Comments on: The Environmental Impact of Indoor Plants

By: Bob Peeples, PE

Bob Peeples, PE — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:26:19 +0000

There is actually a small net absorption of carbon dioxide in the processes of respiration and photosynthesis used by plants. They do not add any carbon dioxide, but there is a common misconception that they do not respire. That is all that I was trying to point out.

Bob

By: Barry

Barry — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:22:46 +0000

Hi,

I have a small concern that my many trees and plants are adding C02 into my home at night while we sleep. Is this any reason for concern?

Barry

By: Missie

Missie — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:21:30 +0000

I love my plants! Right now I’ve got seven plants in my cubicle, two of them had to go home for transplanting but will be back in the spring to make nine! :-) I’ve got approximately 40 plants in my living room (the best light) and then a few in the rest of the rooms. I just love them! Ferns are my absolute favorite!

By: Bob Peeples, PE

Bob Peeples, PE — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:01:13 +0000

There are three important processes that need to be defined:

Transpiration is where water is moved from the soil and released through the stoma (pores at the bottom of the leaves, usually). It works like an evaporative cooler in the summer, and you can see this through the temperature drop when you drive through something like a cornfield on a summer evening. That’s the humidity thing, too.

Photosynthesis is exactly as you described but only occurs in direct light.

Respiration occurs in plants and animals both, but this occurs all of the time – day or night. Once you balance the respiration with the photosynthesis, the net numbers aren’t nearly as impressive. That’s pretty much the myth I was trying to bust. After dusk, plants are putting out carbon dioxide just like we are, but the net gain is slightly positive.

Bob

By: liyuukoo

liyuukoo — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 18:33:32 +0000

I am posting now from Shanghai,China,i am keeping a green leaves plant in my room,very day i feel delighted seeing it grow well and it’s fresh color.that’s the most significant of plants to me.hope hear your comments…..

By: Henry Stanton

Henry Stanton — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:07:05 +0000

I am not sure I’m clear what you are trying to refute above – that plants release Oxygen during respiration or that plant respiration “cancels out” animal respiration.

But, it’s basic Biology that photosynthesis takes 6 molecules of Carbon Dioxide and 6 molecules of water and creates one molecule of sugar and six molecules of Oxygen.

Oxygen is released during the process and animals breath the Oxygen. And, that Oxygen is surely beneficial to an animal breather.

Some studies show that a collection of plants may increase the relative humidity in a room and reduce the over-all particulate matter (dust) both of which appear to beneficial to human health.