FOR plantitos and plantitas out there who are looking for an indoor plant, there’s one that I recommend. You don’t have to be a green thumb for this plant. It doesn’t matter too if you live in an apartment where’s very little space. This plant is the most tolerant of all decorative plants, able to adapt to almost all harsh growing conditions and can survive abuse and neglect.
I’m talking about the Snake plant or Sansevieria (Dracaena trifasciata). Interestingly, this plant is also called Mother-in-Law’s Tongue because of its long and pointed shape (no offense to mother-in-laws). The plant is also called Bowstring-hemp and Saint Georges Sword (again due to its shape).
The Sansevieria is an ideal plant for indoor spaces because it is a superb air purifier. Studies, including those performed by Nasa, have consistently shown the plant to remove toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, toluene and nitrogen oxides. Yes plantitos and plantitas, it’s Nasa, as in National Aeronautics Space Administration, who did the study. The space agency probably did this experiment to find out how to provide oxygen and clean the air in space stations.
Other than the Snake plant, the Nasa study also cited other plants with great air purifying potentials. They are English Ivy, Peace Lily, Golden Pothos ( the aquatic plant which we bring to school back then), Janet Craig Plant (similar to a Fortune Plant) and Warneckii (I have a plant like this).
Among the plants cited in the study, the Snake plant is the best choice because it is easy to grow and maintain. It does not need a lot of water too, so watering once a week will suffice. As for sunlight, these plants will appreciate a light area but can survive in very low light conditions, that’s why they are great indoor plants. Now, I know why our neighboring office has Snake plants. I have several plants in my table, mostly fortune plants and cactus. It’s only recently that a friend gave me a Snake plant.
Most plants absorb Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and release Oxygen (O2) during the day. This process is called photosynthesis. The Snake plant is unique because it takes in CO2 and exhales O2 at night. This process is called the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) process of photosynthesis. It’s good to have a Snake plant in your in your bedroom. Studies show that higher oxygen levels promote deeper sleep.
How many Snake plants should you place indoors? Well, the Nasa study recommends at least 15 to 18 medium-to-large size plants for a 1,800-square-foot (167 square meters) home. Around six to eight plants are needed per person to survive if there is no air flow, like in outer space.
There are many varieties of Snake plants. The most common are the Sanseviera Laurentii, those with green leaves with bright yellow edges and Sanseveria Trifasciata which similar to Laurentii but without the yellow edges.