Note from Tiger Oak Designs : When I first wrote this blog post, I had no idea it would publish 6 weeks into a global pandemic. The thought of a natural way of filtering the air inside your home has always appealed to me, but suddenly that takes on new meaning. With people being more mindful of the air we breath (and what hidden dangers may be in it) this is a great time to talk about the air INSIDE our homes, and what we can do to help clean it. If these past few weeks have shown us anything, it's how much better Mother Earth responds when we give her a break from every day pollutants. The same can be said about our homes. And besides, a living, breathing plant is a great way to cheer up a space after 6 weeks of social distancing! (This is also the 50th Anniversary of the official celebration of Mother Earth!)
Did you know there are toxins in the air we breath, emitted from the items in our homes? Things like furniture glue, fabrics, wall paints, etc. all release toxins into the air. Luckily, Mother Nature gifted us with an easy and beautiful way to help combat these toxins ... allow me to introduce you to Air Filtering Houseplants!
Back in the 1980's, NASA joined forces with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America, and together they conducted the Clean Air Study in an effort to identify the most effective indoor plants to filter pollutants from our air. Tiger Oak Designs is a big believer in adding something living to every room. Plants are therapeutic ... they are mood boosting, increase productivity, reduce stress AND purify your air! What's not to love?
Today, I am sharing my favorite infographic, c/o Lovethegarden, so that this Earth Day, we can help the environment and add a little flora to our homes at the same time. There are just 3 things to keep in mind:
1) Light requirements. Make sure you are choosing the right plants for your space. Providing your plants with the adequate amount and strength of light to meet it's needs will ensure they live long, healthy lives.
2) NASA recommends 1 plant for every 100 sqft. for maximum impact.
3) Some of these plants may be toxic to children and/or pets, so make sure you check the plant's toxicity before bringing them into your home.
With social distancing and stay-at-home orders in place, check to see if your nearest garden center offers curbside pickup for online orders and grab a plant (or two, or three)! If not, some of my favorite online retailers for plants are bloomscape, plants.com, and Home Depot!
Happy Earth Day
xx - Natalie
"When your home shows up well for you, you can show up well for others"