Clear the Air with Plants
Feeling a little stuffy at work? And I don't mean because the boss's wife
just signed on as the new bookkeeper. I mean about the air you breathe.
Why suffer? Clearing the air at work is as easy as bringing in a common
houseplant. A simple little plant can soak up toxins and circulate fresh
oxygen.
Plants have other benefits too. A few well-placed plants can instantly
liven up a dull cubicle or a featureless hallway. They add a soothing,
natural touch to an otherwise sterile office space. And they can even hide
unsightly computer and electrical cords.
In return, indoor plants demand very little and you don't need a green
thumb to get your mini "office garden" growing. Really, all you do is set
your office thermostat to a reasonable 60 to 75 degrees, set the plants in
a window or a corner (depending on light needs), and watch them grow.
OK, so most indoor plants do require a little care. You'll need to water
them on a regular basis. And most plants, especially large ones, need a
good dusting every other week or so. But for all the benefits plants bring
you?from better health to a greener work environment?watering and dusting
your newfound leafy friends is the least you can do!
To help you choose from the jungle of plant choices, we've compiled a list
of the top 10 plants for your office. These plants are recommended by
experts as the best at counteracting chemicals while balancing humidity in
the air:
1. Areca palm
2. Reed palm
3. Dwarf date palm
4. Boston fern
5. Janet Craig dracaena
6. English ivy
7. Australian sword fern
8. Peace lily
9. Rubber plant
10. Weeping fig
It's recommended that you use one plant for every 10 yards of floor space,
so go for the green. If you're unsure of your ability to keep your leafy
friends leafy, buy a few different kinds and take a Darwinian approach to
deciding which plants do best for you. The ones that survive and thrive
will clear the air and give you a sense of accomplishment!