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Helen Chesnut: Spider and snake plants noted for cleaning indoor air

Dear Helen: I have heard that certain types of house plants help to cleanse the indoor air of pollutants. What are these plants? How many are needed, and what size do they need to be? B.C.
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Snake plant is considered to be one of the most efficient house plants for cleansing the air of pollutants.

Dear Helen: I have heard that certain types of house plants help to cleanse the indoor air of pollutants. What are these plants? How many are needed, and what size do they need to be?

B.C.

The plant most commonly noted for this purpose is spider plant (air plant, Chlorophytm comosun ‘Variegatum’). This is an easily grown, fast-growing subtropical plant with long, narrow, curving leaves in bright green with cream striping. It produces long stems bearing rosettes of white flowers that become hanging miniatures of the mother plant. These “babies” can be severed and potted for new plants. Spider plant is often grown in hanging baskets.

Other warmth-loving plants for bright shade (or diffused sunlight) recommended for air cleaning are philodendron, peace lily, golden pothos, bamboo palm (Chamaedorea), Boston fern and weeping fig.

One of my references, on research done by the national Aeronautics and Space Administration, indicates that snake plant (mother-in-law’s tongue, Sansevieria) is especially efficient at cleansing the air of toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde.

Snake plant has tall, elegant leaves that are thick and stiff. It is one of the most minimal-care house plants possible. Though it tolerates shade, bright indirect light encourages better growth. The main caution with this plant is to avoid over-watering, which leads to rot. Let the soil dry between watering, and water minimally in winter.

Two or three plants, of a typical size sold in shops, are recommended for every 100 square feet of living space.

To keep the plants in good working order wipe the leaves regularly with a clean, damp cloth to remove pore-clogging dust.

 

Dear Helen: We have a hedge of Choisya ternata (Mexican orange blossom). The hedge is about 12 years old, and looking good. We’d like to keep it that way. Is there anything we should be doing to maintain the hedge in good health? What fertilizer do you recommend?

H.D.

Their beautiful evergreen foliage and fragrant spring flowers make Choisya ternata plants ideal for hedges and screening. I saw a wonderful choisya hedge once, in bright, shiny green with a golden-leaved ‘Sundance’ choisya at both ends.

These are not particularly demanding plants, though they must have a very well drained soil that is neither extremely acidic or alkaline. Slightly acidic is best. Once well established and when grown in open ground, the plants will tolerate some drought. The leathery leaves retain moisture well.

Established plants that are growing well require little care. They don’t have high nutrient requirements. Mine thrive on an annual April mulching with a nourishing compost, which provides some nutrients and helps to conserve moisture in the soil.

If you feel the need to fertilize, my suggestion would be to choose a natural-source fertilizer blend. These fertilizers nourish soil life. Look for them among the organic fertilizers in garden stores and choose one recommended for flowering shrubs.

 

GARDEN EVENTS

Lily meeting. The Victoria Lily Society invites the public to their meeting this evening in the Salvation Army Citadel, 4030 Douglas St. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. At 7:30, local naturalist Val George will talk about Butterflies in Your Garden. Learn about the butterflies that visit your garden, and how to attract them.

 

Floral art. The Mid Island Floral Art Club will meet on Thursday at 2 p.m. in St. Stephens United Church Hall, 150 Village Way in Qualicum Beach. The demonstration will be on Foliage Manipulation.

 

Sale for plantaholics. The annual Mill Bay Plantaholics Plant Sale will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2836 Oceanside Ln. in Mill Bay. Turn east off the highway at Kilmalu, south on Church Way, east on Welch Road and south onto Oceanside. Proceeds will be divided between the education of a young woman in Malawi and Somenos Transition House — a program of the Cowichan Women Against Violence Society. There will be an extensive selection of healthy plants and master gardeners on hand to answer questions. Cash or cheque only.

 

VRS sale. The Victoria Rhododendron Society will host its annual Public Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at 4640 Cordova Bay Rd. The society is able to offer many rhododendrons rarely available to the public, because members propagate and grow their own plants. There will be a large number of Barlup hybrids — lower growing, unique coloured plants suitable for today’s smaller gardens.