Plant Power

Air pollution damages the health of not only the planet but people too. It can’t be good to inhale those toxic emissions every time you go outside. But as we all know, the air inside can damage our lungs, incite allergic reactions and well, smell kinda funky.

But have you seen how much an air purifier costs?

I did a little research online to get an idea of the amount of money I would have to put out to clean my living space air and the range was between $300 and $800. These expensive air cleaners claim to remove impurities from the air utilizing a carbon filter but one issue for me is the fact that they need electric to work.

That immediately puts them on my list of appliances I can live without.

My two favorite methods for purifying my air used to be opening a window or lighting a scented candle. But not everyone lives in the county and state that claims to have the clearest air in the nation.

What to do… what to do…

I had to figure out a way to offset my carbon footprint, spend little or no money and of course improve the quality of the air in my home.

Of course, plants! Plants do the same things as trees by taking in carbon dioxide and emitting fresh clean oxygen in its place. Plant ownership could offset my carbon footprint and keep my happy home free of funky odors.

Apparently ivy, palms, ferns and lilies are the best plants for growing indoors and improving the air. You could grow from seed or pick a few starter plants up at the local greenhouse. After a season, new shoots should grow that can be clipped and used to start new plants.

Natural fertilizers like coffee grounds and eggshells will feed the plant and you could use salvaged rain water to give them a drink. If you pick up their replacement plant pots at yard sales and thrift stores, you can keep the carbon impact minimal.

So until the plants start growing, offset your carbon footprint with a few carbon credits. But be sure not to waste hundreds of dollars on items that could actually put you out of balance once again.

Choose the carbon neutral alternative. Choose plants.