Allow 2-4 days for delivery of INTERNATIONAL ORDERS.
The minimum for any International
plant order is $50.
Foreign plant availability may vary from ours. Please allow plant substitutions
if your choice is unavailable.
Plus relay charges and sales tax. (See "To
Order" Flowers page)
Plants as purifiers!
More than 20 years ago, NASA conducted studies of
common house plants to see which would be most effective at removing
pollutants such as carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and benzene in their
spacecrafts!
SPIDER PLANTS top the list when it comes to cleaning
indoor air of the toxic chemicals emitted from such things as foam insulation,
fire retardants, inks, paints, pressed-wood products and cigarette smoke!
After 24 hours in a sealed container, spider plants eliminated 96 percent
of the carbon dioxide and 80 percent of the formaldehyde! Part of the
lily family, these South African perennials are fast growing, hardy,
and easy to propagate. The juice from their roots has been used to treat
skin rashes, bites, and burns!
EMGLISH IVY is also near the top of NASA's list.
These fast growing woody vines suck up the benzene produced by plastics
and synthetic fibers of carpets and upholstery. The plant's history
is not specifically English. It is also found in ancient Egyptian and
Greek images. It symbolizes eternal fidelity, probably because it is
so good at staying permanently attached!
GOLDEN POTHOS is a South Pacific native that is
good at absorbing the carcinogenic trichloroethylene (TCE) that's used
in printing inks and dry cleaning. All parts are toxic, so do not ingest,
but feel free to stand close and inhale!
Several varieties of DRACENA help neutralize the
fumes of benzene and TCE. They are a slow-growing tall plant. The name
"Dracena" means Dragon. Some species produce a red resin that
may have reminded some of "dragon's blood".
A very popular plant, the PEACE LILY (Spathphyllum),
also is good at eliminating the fumes of benzene and TCE. It is native
to Central and South America. "Spathi" means "sword"
in Greek and its white flowering bract does resemble a sword! Its leaves
are toxic, another plant not to ingest, but beautiful to look at and
healthy to have in your home or office!
The SNAKE PLANT (Sanseveria) is an African native
also known as "Mothers In Law Tongue" due to its sharp and
pointed leaves! Sanseveria is low maintenance and will survive most
neglect, taking out formaldehyde in the process!
If you prefer plants with flowers, try CHRYSANTHEMUMS
in the summer or fall! They have been cultivated in China for more than
2,000 years and used medicinally and ceremonially. Chrysanthemums are
effective at removing formaldehyde, benzene and TCE!
NASA's research suggests that it will take about
18 good sized houseplants to clean the air in a 1,800 sq foot home or
office. The amount of surface soil exposed to the air also figured in
the purification process. Microorganisms in the soil seem to help remove
airborne toxins also!
Actually, nearly ALL green plants may be thought
of as air purifiers, since the process of photosynthesis helps to clear
the air. Besides, plants lift peoples' spirits, lower stress, and raise
morale! Add a few to your home or office today!
