What effect does air pollution have on plants inside?

Bricksnwall Trusted Experts

A lot of the country is dealing with the challenges that come with the annual drop in the air quality index (AQI) after the Diwali holiday. This drop in air quality is bad for both people and plants and animals. The impacts of breathing in air that is too polluted are very clear, even for plants that live indoors. This post will teach you how air pollution can hurt indoor plants and what you can do to lessen the damage.

How Contaminants affect Plants inside

Pollutants affect plants' health in numerous ways. These are the signals you can look for to figure out which pollutant might be causing a certain problem.

CO, or Carbon Monoxide

Plants can't photosynthesise as well when there is more carbon monoxide in the air since there is less oxygen. When plants are exposed to high quantities of CO, their leaves tend to turn yellow and they grow more slowly. Plants could potentially die if they are exposed for a long time.

NO2, or Nitrogen Dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide is a prevalent contaminant in the exhaust from cars and some appliances. It can make it much harder for the plant to do photosynthesis, which can make the leaves become yellow or brown and stop growing. Very high levels for a long time could even hurt tissues at the structural level.

SO2, or Sulphur Dioxide

Even modest amounts of sulphur dioxide can be quite bad for the health of indoor plants. It makes dark patches on the foliage of more sensitive plants. They also stop photosynthesis and respiration, which makes the plants as a whole worse.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Dust, smoke, and other small particles can collect on plant leaves over time. This can obstruct sunlight and slow down photosynthesis. Particulate matter can also build up on the leaves' pores, which help the plant breathe.

Ozone (O3)

Some air purifiers and electronic devices can produce ozone inside, which can hurt plants. Ozone exposure is a major cause of leaf discolouration, early ageing, and slow growth. It can hurt plant cells and cause obvious damage like necrosis or leaf burns.

VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds

VOCs are gases that come from things like paints, varnishes, cleaning products, and some types of furniture. When they are in excessive amounts, they can be harmful to indoor plants. If the indoor air has a lot of VOCs, plants may wilt, shed leaves, and grow more slowly.

Mould and Fungal Spores that Grow within

Indoor mould spores are frequent in places that are damp, such those that are naturally humid. They often fight plants for nutrition and might hurt them by attacking their roots or leaves.

How to keep Plants Safe from Air Pollution

If you see any of these indicators on your houseplants, you need to do everything you can to stop them from happening again. Here are some things you can do:

Make the Air within Move around Better

When the air outside is clean, open windows and doors for a while to let fresh air in and stale air out. Put exhaust fans in places like kitchens and bathrooms where there is a lot of moisture. These fans will get rid of pollutants that come from cooking, gas appliances, and humidity, which can help mould grow. Finally, buy air purifiers, especially ones with HEPA filters, to catch dust, allergens, and other particles in the air. Stay away from the ones that make ozone, as this might hurt the plant even more.

Cut Down on Sources of Pollution inside

A lot of cleaning products that people use at home let out VOCs. By switching to eco-friendly, plant-based products instead of these, you can lower the amount of VOCs that are bad for people and plants. Air fresheners, candles, and incense are examples of products that have added scents that also release pollutants. Cutting back on the use of these kinds of items can help keep your plants from coming into contact with dangerous chemicals. You should also avoid smoking indoors because it is a fire hazard and the toxins in tobacco smoke can hurt plants and cause a lot of stress over time.

Choose Plants that Act as Natural Filters

Spider plants, snake plants, peace lilies, pothos, and rubber plants are all tough plants that can take a lot of pollution and poisons out of the air, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide. Adding these plants can help make the air cleaner and better able to handle pollutants. Putting the plants together in groups also makes their air-purifying impact stronger, which makes the micro-environment healthier for all the plants.

Cleaning the leaves on a Regular Basis

Dust and other pollutants tend to accumulate on leaves and obstruct light. To help the photosynthesis process, it is best to clean the leaves gently with a damp cloth and let them absorb light and gases better. Check for any dangerous compounds that could hurt your plants if you use leaf-shining sprays or insecticides on them. Instead, choose water or other natural remedies that are less harsh.

Keep the Humidity in Check

Indoor contaminants often do well in relatively dry or highly humid settings. To keep plants healthy and stop mould from growing, keep the humidity levels in your home between 40 and 50%. You can do this with a humidifier or dehumidifier, depending on how humid it is where you live.

Placing Plants at the Right Spots

Gas burners, fireplaces and other places that are often cleaned with harsh chemicals are not good places to put plants because they are some of the primary causes of indoor pollution. Instead, think about putting them somewhere with a lot of natural light, like near windows. Plants that get enough light are healthier and better able to handle contaminants.

Put in Carbon Filters

Carbon filters are really good at cleaning things up on their own. You can use activated charcoal in your home by planting it in the ground or putting it nearby to soak up extra VOCs and smells. This measure is particularly helpful for closed rooms where pollutants tend to linger in the absence of proper ventilation.

Keep an Eye on Pollution Outside

Keep up with the levels of pollution outside. If the air outside is very dirty, you should keep your windows closed and rely on interior ventilation instead, because being around polluted air could hurt the plants more than help them. It is best to keep your plants away from draughty windows because they tend to let in outside pollutants.