Indoor air quality is often overlooked when planning for a baby.  We have used our house so much more in this past year than any other year.  We spend more time here, have more people over and we have had more guests stay with us then ever before.

Admittedly, I hadn’t given it much thought until my sister emailed me a wonderful link to an article written about a study performed by NASA scientists about using plants as air purifiers for sick buildings.  While I knew that plants are great because they convert CO2 to O2, but I didn’t know that some are better than others at removing chemicals from the air like formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene.  These chemicals aren’t anything that I want near my baby, but I know that they probably are.

Benzene is used in the manufacture of detergents, solvents and paints. It is a skin irritant and is thought to be embryotoxic and to contribute to choromosomal abberations.  Trichloroethylene (TSE) is used in dry cleaning and is considered to be a liver carcinogen.  Formaldehyde is used in embalming, but also in making particle board, pressed board (think cribs & changing tables), paper towels and tissues.

So, when my sister emailed me this list, I wanted to run to the nursery – the other one, the plant nursery, but I had concerns.

Which ones are safe for the baby?

5 Great Plants for Your Baby’s Nursery

1. Spider plant - pro: non-toxic, grows like a weed, variegated foliage, propagates quickly, great as a hanging plant
2. Mother-in-law’s tongue – pro: easily available, grows in low light
3. Chrysanthemum – pro: Beautiful, easily obtainable, safe plant, has medicinal uses   con: may irritate the skin after extended exposure, but rare
4. English Ivy – Hedera helix – pro:  cheap & easy to obtain, great as a hanging plant           con: invasive species outdoors, may cause skin irritation
5. Janet Craig Dracaena -pro: common, easily available, non-toxic, effective, easy to grow

Now, where should you put this plant?  On a shelf, out of reach.  Babies love to play with dirt and topple over things.  That wouldn’t do much for your beautiful nursery, now would it?  Of course, do your own research to determine which one plant is best for your family and home.