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Panhandle Plantings

Houseplants for Health
by Val Ford, Holmes County Master Gardener

In a climate where many of us spend much of our time behind closed windows and doors – whether it be in air-conditioning or heating – certain plants can help create more healthful indoor environments by helping to remove the four major indoor, airborne contaminants:

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1) formaldehyde - a colorless gas given off from building materials (primarily pressed wood products such as hardwood plywood, particle board and medium-density fiberboard), furniture, permanent-press fabrics (draperies, clothing and upholstery), paper products, and some cosmetics; 5531901 (2) phenols - emitted by computers, TV sets, wallpaper, sugar substitutes and some cosmetics; (3) toluene and xylene - occuring naturally in crude oil and it’s by-products – gasoline, automobile exhaust, heating oil, paints, fabric dyes, inks and adhesives, paint removers, varnishes, rust inhibitors and stain removers.

A 2 - year research project by NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) tested 50 houseplants for their effectiveness in removing various indoor pollutants. Dr. B. C. Wolverton later expanded on this research and developed his list of the Top 20 Plants based on their ability to remove airborne toxins, resistance to insects, and most importantly – ease of growth and maintenance! One more element was factored in which is relatively important in Florida’s high humidity – the rate at which water evaporates from the leaves (transpiration). Anyone with allergies to molds and/or mildews should consider plants with lower water requirements, as the increased moisture levels resulting from transpiration can create increased health problems.

Whether you’re working from the full list of 50, or Dr. Wolverton’s abbreviated “Top 20”, virtually all of these plants have their origins in the tropical or sub-tropical “rainforest’ environment, requiring low or filtered light – very easy to accommodate indoors. Most of the plants are relatively inexpensive – available in any garden center – or better yet, many are ‘pass-along’ plants that family or friends will probably give you ‘starts’ from. Combine all of this with the fact that many of the plants are happiest when gnored – and even the laziest gardener has it made!

Enough of the background! Here’s the “Top 20” list . . .

Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) Lady Plam (Rhapis excelsa) Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) Rubber Plant (Ficus robusta) Dracaena “Janet Craig” (Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’) English Ivy (Hedera helix) Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) Ficus Alii (Ficus macleilandii ‘Alii’) Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’) Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum sp.) Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’) Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) Kimberley Queen Fern (Nephrolepis obliterata) Florist’s Mums (Chrysanthemum monifolium) Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) Dracaena ‘Warneckei’ (Dracaena deremensis ‘Warmeckei’) Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata) Red Emerald Philodendron (Philodendron erubescens) Arrowhead or Goosefoot Vine (Syngonium podophyllum) Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia ‘Exotica Compacta’) – poisonous if ingested.

When purchasing these plants, always be sure to check the botanical name on the labels. The same common name is often applied to several different plants – you want to make sure you’re getting the right plant for the job.

Val Ford is a Holmes County Master Gardener. If you have a gardening question or problem, contact your local Extension Office or e-mail Val at FLSnowflake7592@aol.com

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