Reed Palms   Plants that Detoxify the Air   Potted palms can lend a touch of the tropics to almost any interior landscape..   Planting / Care: Light: Palm trees will not do well in dimly lit corners. Without adequate light your plant will lose all its lower fronds. Compared to the other palm trees, the Reed Palm Tree tolerates relatively low light, but may grow several feet taller in a brighter location     Watering: Keep palms relatively moist. In spring and summer, or when temperatures are warm and days are longer, water them as soon as their soil feels dry a little below the…

Safe Alternatives for Weed Control, Pesticides / Insecticides   Pesticides have been proven to have negative impacts on health and our environment. The risk for leukemia increases by four to seven times for children, ages 10 and under, whose parents use home or garden pesticides. Many herbs and essential oils are effective alternative solutions. Please refer to the below for non-toxic alternatives. Tips on Preventing Infestations Solutions to specific house & garden pest infestations To get rid of garden pests or insects on house plants     Getting Rid of Insects & Weeds -…

Zamioculcas   Plants that Detoxify the Air   The Zamioculcas is an ornamental plant, appreciated mainly for its attractive glossy foliage and air-purifying qualities. This is an easy and impressive plant for semi shady rooms.   Important Considerations: Toxicity: All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested. Not recommended One of Best Plants For Cleaner, Fresher Air: This plant distinguishes itself for its ability to help purify indoor air.     Description The Zamioculcas grows to 45-60 cm tall, from a stout underground, succulent rhizome. It is normally evergreen, but becomes…

Bamboo Plants   Plants that Detoxify the Air The Bamboo has become quite a popular houseplant in recent years, where they are valued for their interesting, sculptural shapes as well as for their symbolism, as they have been considered a symbol of good fortune in Asian cultures for at least 4000 years.   Safety Around Pets: Bamboos are usually listed as non-toxic for pets; however - with the exception of the Chinese Sacred or Heavenly Bamboo (featured to the right), which is listed as TOXIC for birds. Care is to be taken when deciding which bamboo plant to introduce into your home.…

Corn Plants - Dracaena Warnecki   Plants that Detoxify the Air   The Warnecki is an easy-care houseplant that thrives in medium to bright light areas of our homes.The leaves are sword-shaped with fine white stripes. The leaves are 1 to 2 feet long and 2 inches wide. This Dracaena will grow 2 to 5 feet tall.   Care: Soil: Dracaenas thrive in an organic, moderately moist, well-drained soil.     Light: They thrive in indirect or bright-diffused light.     Watering: Water thoroughly just when the soil surface is dry. Do not allow the plant to stand in water as overwatering may…

Inviting Wildlife to Your Garden     The following will help you attract the wildlife of your choice: Attracting Butterflies Attracting Squirrels Gardening to Attract Birds Gardening in an Environmentally Friendly Way - Chemicals and toxins in our environment hurt wildlife and us     GreenAndHealthy.Info strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!

Baby's-Tears aka Irish Moss Plants that Detoxify the Air   Baby's-tears is a creeping herp that is native to the Caribbean. The stems are slender with rooting at nodes. It sports a mass of tiny circular leaves (1/4" across) on a thin trailing stem giving a matted, finely textured look. NOTE: This plant is difficult to grow under average home conditions. It prefers humid conditions and requires a knowledgeable and experienced gardener.   Planting Suggestions: This plant complements many areas of your home or office. This is a very popular groundcover in conservatories. Frequently…

Eco-friendly, Healthful Living   Today's home is loaded with toxic and polluting substances ... What toxins lurke in your home? Take the Household Toxics Tour ... Review the Sick of Dust Report" ... Toxic Carpeting The "Sick Building Syndrome: Diseases & Conditions Caused by Your Home Natural Pain & Stress Relief AND Release of Mood-Enhancing & Health-promoting Hormones. Learn more about the Benefits of Massage Therapy Click here for information on organic foods -- a listing of the most and the least contaminated food items, as well as handling tips.   Commercial, chemical-…

Inviting Wildlife to Your Garden: Build a Pond!   Backyard Habitat   Build Your Own Pond! If you want a water source that requires more initial work but less upkeep overall, a pond may be a great choice. Start with a simple design and gradually build on it. Step 1: The obvious first step is to dig a hole. Spray the hole with water after each digging session will help loosen the dirt up thus facilitating the digging. If you're using a pre-formed liner, place it on the ground first to mark the shape you'll dig. With a PVC or rubber fabric liner, make sure the liner can cover the hole…

Cats In Your Garden Attract Wildlife To Your Backyard   Controlling Cats in your Garden: Nesting birds are very vulnerable to cats, as are fledglings and birds roosting for the night.   Ways to Protect Outside Birds from Cats: Bell collars on cats offer birds little protection, although they may give them some warning that cats are on the prowl.     Nailing a sheet metal guard or cone to a tree trunk is unsightly, but it may deter less agile felines.     Bird nests / houses mounted on metal poles are the most difficult for predators to reach, especially if you smear the poles…

Rubber Plants (Ficus elastica) Plants that Detoxify the Air   The Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) has been bred for toughness. It will survive in less light than most plant of its size. It will tolerate dim light and cool temperatures.It receives high marks in all categories and is an excellent overall houseplant. This plant can be kept best in semi-sun to semi-shade.   Effective Remover of Air Pollutants: Of the ficus plants tested to date, the rubber plant is the best for removing chemical toxins from the indoor environment, especially formaldehyde. Its ability to remove air…

Getting Rid of Cockroaches   Safe Pest Control Large indoor cockroach populations are one of the leading causes of allergies, asthma and other bronchial disorders in humans. Additionally, cockroaches are capable of carrying disease organisms, such as the swift and deadly Sarcocystosis disease, and bacteria on their bodies and in their fecal material. The presence of cockroach populations in and around urban structures is an indication that cockroach food, moisture and harborage resources are present. Below are some suggestions: Baking Soda is a safe insect repellent to keep ants,…

Vegetables Anybody Can Grow   Reasons for growing your own vegetables: Financial: With rising food prices and concerns about pollutants in our store-purchased food items, more and more people are considering growing their own vegetables. Some are doing so well that they have turned their "backyard garden" into a business, supplying local restaurants and stores with their surplus organic produce. Nutrition: Home-grown vegetables are far more nutrient-dense than vegetables that have been massproduced and transported over many states. Calculate storage into that, and it is obvious that a lot…

Aloe Vera Plants that Detoxify the Air ... Medicinal Foods, Herbs, Spices & Household Items Aloe Vera is the herb typically found in home herb gardens and Aloe barbadensis (Curacao aloe) the species in the herb trade in the United States. Aloe species range in size from little one inch miniatures to massive plant colonies consisting of hundreds of 2 foot diameter plants. Although most Aloes have some medicinal or commercial value, the most commonly known is the Aloe barbadensis ... commonly referred to as Aloe vera. Please note that this webste: www.library.okstate.edu/.../plants.…

Corn Plants   Plants that Detoxify the Air   The Corn Plant (aka Dracaena, Corn Plant, Dragon Tree) requires very little care. These are low light plants with an attractive foliage varying in color from solid green to light green, with green stripes.   Safety Around Pets: Toxic Principle: Non-toxic, Possible alkaloidal contentClinical Signs: Stomach-ache (Ref.: OSU Center for Veternary Health Sciences) (Note: This is a controversial plant - mostly listed as safe - however, I have seen references that suggest that this plant is toxic to children and plants, if ingested. The OSU…