Customers visit our tropical atrium for a number of reasons - sometimes they are seeking a gift for a housewarming, birthday, anniversary, promotion, retirement or some other special occasion. Often they are looking for plants to help beautify the inside of their own homes . Some guests simply want to bring cheerful outdoor beauty to an indoor setting , especially in a region where the winter season lasts longer than any of the other seasons, and most people spend much more time inside than outside.

In recent years, a number of visitors have embarked on a quest for plants simply because they provide some distinct health benefits. Some of these individuals may not even be enchanted with the charm and beauty of houseplants - but they visit us because they are concerned about the quality of the air inside their homes or offices and have heard that many indoor plants will help clean the air in a natural yet impressive manner.

Although the focus of improved air quality may be of more interest to those who suffer from asthma, chronic sinus problems or certain allergies, the impact of improving the indoor environment appeals to all individuals who quite rightly feel that they would breathe a little easier if the air itself was cleaner. Since indoor plants remove many toxins and other contaminants, they greatly improve air quality.

Indoor plants have a natural filtering ability that improves air quality in wonderful ways. They don't just help us by" breathing out" oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide . They are also naturally gifted at confronting VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as benzene and formaldehyde, found in many products in many different environments. Although they live a subtle, serene and quiet non-Kardashian life, indoor houseplants can absorb huge amounts of these compounds, as well as silently declaring war on and suppressing airborne mold.

Indoor plants confront chemicals in the air in two different ways . The leaves absorb certain chemicals in the air and deposit them inside plant tissues down to the roots. Plants also pull air down when moisture is released from leaves during transpiration.

It is not surprising that the most efficient air cleaners are those plants with high transpiration rates, since these plants are able to move greater amounts of air.

Some of the most renowned sweep the air clean performance artists include Spider Plants, Rubber Plants, Boston Ferns, English Ivy, Chrysanthemums, Gerbera Daisies, Weeping Figs and Dwarf Azaleas. Golden Pothos, Heart Leaf Philodendrons and Peace Lilies are also excellent cleaners.

The tropical atrium at Ellerslie Gift & Garden is dedicated to providing many household plants that will help you enjoy cleaner air indoors. We may not always have every single plant on your air cleaning list, but we usually have a significant number of them. For more information on plants that help you clean the air inside your home, just consult our knowledgeable staff inside the atrium. They are extremely interested in this subject. They can also give you pointers on the best location for certain plants, as well as light, humidity, temperature and ease of maintenance considerations. If you are extremely interested in obtaining detailed data on many specific plants, we recommend reading books such as "How To Grow Fresh Air: 50 Houseplants that Purify Your Home of Office" by Dr. B.C. Wolverton.