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Why indoor plants are a necessity for apartment dewellers

Apartment living is having a negative effect on out wellbeing. - by Livia Gamble
  • 25 Jul 2017
Why indoor plants are a necessity for apartment dewellers
Mark Solarski/Unsplash

While apartment living has become a necessity for many, there’s a chance it’s having a negative effect on our wellbeing.

According to an article published on The Conversation, moving away from nature into urban environments has been linked with a rapid increase in chronic disease.

RELATED: Three plants to put in your bedroom for a better night’s sleep

"In the past children grew up running on bare soil and grass, explored backyard farms and gardens, climbed trees and were exposed to a high level of bacteria," writes Danica-Lea Larcombe, PhD Candidate in Biodiversity and Human Health, Edith Cowan University."

"The microbiota is the community of bacteria, fungi and viruses that live in our gut and on our skin. We need a diverse exposure for our body to fight inflammation effectively."

That’s where plants come in.

"The bacteria we have are similar to those of plants in that we both carry trillions of good and bad bacteria," Danica-Lea explains. "The diversity of the microbiota is measured by how many families of bacteria are present.

“We know the diverse plant microbiome influences plant growth, and humans benefit by eating plant foods.

"An important research question remains: do we gain another benefit simply by having contact with plants?"

RELATED: 5 plants that will grow better in your bathroom

There are a number of benefits to having plants around your apartment.

First of all, they remove carbon dioxide and other chemicals from the air and release oxygen.

As Danica-Lea points out, "Higher oxygen levels inside a small apartment mean well-being may be improved for the occupants."

Additionally, Dr Fraser Torpy, director of the University of Technology Sydney Plants and Indoor Environmental Quality Research Group told the ABC: "A medium-sized plant (anything above about 20cm) in a room will make really big reductions in chemicals."

Three plants for your apartment

Peace lily

objectmodern View Profile
1,545 likes - View Post on Instagram
Peace lily in her prime 🙌🏽 we took this picture a few weeks ago, when our plant was still blooming (and it made our black planter & walnut stand look pretty great 👌🏽) But lately this lovely plant has been looking a little out of sorts and run-down. It's hard to tell if it's just in between lily blooms or if something else is the problem! hopefully it'll bounce back and surprise us with a new lily bloom sometime soon 🌿 #crazyplantlady #peacelily #objectmodern

Danica-Lea says, "Peace Lily will reduce many toxins such as benzene, ammonia, acetone and ethyl and will prevent toxins from spreading between rooms in the apartment."

Aloe vera and Mother-in-Law’s Tongue

katieploesser View Profile
24 likes - View Post on Instagram
This is Dennis ☀️ . . . . . #aloevera #aloeveraplant #aloe #houseplant #oldlady #dennis #dennissystem #alwayssunny #alwayssunnyinphiladelphia #family #thirdchild

"These plants placed in the bedroom emit oxygen, which improves sleep quality."

Gerbera Daisy 

catherinegraceflach View Profile
24 likes - View Post on Instagram
Bella 🌱 #flowerlover #life #gerberadaisy #love #greenthumb #potd #vsco #vscocam

"If placed in the laundry these plants remove formaldehyde and benzene from the air, which are in common household detergents."

  • Garden
  • Indoor Plants
Livia Gamble
Livia Gamble
Based in Sydney, Livia Gamble will not sleep until she has discovered every possible way to use bi-carb soda and vinegar. When she isn’t reporting on ways to improve your home and garden, she can be found knitting socks (by choice) and will never say no to pizza.

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