Many people use plants to improve the appearance of their homes. Plants have been shown to reduce stress and noise, and to help us focus on our work. But did you know that houseplants can also improve your health? By the process of photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen. Of course, humans need oxygen to breathe. The oxygen given out by plants helps us to breathe more deeply, and stops us from feeling tired. Some plants can also absorb harmful chemicals from the air inside our houses.
Experts suggest placing one plant every nine square meters. The average American home measures 232 square meters, which means it should have around 25 plants. That may sound like a lot, but remember this is an investment in your health! Some plants produce more oxygen than others. Tropical plants produce the most, because their natural environment is the forest floor. They have adapted to survive even when they can't get much sunlight through the trees above them. Forest ferns are among the best plants for the home. Not only do they produce oxygen, but they also absorb formaldehyde which can cause cancer. Ferns have no seeds or flowers, but they do have attractive leaves. The most beautiful option is the gerbera daisy, which is known to help people sleep. While most plants produce oxygen during the day, these brightly-colored flowers work right through the night. Money plants, spider plants, and snake plants (sometimes called "motherin-law's tongue") also make good houseplants. However, the leaves of money plants can be dangerous if eaten by small children or pets, so be careful!
很多人會運用盆栽來美化室內景觀。經證實，植物具有減壓與降低噪音量的作用，還能讓我們專注工作。不過，你知道室內盆景也能改善身體健康嗎？ 在光合作用的過程中，植物會吸收二氧化碳並釋放氧氣。想當然爾，人類需要氧氣才能呼吸。植物所釋出的氧氣能讓我們的呼吸更深層，不會感到疲累。有些植物甚至可吸附居家空氣中的有害化學物質。 專家建議，每9平方公尺的空間就該種植一棵盆景。一般的美式住宅面積是232平方公尺，也就是需要擺設25棵盆景。可能看似很多，但別忘了，這可是在投資自己的健康！ 有些植物能製造更多氧氣。熱帶植物的氧氣釋出量最為可觀，因為它們的天然生長環境屬於落葉層。此類植物即使無法從樹林之間的透光縫隙獲得充足陽光，仍能生存下來。 森林蕨類最適合居家種植。不僅能製造氧氣，還能吸收致癌的甲醛。蕨類沒有種子也不會開花，卻具有美觀的葉片。最好看的盆景就是非洲菊，而且具有助眠效果。多數植物只會在白天製造氧氣，但是顏色鮮豔的非洲菊，連夜晚也能製造氧氣。 黃金葛、吊蘭和虎尾蘭（又有「岳母舌」的別稱）亦為不錯的選擇。不過，小孩與寵物如果誤食黃金葛的葉片可是很危險的一件事，一定要小心為妙！ | 
