New Study Highlights Reasons to Celebrate Indoor Plant Week with Costa Farms

National Indoor Plant Week is just around the corner - and New research from the State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego) gives us more of a reason to celebrate on September 18. 

Research shows how effectively houseplants remove multiple toxins, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), that contribute to the buildup of indoor air pollution.

Five Fab Reasons to Grow House Plants for National Indoor Plant Week

Houseplants are almost magical when it comes to indoor décor: They work with just about every theme and style, from modern contemporary to casual and cottagey. And they instantly make any space more comfy and cozy. But houseplants are more than just good-looking home décor.

Generations of people have enjoyed the beauty of plants in their indoor spaces. Here are some reasons to celebrate during the third week in September.

Costa Farms Supports National Indoor Plant Week for Cleaner Indoor Air

Join the national effort for cleaner, fresher indoor air in homes, schools and workplaces and support National Indoor Plant Week and Costa Farms' national grassroots campaign, ‘O2 for You’: Houseplants with a Purpose, on September 15-21, 2013!

This week-long initiative was created to raise consumer awareness on the value and benefits of live indoor houseplants.

Event founder Mark Martin from Interior Tropical Gardens says, “We like to say that the ‘oxygen arrives when the plants do.’”

‘O2 for You’: Houseplants with a Purpose has been spreading awareness since 2008 on how live houseplants can cleanse indoor air from chemical pollutants (volatile organic compounds) emitted from products and materials found in homes and offices. Check out where it all began in NYC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0V1w-NnCKbI.

Besides removing carbon dioxide and giving back oxygen, emerging research indicates that certain varieties of indoor houseplants work best to help cleanse interior spaces of indoor pollutants and improve productivity in offices where we spend most of our day.

Plus, studies from the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) have found that levels of indoor air pollution can be two to five times higher - and in some cases 10 times more polluted than outdoor air. And since most of us spend about 90 percent of our time indoors, these findings are particularly alarming.

This is where nature’s natural air purifiers take center stage. Working 24/7, certain plants absorb almost all volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) in indoor air. These toxic VOC’s are common chemicals like ammonia, formaldehyde and benzene emitted from products you may already have in your home and office like carpets, printer ink, tobacco smoke and cleaning products.

During National Indoor Plant Week and throughout the month of September, look for varieties such as peace lilies, ferns and spider plants with ‘O2 for You’ plant tags at your local retailer and reap the benefits of these hardworking plants.

Throughout the week, people are encouraged to use social media to share messages about the many benefits of indoor plants and how they not only cleanse our indoor spaces but help reduce stress, as they brighten up any room with beautiful foliage and color.

For more information on National Indoor Plant Week, visit http://www.nationalindoorplantweek.com. To learn more about ‘O2 for You’: Houseplants with a Purpose, visit http://www.o2foryou.org.

National Indoor Plant Week In Full Swing

Are you joining in the national effort for cleaner, fresher indoor air in our homes, schools and workplaces? National Indoor Plant Week (September 16-22) is in full swing with several companies giving out free plants and retailers showcasing some great displays with houseplants (see images). This grassroots initiative was created to raise awareness of the value and benefits of live indoor plants.  They're more than just a pretty face; they're our "green heroes"! 

During National Indoor Plant Week and throughout the month of September, look for indoor houseplants such as peace lilies, ferns, palms and spider plants with bright ‘O2 for You’ plant tags at local retailers.

So, go out and buy yourself some fresh air for yourself and your family!

To learn more about houseplants and their benefits, visit www.o2foryou.org.

-Stacey
Garden Media Group

Houseplants 101 from Costa Farms

It isn't necessary to turn your house into a tropical jungle to get the most from houseplants. In fact, just a few well-placed, well-grown houseplants can contribute to a lived-in coziness to any room, whether it's filled with Victorian clutter or spare streamlined furnishings. The trick is to give the plants what they want in terms of light, water, humidity, fertilizer, and a good soil mix, and they'll perform like they were back in their native environment.

Check out this video from Costa Farms to learn the ins and outs of houseplants!

-Stacey
Garden Media Group

Mark Your Calendars for National Indoor Plant Week

We're excited to help spread the word about National Indoor Plant Week (September 16-22), a grassroots initiative that was created to raise awareness of the value and benefits of live indoor plants.

Did you know that research indicates that certain varieties help purify interior spaces and improve productivity in offices where we spend most of our day? Studies from the US Environmental Protection Agency have found that levels of indoor air pollution can be 2-5 times higher - and in some cases 10 times more polluted than outdoor air.

This is where the indoor plants come in! These green heroes, as we like to call them, provide truly amazing benefits. Working 24/7, certain plants absorb almost all volatile organic compounds (VOC's) in indoor air. These VOC's are common chemicals like ammonia, formaldehyde and benzene found in many products around your home and office, like carpets, printer ink, tobacco smoke and cleaning products.

During National Indoor Plant Week and through the month of September, look for varieties such as peace lilies, palms, ferns and spider plants, with 'O2 for You' plant tags at your local retailer. These are the hardest working plants when it comes to cleaning your air!

Please help us spread the word about the about the many benefits of indoor plants! For more information on National Plant Week visit www.nationalindoorplantweek.com). To learn more about 'O2 for You: Houseplants with a Purpose' visit www.o2foryou.org.

-Stacey

Garden Media Group