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Home Indoor Plants

Why Are Plants Good for Your Home?

Overt the past hundred years, we’ve been experiencing rising pollution levels. The most affected are people who live in big and densely populated cities. The pollution ruins everything from our skin and hair to our body’s own immune system. Also, contrary to popular belief, pollution isn’t just outside our homes, but it is within it.

Have you ever heard of the term Sick Building Syndrome? It is a term that’s used to describe symptoms that are experienced by regular healthy people working in a large building. The people in this building will often suffer from eye irritation to allergies and dizziness. The disorder was first mentioned in 1989 by Dr Bill Wolverton, who found that when the occupants of a building are away for a while, the symptoms quickly diminish. Indoor plants can help to rectify the situation and in many cases, prevent it too.

Plants Make it Easier to Breathe

Every time we breathe, the body absorbs oxygen and discharges carbon dioxide. On the other hand, plants will absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis. The opposing pattern of generating gases by plants and man, make them naturally compatible.

When plants are added to interior spaces, it increases the levels of oxygen. At night when photosynthesis stops, that’s when plants will respire like human beings, i.e. absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. However, a couple of plants like epiphytic bromeliads, orchids and succulents work oppositely by absorbing carbon dioxide and in turn releasing oxygen. So, these are the types of plants you’ll want in the bedroom at night.

Release Water

Part of the photosynthetic process is releasing water. Plants will often release water vapor, which in turn increases the humidity in the room. It is estimated that most plants will release around 97% of the water that they absorb.

When you have several plants placed together, they can increase the room’s humidity which keeps respiratory issues at bay. The Agricultural University of Norway showed that using plants indoors decreases instances of colds, dry skin, dry cough and sore throat.

Plants Purify the Air Indoors

Plants are known to remove a myriad of toxins from the air. Around 87% of all volatile organic compounds can be removed within 24 hours according to studies by NASA. The VOCs as they are called includes formaldehyde that is present in many areas of the home, as well as benzene that’s found in high concentrations in everything from books to newspapers.

The latest climate-controlled buildings are airtight with VOCs trapped in them. So, by adding plants, it is possible to purify the air by removing contaminants.

Good for Health in General

Adding indoor plants to any room has been shown to improve general health. When added to hospital rooms, studies show that it had a marginal improvement in the health of sick people. It also helps ease medical issues like blood pressure and lowers the heart rate.

According to a study by the Dutch Product Board for Horticulture, plants in the workplace decreased headaches, colds, fatigue and other issues, which points to the positive effects of adding plants to any indoor space.

 

If you have questions about plant care in your home, please contact us.

Access Plants is a full service Marin County plant maintenance services company serving the entire Bay Area.

 

COVID 19 Restaurant Plants

With Indoor Dining Opening, How to Use Plants for Your Restaurant During COVID-19

After months of lockdowns, the public has been anticipating the opening of indoor dining. Many larger cities like San Francisco have been notified when reopening they could be around 20% of capacity for restaurants.

While many restaurants prepare for indoor dining to reopen, with special seating arrangements, the fact is that social distancing measures will still be in place. The measures will continue to be in place until a vaccine is introduced. So, how can a restaurant deal with a reduced amount of patrons, while at the same time make their space more inviting and healthy? The answer to that is indoor plants.

Your Restaurant Has More Space for Plants

Now if your restaurant is operating at 20% of its regular seating capacity, there is a lot of free space. While open space is good, it does not exactly look great if there is a lot of it. Furthermore, it gives the impression of the restaurant being empty or unpopular, which isn’t a good thing either.

Fortunately, you now have more space for indoor plants. As a restaurant owner, adding more plants to your space will make it healthier and give it a more organic look. Plus, it fills in all that empty space which makes your restaurant look less empty. Additionally, many people prefer being seated next to a plant as opposed to a wall with a few patrons on the other side.

Plants Make Social Distancing Feel Less Anti-Social

Restaurants have traditionally been places where people meet up. However, new social distancing measures means that you won’t be able to spot someone you know across the lobby and walk up to them. Instead, you’re expected to remain in your own space, which quite frankly feels counterintuitive.

As a restaurant owner, the safety of your patrons is paramount. Yet at the same time, you don’t want people feeling as though they are being strong-armed into following social distancing measures if anything that sends out the wrong signals.

By adding plants between tables, and in between empty spaces, you’re not only putting some distance between patrons, but it feels more natural. It offers your patrons the safety and security they deserve while at the same time, creating a calm and organic dining experience.

When plants are placed strategically, they can also reduce noise which is always a good thing.

Plants Make Your Restaurant Smell Better

Any number of plants when used correct work as a natural deodorant. Plus, flowering plants can make your restaurant smell fresh and clean. The only challenge is perhaps finding the right plants and placing them in the right areas. Fortunately, a plant expert, many of whom also sell indoor plants can help you with it.

Conclusion

Today with indoor dining opening in many states, now is the best time to make sure that your restaurant offers patrons a safe space. By using plants, you can create an aesthetically pleasing experience for everyone while enforcing mandatory social distancing measures.

If you have questions about plant care in your home, please contact us.

Access Plants is a full service Marin County plant maintenance services company serving the entire Bay Area.

indoor plant care marin county
Productivity

Productive Plants

Studies have also proven that indoor plants improve concentration and productivity (by up to 15 percent!), reduce stress levels, and boost your mood. This, making plants perfect for not just your home but your workspace, too.

At work, place plants, especially those with broad leaves, on your desk; they will help regulate humidity and increase levels of positivity — seeing greenery and nature help us feel more relaxed and calm, which in turn benefits your everyday mood. Indoor plants serve a practical and aesthetic purpose and will enhance your life.

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Uncategorized

Plants help lower background noise

Plants have long been used to reduce noise from busy roads. More recently, research has shown another benefit: interior plants can help to reduce background noise levels inside buildings, too. Using plants that have large leaves, stems, and trunks have more surface area to help reduce noise.

Do Plants Help to Absorb Sound?

There’s quite a bit of research on the subject, but the short answer is yes. The flexible and porous nature of indoor house plants acts as natural sound reducers. With our indoor plant care expertise, we’ll find the right plants to fit your space.

How Plants Reduce Indoor Noise Levels?

As I mentioned above, plants reduce noise levels through three different methods: deflection, absorption, and refraction.

  • Deflection – Sound waves tend to bounce around off hard surfaces. That’s where all that added noise comes from. Walls are rigid and will amplify sound, while plants are flexible and help to deaden the sound by breaking up the sound waves into other forms of energy.
  • Absorption – Plants are great at absorbing sound because of the leaves, branches, and wood. Wood is a great sound absorber. Have you ever walked through a forest and been amazed at the silence? That’s because the trees are absorbing all the ambient noise.
  • Refraction – Refraction is taking away the echoes of the sound bouncing off the hard surfaces. Plants will help to refract this noise and eliminate the echoes which are responsible for much of the added noise in your home or office.

Depending on how many, variety and their placement plants can absorb up to 50% of the sound energy being produced in your home or office. That’s quite a reduction.

2019 by BetterSoundproofing.com

Research by an international team in 2014 showed that people who worked in offices with leafy green plants concentrated better and were 15 percent more productive than those who went about their day in spartan offices without them.

1School of Psychology, Cardiff University.

2School of Psychology, University of Exeter.

3Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen.

4School of Psychology, University of Queensland.