IS there a doctor in the house?

 

YES, if you have house plants. Caroline Knight from Perfect Plants examines the role a few pots of greenery can perform in boosting our health.

ASK a depressed person about their sleeping habits - they're likely to tell you that their quality of sleep is poor. Many have trouble getting to sleep; staying asleep; getting up in the morning and being restless during the night. We all need a decent night's sleep in order to function well.

Good news! Did you know that there’s a range of plants that work the opposite way around to other plants? These give out oxygen at night and absorb carbon dioxide, making excellent bedroom companions.

Most plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen during the day during photosynthesis. At night, they take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. This is why plants used to be taken out of the bedroom at night.

However, some desert plants perform a different type of photosynthesis. They don’t open their stomata (tiny holes in the foliage) during the day in case they lose moisture, so their foliage releases oxygen at night. In addition, they absorb the carbon dioxide that we exhale.

So which plants are best at providing the perfect bedroom atmosphere? Most succulents are outstanding. The clue lies within their leaves, which are fleshy in order to store water.

Sansevieria, (snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue), is a really good one and also absorbs potentially harmful chemicals.

Schlumbergera (Easter and Christmas cactus) are excellent, as are bromeliads and orchids from jungle environments.

Beaucarnea recurvata (the pony tail palm), which stores water in its trunk, releases oxygen at night. Cacti and Aloe plants, including Aloe vera, do the same thing.

‘Growing’ fresh air has the potential to make a huge difference to those who want to improve the quality of their sleep.