There are many benefits of indoor plants. As heating or air conditioning dries out the air, which can lead to respiratory problems or skin irritation, the plant “sweats” and gives off water vapor, increasing the humidity level from 2 to 5%, and generally making the atmosphere more pleasant for its occupants. It also emits negative ions, particles supposed to fix dust, improve breathing and well-being. Finally, plants absorb certain pollutants, which further contributes to improving the quality of the air in confined spaces. Not to mention that their sight has a restful and stress-relieving effect.
Are these benefits proven?
The positive effect of the presence of green plants in our interiors has mainly been studied in the context of the work. It has thus been attested by the European campaign “Plants and well-being in the workplace”, carried out in several countries including France. The researchers have verified that living with plants leads to a drop in blood pressure, a reduction in muscle tension and an improvement in productivity. The Canadian Horticultural Therapy association has even quantified that the presence of plants in a office increases the productivity of people who work on a computer by 12%. Equally eloquent results were obtained in a study from the University of Exeter (England) published in late 2013. Through a series of 90 experiments, she verified that a plant in the office makes more productive and creative, and could improve staff well-being by 47%. This is confirmed by the experiment carried out in the X-ray department of the Radiological Hospital in Oslo: a few jars were enough to reduce absenteeism from 15.85% to 5.55%.
If plants offer an economical means of improving both employee and employer satisfaction, their calming virtues are evident, of course, regardless of the premises. In our homes, such as in hospitals, where patients report feeling less pain, anxiety and fatigue when they have plants nearby. When will prescription green be available?
Can too many plants be harmful?
It seems obvious: a green plant is ecological! Indeed, without the photosynthesis of plants – including algae and phytoplankton from the oceans – we would have been running out of oxygen on earth for a long time. However, if forests are the “lung of the planet”, wanting to plant one at home is not necessarily a great idea. Not only do plants retain dust, which is not ideal for breathing, except by cleaning them regularly and carefully. Worse, such a profusion would risk increasing the humidity level in the home too greatly and few of us would cope with living 24 hours a day in a greenhouse. In all, excess is often the enemy of good.
Are some plants dangerous for children or animals?
Indeed, some plants are toxic for humans as well as for animals. Among the most widespread: the love apple tree (Solanum pseudocapsicum), with red fruits so decorative and so dangerous; dieffenbachia, capable of burning mucous membranes, triggering edema of the tongue and respiratory disorders; or even poinsettia (Christmas star), phylodendron and rubber. “Be careful if you cut it, because its latex attacks the eye, in addition to being toxic when ingested,” warns Francis Leclere, interior landscaper in Île-de-France and member of Expert Jardins. Plants to be carefully put out of reach of young children and quadrupeds. Another healthy precaution, according to the professional: do the same with all species furnished with quills such as cactus, yucca or mini-rose. Certain plants can also cause skin irritations (primrose, spurge, gerbera, chrysanthemum, dahlia, alstroemeria, tulip, hydrangea), whether or not they are of origin. allergic. It is safer and more hygienic to wear gloves to deal with it. Finally, ficus and ivy are more and more often involved in respiratory allergies. Better to avoid these species in families with allergies.