you have a bright room or windows with strong, direct sunlight, you can even grow these plants indoors in containers. However, you should keep in mind that these plants do not tolerate heat very well, so they may need to be moved indoors or into a cooler area when temperatures are below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition to their oxygen-producing capabilities, Pothos plants are also easy to maintain and incredibly decorative. They add a pop of color to a space without drawing too much attention and can lighten up the overall look of any room. They can also reduce your stress levels, so they’re a great addition to any home or office.
Snake Plant
If you’re searching for a low maintenance, high oxygen producing outdoor plant, the Snake Plant is one of the best choices. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they also have numerous health benefits like reducing indoor air pollution and improving overall wellbeing.
The Snake Plant, commonly known as an Areca plant, can be found across Africa and Asia. Although it’s hardy enough to live outdoors, most often grown indoors as houseplants.
These plants are hardy in a range of climates, but they thrive best between US Hardiness Zones 8 and 11. The ideal temperature for this tropical plant is 55 degrees Fahrenheit; if it drops below 50 degrees, your plant will dry out and die.
It’s essential to give your snake plant time to adjust when moving it outdoors. Start by placing it in a shady indoor spot for one or two weeks, and then gradually increase its exposure to sunlight outdoors. Doing this ensures that the plant doesn’t experience any shock to its system and can thrive in its new home!
Snake Plants can be highly vulnerable to pests, so be sure to regularly inspect for signs of an infestation and treat them promptly. If you spot any signs, such as curled leaves or reddened foliage, cut away the affected parts and spray your Snake Plant with neem oil for protection against future outbreaks.
Another essential tip when it comes to keeping your snake plant healthy is properly managing its water. Overwatering can cause root rot, leading to death for your plant. Furthermore, stressing out the plant makes it more vulnerable to pests like thrips.
Additionally, pruning your snake plant when necessary is essential for controlling its size, stimulating new leaf growth and creating healthier leaves.
The Snake Plant is an effective air-purifying plant, filtering out harmful toxins such as benzene, toluene, xylene and formaldehyde from the air. These toxins can be found in cleaning products, glue and other household items and may trigger allergies in those exposed.
