Meghan Hodges
Plants are nature's air purifiers, absorbing carbon dioxide and supplying oxygen for humans and animals to breathe. They can also help combat breathing problems by removing airborne pollutants and improving indoor air quality. While reducing emissions at the source is the best way to address air pollution, plants can play a significant role in mitigating it. This includes planting particular trees to improve local air quality and installing green walls and screens as barriers to busy roads. Additionally, sustainable gardening practices that minimize the use of chemicals can help reduce stormwater pollution and protect local waterways.
How to protect plants from pollution
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Avoid | Landscaping, excessive use of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and over-irrigation |
| Use | Compost bin, mulch, fewer chemicals, Mediterranean Hackberry plant, Littleleaf Linden plant, Norway Maple plant, Turkey Oak plant, Ginkgo biloba plant, Spider plant, Snake plant, Peace Lily, Boston Fern, Madagascar Dragon Tree, India Rubber Tree, Wallflower, Common ivy, Lady's Mantle |
| Other methods | Green walls and screens, living walls, green spaces, air quality gardens |
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What You'll Learn
Avoid chemicals and over-irrigation in your garden
Protecting your plants from pollution is also about protecting the environment from pollution. Typical gardening activities such as landscaping, excessive use of fertilisers, herbicides, and pesticides, and over-irrigation can lead to stormwater pollution. Here are some tips to avoid chemicals and over-irrigation in your garden:
- Only use chemicals when it is not windy and more than 48 hours from a rainstorm. Runoff containing garden chemicals is a major contributor to harmful algal blooms in fresh and coastal waters.
- Minimise the use of chemicals in your garden. For example, you can start your own compost bin and reuse all of your organic waste to fuel your garden. This will create nutrient-rich material to feed your garden, help prevent disease, and retain moisture.
- Avoid over-irrigation by using water-efficient irrigation systems and watering your plants only when they need it.
- Choose plants that are suitable for your local environment and require less water.
- Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil and prevent water runoff.
- Consider the scale and context of your garden setup, the spatial setup, ventilation, and maintenance.
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Create a living wall or roof with plants
Living walls and roofs are a great way to protect plants from pollution. They are especially useful in urban settings, where they can help lower a building's carbon footprint by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Living walls are ideal for small gardens, as they bring life to an otherwise unused space.
Living Roofs
If you want to install a living roof, the first step is to assess whether your roof can support a garden. Flat roofs are the easiest to install and maintain living gardens on, while roofs with a low slope may require a reinforcing system such as a tray planting or terracing system to hold the soil in place. Steeper slopes will definitely require such a system.
Once you've ensured that your roof is strong enough, it's time to start preparing the roof for planting. If you're using trays, you'll need to create a roof that will accommodate the width and length of the trays without leaving gaps. You can then fill the trays with a lightweight soil mix, such as an 85% blend of an aggregate like expanded shale, slate, or volcanic rock, with 15% organic potting soil. This type of soil mixture absorbs water, drains well, doesn't compact, and is light.
After preparing the soil, it's time to plant your garden. A wide range of plants do well in rooftop gardens, including regional natives, herbaceous perennials, ground covers, succulents, sedums, herbs, and some edibles. When selecting plants, opt for those that are low-maintenance, shallow-rooted, and drought-resistant. Plants that stay green year-round are also a good choice, as they will keep your roof looking vibrant during winter when other plants are dormant.
Living Walls
Living walls are a great way to add interest to vertical surfaces in tiered gardens. They can be planted with annuals, perennials, herbs, or vegetables and can be purchased as simple kits that are easy to put together. When creating a living wall, it's important to consider the lighting in the area. Natural light is the best option, but if natural light is unavailable, supplemental light fixtures can be used to increase the variety of plants that can be supported.
When selecting plants for your living wall, opt for those that are relatively compact, less than 50cm, or able to withstand regular pruning. Group the plants vertically or in angled drifts to prevent taller plants from shading out those below. Introduce the plants at a small size to make it easier for them to get established.
To plant a living wall, fill a tray with peat-free, multipurpose compost that contains slow-release fertiliser. Firm it down, then attach the top panel using cable ties. Plant a plug into each module, using a teaspoon to make a hole in the compost. You can plant a single variety in each tray or create a more natural look by planting drifts of varieties in angled 'ribbons' across panels. Thoroughly water the plants, then attach the tray to your fence or wall using the supplied living wall brackets. Finally, connect the in-built irrigation system from one tray to the next, then attach it to the mains water supply.
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Choose houseplants that absorb indoor air pollutants
While the belief that houseplants can clean indoor air is common, some sources argue that the jury is still out on this. However, several studies have shown that indoor plants can indeed enhance air quality, remove pollutants, and reduce the spread of bacterial and fungal infections.
NASA research has found that living plants are efficient at absorbing contaminants in the air, and certain houseplants are known for their air-purifying abilities. Here are some houseplants that you can choose from to absorb indoor air pollutants:
- Spider plant: Also known as an air plant, the spider plant grows and spreads quickly. It fights against carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and benzene. Spider plants do not require direct sunlight or cold weather, making them easy to care for.
- Snake plant: Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue due to its shape and texture, the snake plant is low-maintenance and known for filtering formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, and benzene from the air. Unlike regular plants, snake plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen at night.
- Philodendrons: One of the most popular houseplants, philodendrons are excellent air purifiers that remove formaldehyde gases. They have quick-growing trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves. Philodendrons can thrive in full sun or shade as long as they are watered regularly.
- English Ivy (Hedera helix): English Ivy is a popular and hardy plant that is easy to grow and removes most pollutants. It tolerates low light and cool temperatures but does not like high temperatures. To discourage spider mites, keep the plant moist and spray its leaves weekly.
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum sp.): A beautiful plant with white flowers, the peace lily thrives in average indoor temperatures.
In addition to these specific plants, you can also consider creating your own compost bin to reuse organic waste and fuel your garden. Composting helps prevent disease, retains moisture, and provides nutrient-rich material for your plants. However, be mindful of overwatering to prevent mold growth, which can trigger allergies and asthma symptoms. Also, be cautious of pests and dust on plants, as these can potentially cause respiratory issues. To avoid stormwater pollution, minimize the use of gardening chemicals and only apply them when it is not windy and at least 48 hours before rainfall.
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Plant trees to improve local air quality
Plants and trees are oxygen-generating factories that can help combat air pollution. They cleanse the air, absorb carbon dioxide and supply oxygen for humans and animals to breathe. While reducing emissions at the source is the best way to address air pollution, planting trees can play a significant role in mitigating it.
There are several ways to plant trees to improve local air quality:
- Planting specific tree species: Some tree species are better at absorbing pollutants and carbon dioxide than others. For example, the Norway Maple tree can absorb five tons of carbon dioxide within 30 years. The Turkey Oak tree is another excellent choice for absorbing high amounts of carbon dioxide and freshening the air. The Mediterranean Hackberry plant is also known for its high carbon dioxide absorption capabilities.
- Creating green spaces and gardens: Green spaces and gardens can significantly improve air quality. This includes planting a variety of outdoor plants and trees, as well as incorporating living walls and green roofs. Living walls, such as those made with plants like sedum, hedera, thyme, and vinca, can act as effective pollution barriers in urban areas and near busy roads. Green roofs are easy to build and provide additional environmental benefits.
- Community projects and urban planning: Planting trees and creating green spaces can be done through community projects and urban planning initiatives. This may involve collaborating with local organizations and governments to identify suitable locations for air quality gardens and green spaces. It can also include the implementation of green infrastructure in urban areas, such as parks, roadside greenery, and green corridors.
- Plant maintenance and optimization: Proper maintenance and optimization of plants are crucial for improving air quality. This includes regular care, such as watering and pruning, as well as considering factors like plant selection, spatial setup, ventilation, and supplementary vegetation effects on temperature and water. Additionally, it is essential to follow sustainable gardening practices, such as reducing the use of chemicals and avoiding over-irrigation to prevent stormwater pollution.
By following these guidelines and incorporating trees and plants into our local environments, we can effectively improve air quality and create healthier and more sustainable living spaces.
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Start composting to reduce your environmental footprint
Composting is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint. It is nature's way of recycling and can be done with minimal effort, equipment, expense, and expertise. By composting, you can transform your waste into beneficial, nutrient-rich material to fuel your garden.
To start composting, set up a compost bin and begin collecting your organic waste, such as food scraps, leaves, grass clippings, and flower clippings. You can even throw in some dead leaves to create a rich mixture. Composting reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, which is often incinerated, releasing carbon emissions and contributing to air pollution. By composting, you can reduce your carbon footprint and improve air quality.
Composting also helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. When organic waste decomposes in landfills, it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. By composting, you can reduce methane emissions by keeping food waste out of landfills. Composting also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, as compost is a natural fertilizer that enriches the soil and enhances plant growth.
In addition to reducing waste and emissions, composting has other environmental benefits. Compost helps to build healthy soils by improving their ability to absorb and retain water, reducing erosion and flooding, and increasing agricultural yields. It also sequesters carbon, storing it in the soil instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. This further helps to mitigate climate change.
By starting a compost bin and reusing your organic waste, you can play a part in reducing your environmental impact. Composting is a simple and effective way to protect the environment, improve soil health, and enhance the growth of plants. It is a natural process that can be easily incorporated into your daily routine, benefiting both your garden and the planet.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few ways to protect your plants from pollution. Firstly, you can create a living wall or roof using a variety of plants, such as wildflowers, sedum, hedera, thyme, or vine. This acts as a pollution barrier, especially near busy roads and in urban areas. Secondly, you can choose plants that are known for their ability to combat specific types of pollution. For example, spider plants combat carbon monoxide, while peace lilies are effective at removing ammonia. Finally, you can practice sustainable gardening methods that reduce stormwater pollution, such as composting and minimising the use of chemicals like pesticides and fertilisers.
There are several plants that are known for their ability to reduce indoor air pollution and improve air quality. Some examples include:
- Spider plant (also known as air plant)
- Snake plant (also known as mother-in-law's tongue)
- Peace Lily
- Boston Fern
- Madagascar Dragon Tree
- India Rubber Tree
Plants act as natural air purifiers by absorbing pollutants and supplying oxygen for humans and animals to breathe. They can absorb harmful gases like nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and ammonia, as well as carbon dioxide and dust particles.
