How to combat the invisible menace of indoor air pollution with plants

With the rising AQI and depleting air quality in Mumbai, the problem of indoor air pollution has come to light. As thick smog blankets the city's skyline, the current statistics reveal alarming levels of pollution ranging from ‘very poor' to ‘unhealthy' on the SAFAR index. While we are exposed to the toxic air outdoors, the tiny particulate matter has infiltrated the indoor spaces to pose a major risk to our health.

In times like these, keeping the indoors clean becomes quintessential for overall well-being. We spend most of our time in spaces like offices and homes, thus the need to maintain the quality of indoor air becomes imperative. One of the most economical and time-efficient ways to achieve that is via planting. Indoor plants are emerging as dust-absorbing and air-purifying beasts that require very little maintenance. While the smog persists, Midday.com spoke to city-based interior designers and architects to shed light on the problem of indoor air pollution and how to tackle it.

Identifying the sources of indoor air pollution

Misbah Kapadia, the founder of Design Konstruct, highlights the importance of identifying the source of indoor toxicity as that makes it easier to combat the problem. "While the flow of air is important indoors, it makes way for dust and dirt that easily settles onto the carpets and doormats. Other factors are moisture and humidity which act as the primary sources for the growth of mold indoors. Another point to note is that fumes from mosquito coils, repellents, and cleaning chemicals exposed to us also significantly harm our health."

Being mindful of using chemical-free paints and polishes is extremely essential while planning indoor design, shares Reshma Chhabria, the founder at HIIH. "Ensuring all air conditioners are regularly maintained, avoiding artificial air fresheners, and using natural scents and candles are some of the other ways to avoid chemicals and pollutants in the house. Additionally, using air-purifying plants around corners of the house is a great way to tackle poor air quality."

Experts choice of indoor air-purifying plants:

Top picks by Tushar Mistry, the principal architect at TMDS:

Weeping Fig: This leafy plant aids in combating emissions from carpets, curtains, and furniture., shares that this plant needs to be placed in a bright, indirect light for some time. Keep it away from hot or cold air coming in from doorways, as this will cause leaves to fall. It's an enduring plant, so you'll be able to cherish its beauty for a long time.

Boston fern: An absolute choice for the bathroom, the Boston Fern grows well in low levels of light. So, you can place them in dark corners or shady spots where mold is likely to form.

Orchid plants: Orchids are one of the most beautiful houseplants and are good at brightening up the home décor. However, these vibrant florals are also good at absorbing moisture and keeping humidity levels down.

Top picks by Reshma Chhabria, founder and creative head at HIIH:

Money Plant: Apart from the belief that they bring prosperity, these are also great air purifiers.

Areca Palm: Stunning for corners and space breakers, they also clean up the air and keep one healthy.

Peace Lily: Pretty to the eyes and extremely effective in absorbing toxins from the air. It generates harmony in our dwelling spaces by creating a peaceful aura.

Chinese Evergreen: This plant has over 100 varieties, and it is truly a spectacular plant in every sense. This plant is known to filter out benzene and formaldehyde from one's surrounding area.

Top picks by Misbah Kapadia, founder at Design Konstruct:

Snake Plant: It is one of the most effective at filtering formaldehyde. It also aids in the removal of nitrogen dioxide. It takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen even at night. This is an excellent bedroom plant. It is compact enough for desks and can last for days without water.

Bamboo plants: This plant acts as a natural humidifier. It removes benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde while also adding moisture to the air.

Aloe Vera: Yet another effective plant with additional functional benefits for the skin. It works by releasing oxygen and absorbing the CO2 during the night - which means the air is being cleaned while you sleep! Spider plants are also one of the easiest indoor plants to care for if they are exposed to bright, indirect sunshine.

Are these plants 100% effective in trapping dust?
Plants are an ideal easy way to clean the air inside the house as they are great natural purifiers. Apart from being instrumental in home décor, they are also quite useful in removing toxins such as carbon monoxide from the air. Their efficacy really depends on the level of pollutants and contaminants present in the atmosphere, meteorological status, along with wind strength and direction. It is said that large leaf surfaces result in better entrapment of dust.

Is vertical planting a viable option?
It is an effective method to enhance the aesthetics of a home. The best part is that it requires minimum cleaning. The walls should be observed for insects and the plants require regular observation and maintenance. Add window boxes or hanging pots to enhance the elegant-looking hanging planter idea. Reuse a wooden pallet by creating a wall unit for potted plants--or just lean it up against the wall. It is advisable to use succulent plants in a vertical arrangement.

How often do indoor plants need cleaning and maintenance?
Houseplants need to be cleaned occasionally. They accumulate dust just like everything else in our home, so spending a little time a couple of months doing a spot of cleaning should be enough.

Advantages of adding indoor plants:

Fresh and lively interiors
While being surrounded by plants, grass, and freshness can be quite magical and revitalising, indoor plants, or houseplants, also generate a sense of lively interiors. Beautiful vertical gardens with magnificent moisture and containers nicely arranged in horizontal rows can be placed in the foyer. Even those branches or plant leaves can be given a glass vase look that is more stylish and unique.

Fillers of the negative space
Choose the best location for your indoor plants; if you have a small collection, you can keep them on open shelves or in windows, depending on how much light they require. The large ones you hold can be settled near a bed or sofa to make your room look more attractive with maximalist colours. Some attractive wall colours give a designer look to plants with different leaves.

Stress buster
Plants are stress busters. They reduce stress as they are living beings. Plants grow, and the changes that you see in them are as good as looking at growth and progress, so in a very micro way, they do reduce stress in your life when you have indoor plants. Create a theme for plant placement to get a heavenly feel.

Ambiance and decor
Indoor plants instantly change the ambience, making your décor stand out and completing it as they make the space feel cosier and fresher. They do this by not only enhancing the attractiveness of a space but also by transforming it into a warm, welcoming place to live or work.

Aromatherapy
When installed in offices, they aid in improving overall effectiveness at work by acting as aromatherapy for our bodies to reduce anxiety. They keep your body's oxygen levels in the optimum range too.

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