NASA APPROVED OFFICE DECOR THAT LOOKS GOOD, ZAPS NEGATIVITY AND REDUCES SICK LEAVE.

We are firmly on the indoor plant (mega) bandwagon and as I look around my office I can count 16 green friends that bring a heap of joy to my current outlook. But it isn’t just aesthetics that indoor plants have to offer. A report compiled by NASA in 1989 is still being referenced today as a source for the positive impacts of plants on our lives indoors. The report, fondly referenced as the Clean Air Study (actually called the Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement, which we can agree is not so friendly for modern audiences), outlines the staggering results of indoor plants stripping a heap of nasties from our air!

“IF MAN IS TO MOVE INTO CLOSED ENVIRONMENTS, ON EARTH OR IN SPACE, HE MUST TAKE ALONG NATURE’S LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM.” - NASA

Some more modern research by CSIRO found that carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), were significantly higher inside than outside. The carpets, furniture, glues, computers, cleaning products, paints, perfumes, etc that we have in our homes and offices are releasing a whole lot of pollution into our spaces that we don’t even realise. However, research out of Uni of Tech Sydney says that introducing just 1 plant can help to improve air quality, decrease stress and negativity and help reduce the amount of sick leave people take.

So, if you’ve got a few itchy eyes, headaches, and woozy bellies in your office, or general feelings of stress and negativity, maybe it’s time to invest in some gorgeous indoor plants to suck up those pesky pollutants and add a little je ne sais quoi to your environment!

Here’s a few of our favourites, highlighting the ones NASA were particularly fans of:

DEVIL’S IVY OR POTHOS (EPIPREMNUM AUREUM) NASA APPROVED.

A fabulous beginner plant these guys tolerate a broad range of light levels and aren’t too fussy when it comes to watering. They are also super cheap, bonus!

SNAKE PLANT OR MOTHER-IN-LAWS TONGUE (SANSEVIERIA TRIFASCIATA) NASA APPROVED.

Especially handy when it comes to stripping the air of Formaldehyde and Benzene. They also look great in a basket on the floor or as snazzy room dividers in planter boxes!

ZANZIBAR GEM (ZAMMIOCULCAS ZAMIIFOLIA).

Touted as being ‘indestructible’ the info sticker that came with our Gems said ‘DO NOT WATER THIS PLANT’, so we haven’t and they are thriving! A dream for busy offices where no one is too sure who is meant to water the plants and assumes someone else has! Not NASA Approved, but we’re sure if they had a 30th anniversary re-experiment ZZ would make the cut!

PEACE LILY (SPATHIPHYLLUM) NASA APPROVED.

Pretty Lily’s tolerate low light and are one of the powerhouses when it comes to sucking up the bad stuff and sending out the sweet, sweet oxygen! Their droopiness will give you a clue they’re thirsty and as long as you tune in to that they will bounce back quick, like within the hour!

A WHOLE LOT OF THE DRACAENA FAMILY.  ALL NASA APPROVED.

Notable mentions to siblings Dragon Tree (Marginate), Mass Cane (Massangeana) and my favourite ‘Janet Craig’ (Dermensis). Perfect to pop in a corner or where you need a bit of height and architectural influence this fam has got you covered! They also performed well on the air cleaning side of the equation.

RUBBER PLANT (FICUS ELASTICA).

Another one that wasn’t on NASA’s radar in 1989 but we couldn’t leave this ‘it’ plant of 2018 off the list. We’ve propagated 5 baby ficus off our main squeeze and the gentle misting they so desire is a relaxing timeout during a busy week!

AND DID WE MENTION POTHOS?

Seriously, we have 11 of these in our home office. They’re growing in pots, in water, in the bathroom, in the kitchen, and the speed they grow, and those gorgeous long tentacles are soo satisfying!

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We’d love to hear about your favourite office plants and how they impact your space! Comment below or head over to our socials (linked in the footer!)

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Sources: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19930073077.pdf, https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2016-03-09/how-houseplants-can-help-reduce-indoor-pollution/7230094

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