Want to Purify the Air with Houseplants? Scientists Say the Number You Need Might Be Far Beyond Imagination!
It’s okay, looking cute is enough
Summary
- A professor from Imperial College London has debunked the myth, pointing out that the ability of plants to purify indoor air is extremely limited.
- A person consumes about 500 liters of oxygen daily, requiring hundreds of potted plants to meet the needs of just one individual.
- To improve indoor air quality and reduce carbon dioxide buildup, the most direct and effective method is simply opening windows for ventilation.
- While they may not significantly purify the air, studies show that looking at plants can help reduce pain and speed up recovery.
Placing a green plant in the corner of your room or on your desk does more than just look stylish. Many people do it hoping to purify the air and increase oxygen. However, John Tregoning, a professor and scientist at Imperial College London, recently pointed out that this idea might be a bit too romantic!
Just how many plants do you actually need?
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It’s true that plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. But the issue is volume. Professor Tregoning explains that an average houseplant only produces a few liters of oxygen a day, while an adult consumes about 500 liters of oxygen daily.
This means if you want to rely on plants for enough oxygen, you need hundreds of them, not just one or two small pots. “Putting that many plants in a room is actually a bit crazy,” the professor laughs, adding that these plants would also need plenty of sunlight to photosynthesize properly.
The easiest way to improve air quality is…
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We definitely should pay attention to indoor air quality. When carbon dioxide levels in an office or room get too high, it’s easy to feel sluggish. If ventilation is poor, colds and other illnesses spread more easily too. Unfortunately, plants can’t replace a good ventilation system. If you want clean, fresh air, the most effective and simplest method is just opening a window to let fresh air in.
That’s okay, looking cute is enough
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If you’re reading this and sighing at the new foliage plant on your desk, don’t rush to give it away just yet. Professor Tregoning adds that while plants can’t help much with producing oxygen, they still offer real benefits for our mental and physical health.
He cites a study from the 1980s as an example: in hospitals, patients with a view of trees outside their window took fewer painkillers and recovered faster compared to those who only faced a brick wall. So, while houseplants can’t serve as your personal air purifier, just looking at their cute appearance every day is enough to significantly lift your mood.
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