VOCs—you’ve probably heard about those nasty volatile organic compounds that can cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, and even damage to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system. VOCs are released into the air from things like synthetic carpeting, harsh cleaning supplies, and even the paints and varnishes you use to beautify your home and office. Levels tend to be 2-5 times higher indoors. New studies—including some by the science guys themselves over at NASA—continue to show that houseplants can rid some of these toxins from your air. Home improvement stores have even begun to label which plants are the best air purifiers, among them English ivy, spider plants, pot mums, and rubber plants.
The problem then, is not acquiring indoor plants, it’s keeping them alive. VOCs may be harsh but those of us without a green thumb know how unintentionally cruel we too can be. With these easy pointers, developing a green thumb may be easier than you think.
Put a pencil in it! The most common mistake of caring for plants is overwatering. You may think the plant is dying because it’s too dry but it may actually be rotting from too much water. Don’t know when it’s time to water? Insert a sharpened pencil about an inch into the soil. If it comes out clean, your plant is dry and needs water. If the soil sticks to the tip, wait and check again in a day or two. Remember to water slowly and reasonably—don’t drown your plants!
Get a little shady: Not all plants like bright light. If your plant seems sick, it might actually be overheating from too much sun. Before moving your plant into brighter light, research its light needs. If it does call for a direct sun location, place the plant in front of a south facing window. As residents of the Northern Hemisphere, these windows receive the most direct sunlight.
Eat your veggies. The cooled water from cooking vegetables is full of the nutrients plants need and a great way to conserve water. Plants also love rainwater so consider purchasing a rain barrel if you don’t already have one.
Tell them how you feel. Your grandmother wasn’t kidding about talking to your plants—especially if you’re a woman. The Royal Horticulture Society found that tomato plants grew up to two inches taller when spoken to!
For more tips on plant care, read the Instructables article on how to keep indoor plants alive. Youtube also has a wide variety of how-to videos available—from caring for tropical plants to how to tell when it’s time to water! Good luck!
With much of the buzz about “greening your home” focusing on large-scale projects like solar panels, green roofs, and LEED certification, it may appear that you can only achieve a green home if you are a homeowner. If you rent a home or apartment, energy efficiency projects with long payback periods may not make sense for you. As a renter you probably also experience the “split incentives” dilemma, where the landlord has little financial incentive to invest in making the building more energy efficient because the tenant is responsible for paying the utility bills.
