Too far! Way, WAY too far!

So, Husband thought that since we’re currently downsizing we should downsize our houseplants, too.  We have this many:

Plus an Aerogarden in the bedroom that’s growing herbs.  Most of these plants are the children of just two: a spider plant my Mom gave Husband and I as a “happy life together” plant, and some sort of cactus-y thing we got as a housewarming gift several years ago.  Here’s a close-up of one of the cactus-y things… anyone know what it is?

A Baby Cactusy Thing

Anyway, the conversation went something like this:

HUSBAND: I think we should get rid of some of our houseplants.  They’re unitaskers, and we hate unitaskers.  They don’t *do* anything, and they just take up space.

ME:   Yes, we do hate unitaskers.  Stupid uni…Wait, WHAT?  No more pretty green pets for me?  Too far.  Way, WAY too far!  Houseplants can’t be downsized!  They… they’re my pretty green pets!

Husband did not seem convinced that we should, in fact, transport my lovelies to our new abode (oh, the horror of leaving them behind!  It’s bad enough when the tomato plants die at the end of the season!!!), and thusly, today’s post:

THE BENEFITS OF KEEPING (pretty, lovely, green-and-fuzzy) HOUSEPLANTS:

1. Plants absorb Carbon Dioxide, Benzene, Formaldehyde, and Trichloroethylene, substances known as VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that live  in upholstery, particle board, paper towels (EVIL, EVIL PAPER TOWELS!), carpets, and permanent press clothing.  They also release oxygen into the air.  I don’t know about you, but I for one am totally, totally addicted to oxygen.

2. Plants keep you healthy by increasing humidity and decreasing dust in the air.  According to a study out of Norway, people who have houseplants get colds 30% less often than people who don’t.  W00t, planty plants!

3. Plants reduce noise pollution. That’s right.  If you’re tired of listening to your neighbor’s phone ringing, fill up your house with high-frequency sound absorbing greenery.

4. Plants increase productivity, decrease stress, and increase creativity.  They also increase Chi, if you’re into that sort of thing. Take some to work with you, too!  I found one study that guarantees you can avoid the “afternoon slump” just by putting a potted plant on your desk.  I don’t know about that, but at least you’ll have someone to talk to when you’re trapped in that little cubicle.

5. Plants symbolize friendship. Okay, that’s not actually a benefit, but it is rather nice, don’t you think?

Anyway, I didn’t just make all this up.  Even NASA agrees with me!

Here’s a list of common household plants and what they remove from the air: Super Plants!

And here’s a blog post I totally dig: AWESOMELY AWESOME HOUSEPLANTS, AND WHY WE LOVE THEM.

So.  That settles that.  We’ll be taking the houseplants.  NASA says so.  })i({