INDOOR PLANTS: BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN
We breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide and, through the process of photosynthesis, plants convert this carbon dioxide back into oxygen. But it’s more than this oxygen release that provides benefits to the environment around us; plants help clean the air inside your home, reduce anxiety and stress, and filter toxins from the environment. Research has shown that indoor plants are great for offices because they can calm your sympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and helping you to feel more alert and productive.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, found in building materials such as paint, carpet, plastics and electronic equipment, release gases and pollute our indoor space. Research suggests that plants and microorganisms in the
