Oxygen Round The clock

BY RISIDRA MENDis

Plants come in many differert sizes,

apes, and features, and some of thern

dre prettier than the rest, thanks to their

unique features. These planits have

attracted many people wh0 are no

necessarily horticulturists but those who

love to have a uniquely beautiful plartin

their beautifully-landscaped garden or

even inside the house

When selecting a Dlant for decoradive

purposes, plants with beautiiul flovers

eaves, and trurts,

ability to adapt to Changing weather

Conditions, and sometimes.rare plan ts

were mostly chosen. However, today

people are on the lookout for house p ants

for not just their beauty but for their health

benefits as well. Ina day and age when air

pollution is at its peak, some types of

plants have helped to cleanse the air and

even produce oxygen 24 hours of the dey

Health-conscious people are now opting

for these types of plants since they notJust

add beauty to the house but also purify the

air and produce mnore oxycen

Amazing as it may seem the nurmber of

Oxygen-producing plants has increased

Over the years. So, what better way is there

to get your required oxygen than with a

healthy plant in your home? In recent

times the snake plant has become one of

the most popular among plant lovers, due

to its ability of absorbing carbon dioXIde

(C02) and giving out oxygen (02).

Having snake plants inside your home

will boost the air quality and oxygen leveis

and fill it with greenery. Similar to other

household succulents, snake plants nelp

to filter the indoor air, What's unique about

this particular plant is that it is one of the

few plants that can convertC02 into 02 at

night.

Photosynthesis is the process by which

plants use sunlight, water, and C02 to

create 02 and energy in the form of sugar

Green plants and certain other organisms

transform light energy into chemical

energy by the process of photosynthesis

During photosynthesis in green plants,

light energy is captured and used to

convert water, C02, and minerals into

oxygen and energy-fich organic

Compounds

Crassulacean AcidMetabolism (CAM)

Research Professor at the National

Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS)

Prof. Siril Wijesundara said plants such ass

the mother-in-law's tongue (snake plant

absorb C02 at night. "It is only some

plants that can absorb C02 at night. These

plants have Crassulacean Acid

Metabolism (CAM), which means they

don't need sunlight or any light at night to

produce oxygen. The aloe vera plant is also

one such plant that can absorb C02 at

night"

CAM, also known as CAM

photosynthesis, is a carbon fixation

pathway that evolved in some plants as an

adaptation to arid conditions that allows a

plant to photosynthesjse during the day,

but only exchange gases at night.

According to research the aloe vera is asucculent CAM plant recently

domesticated in Mexico. This plant is

different from other CAM species because

it is a native of the semitropical regions of

South Africa. The majority of CAM plants

are found in hot, dry, very arid regions with

little water

Former President of Dehiwela Mount

Lavinia Horticultural Society Sunila

Rajawasan said the mother-in-law's

tongue (snake plant) and lucky plant are

good plants to keep indoors. The Bo tree

is also known to give out oxygen. While on

a pilgrimage to India our tour guide told us

that Lord Buddha had chosen to meditate

and reached enlightenment under a Bo  tree because it is a good tree and releases

oxygen at night," Rajawasan explained.

Snake plant

We now take a detailed look at some of

the plants that produce oxygen 24 hours a

day. On top of the list is the snake plant or

Sansevieria, also called snake vine or

snake ivy. This plant purifies the air by

absorbing toxins through the leaves and

producing pure 02. It does this by

Converting CO2 with its wide long leaves

into fresh breathable air. Studies reveal

that this plant is best known for producing

the highest amount of 02 among all

houseplants.

Sansevieria is an ideal bedroom plant

Whereas most other plants release Cuz at

night, the Sansevieria continues to

produce 02 24 hoursa day. These hardy,

easy-to-Care-tor houseplants absoro oVer

100 pollutants and at least four major

toxins through their leaves, making

Sansevierias one of the rnost effective alr

purifying., toxin-fighting plants. This is a

proven tact from a 1989 extensive NASA

study.

The NASA study found that one species

of snake plant, removed 52.6 per cenit o

pollutants from the air in 24 hours.

Judging from this study, it can be inferred

that snake plants remove all pollutants

from the air in abOut 48 hours. According

to the study the average snake plant will

produce 0.9-1 litre of 02 a day.

t's also Known to rernove some harmtul

chemicals from the air such as xylene,

trichloroethylene, toluene, benzene,

formaldehyde and nitrogen oxides. The

snake plant is a succulent plant that does

not need much sunlignt. it is also known

as mother-in-law's tongue because its

shape resembles a snake's tongue. Snake

plants are siow growing. but they are very

popular houseplants and can be grown

indoors or outdoors in a container with

900d drainage

Snake plants can be grown in water

alone, as long as you keep the water clean

and place them in a location where they

get the right amount of sunlight. The

average ifespan of a snake plant is five to

10 years. However, according to researchn

they can live up to 25 years or more  According to Feng Shui principles, a

snake plant in your home or office can

help improve your ability to concentrate

and stay productive. This is known as the

'Wen Chang' area. You can place the

snake plant anywhere in your office,

including on top of your desk, on a

windowsill, or a bookshelf.

Areca palm

Areca palms are tropical plants that can

grow up to 35 feet tall. They are a 24-hour

oxygen giving plant and are good indoor

plants, making them great for homes with

limited space or people who don't have

the time or energy to care for large trees

outdoors.

Spider plant

The spider plant is an excellent option

for air purifying in your home. It's easy to

care for and will grow well in almost any

room because it is a plant that gives

oxygen for 24 hours. The spider plant is

also known as the aeroplane plant or

flying phlox because its long leaves look

like an aeroplane when they are spread

out on their sides. When properly cared

for by keeping them near windows where

they receive light from above they can

photosynthesise oxygen molecules into

energy needed by humans.

Peace lily

The peace lily is an excellent plant for

the home. It's easy to grow and produces

oxygen 24 hours a day, seven days a

week. You can grow peace lilies in pots,

directly in your garden, or even indoors if

you have an extra-large window area that

gets plenty of sunlight all day long,

allowing them to thrive.

Peace lilies are also perfect for

beginners because they only need

indirect, light sunlight during the cold

weather. Then they'll get enough sunlight

when they're outside in their pots during

the warm weather. They're also very easy

to care for, making them a great addition

to any home.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a luscious plant that can be

grown indoors in pots or outdoors and is

another oxygen plant. It's easy to

maintain and has medicinal properties, so

you'll want to grow it if you're looking for

ways to ensure that your home is as

healthy as possible. Aloe vera plants are hardy and drought-

tolerant, making them perfect candidates

for indoor environments where there isn't

much sunlight. If you choose this option,

ensure that your aloe vera gets plenty of

light by placing it near the window with its

stem pointing toward the light source

(this will help prevent algae growth).

Also, aloe vera will do well when planted

in sandy soil, however, if you live in an

area where heavy rainfalls occur regularly

(or if your soil tends toward clay) consider

planting this succulent outdoors instead.

Gerbera daisy

Gerbera daisy, another 24 hour oxygen

plant, is a perennial plant that can be

grown indoors or outdoors. It's also one

of the easiest plants to grow and

maintain, making it an excellent choice

for beginners who want to create their

own flower arrangements without having

to spend hours caring for them.

Gerbera daisy has several benefits

beyond being easy on your hands: it is

drought tolerant, it requires little

maintenance, it produces fragrant

flowers every day, and its blooms last as

long as they're watered, up until they wilt

away completely.

Tulsi

Tulsi is a sacred plant in Hinduism. It's

also known as holy basil, Tulsi leaves, and

Tulsi tea. Tulsi has many health benefits,

including treating colds and reducing

stress levels. Tulsi can grow up to three

feet high with multiple stems that branch

out at their base before they reach the top

of their container or pot. The leaves are

usually dried and made into tea, however,

you can also eat them raw if you prefer

(be careful not to overdo it).

Every day, Tulsi gives out oxygen for 20

out of the 24 hours day. It absorbs toxic

pollutants from the air such as CO2,

carbon monoxide (CO) and sulphur

dioxide (SO2).

Peepal tree/Bo tree

The Peepal tree is a tree which gives 02

for 24 hours. It is also known as the Bo or

Bodhi tree and belongs to the same genus

as neem trees. The peepal grows up to 15

m tall and has grey bark on its branches.

It's native to India, Myanmar and Sri

Lanka but is now found throughout

Southeast Asia. The flowers are small and

yellow-green, with a five-lobed corolla,

they grow in clusters at the ends of

branches. The fruit is a capsule with a lot

of seeds inside.

Money plant

The money plant is a houseplant that

grows in tropical regions. It is an

evergreen oxygen plant that can reach.

heights of three metres or more when

fully grown, with shiny dark green leaves.

Money plant prefers light but not direct

sunlight, so it's best kept indoors. The

money plant is an excellent addition to

any home or office. It's also one of the

easiest plants to care for, making it a

great plant for beginners. You'll need to

water your money plant once or twice

weekly and ensure its soil stays moist but

not wet.

Boston fern

Boston ferns are popular houseplantsbecause they're easy to grow, tolerant of low light and moisture levels, and attractive. Boston ferns are also epiphytic; they grow on other plants or rocks rather than in soil. As a result, they can be grown indoors or outdoors as long as you provide them with moist soil and a warm climate for their roots to thrive.