Determining the Number of Plants for Your Home: A Guide
In a bid to create healthier and happier living spaces, NASA's groundbreaking Clean Air Study from 1989 identified about 18 plant species that effectively filter airborne toxins and convert carbon dioxide to oxygen, enhancing air quality[1]. These include the Spider Plant, Snake Plant, Peace Lily, Boston Fern, and Bamboo Palm, among others[1][3].
The study recommended having at least one houseplant per 100 square feet of indoor space[1][2]. This means that a 100 sq ft room would ideally have 1 plant, a 200 sq ft room would benefit from 2 plants, and a 500 sq ft room would need about 5 plants, and so on. This ratio balances effective air cleaning with practicality and aesthetics, providing continuous air purification and psychological benefits like improved mood and reduced stress.
Besides size, consider plant selection for your room’s light conditions (low, medium, or bright indirect light) for plant survivability and maximum benefit[4].
While the specific number of plants needed for optimal health and happiness in a home, according to the Plant Life Balance research, is not provided, similar contemporary studies on indoor plants and well-being confirm the importance of multiple plants distributed throughout living spaces to maintain good air quality and positive mental effects.
For instance, in a 4 by 5 metre room, ten plants maximize the health and wellbeing advantages, cleaning the air by up to 75%[5]. In a 3 by 3 metre room, two plants can produce up to 75% cleaner air and 50% better mental health[5]. In an 8 by 8 metre room, 32 plants offer maximum benefits, providing 75 percent cleaner air and 60 percent better mental health[5].
The Plant Life Balance research, in collaboration with RMIT University, aimed to provide a better understanding of how past and current plant research applies to modern living conditions[6]. The size of a plant and its leaf size impact its air-purifying abilities. Larger plants with more leaf surface area are more effective at air purification. The rate at which a plant can remove pollutants from the air is associated with the rate at which water is lost[6].
In addition to their air-purifying properties, plants have a favorable impact on local environments and human well-being. Higher productivity, relaxation, better sleep, and improved ability to deal with life are some health benefits of having plants[7]. Being in touch with nature, which our core brain developed in, leads to relaxation and enhanced functions like creativity and intuition[7].
Some plants are more efficient at filtering air due to the presence of more microbes in their roots[6]. Bill Wolverton, a NASA scientist, suggested at least two large plants for every 100 square feet (about 9.3 square meters) of indoor area to assist in filtering indoor air[6].
Scientific research has proven that plants have a favorable impact on local environments and human well-being, making them an essential addition to any home or office.
- The Spider Plant, Snake Plant, Peace Lily, Boston Fern, and Bamboo Palm are among the 18 plant species identified by NASA to filter airborne toxins and improve air quality.
- Having at least one houseplant per 100 square feet of indoor space is recommended for effective air cleaning, balancing practicality, aesthetics, and air quality enhancement.
- In a 4 by 5 metre room, ten plants maximize the health and wellbeing advantages, cleaning the air by up to 75%.
- In a 3 by 3 metre room, two plants can produce up to 75% cleaner air and 50% better mental health.
- In an 8 by 8 metre room, 32 plants offer maximum benefits, providing 75 percent cleaner air and 60 percent better mental health.
- Larger plants with more leaf surface area are more effective at air purification due to their increased ability to remove pollutants from the air.
- Scientific research has shown that plants have a favorable impact on local environments and human well-being, making them essential additions to home or office spaces for health, relaxation, better sleep, and improved ability to deal with life.
