How many indoor plants do you really need? There's an app for that
If the thousands of people who turned up to Canberra's first indoor plant party is anything to go by, we're living in a city of leafy locals.
But how many plants does one really need?
Researchers at the University of Melbourne and RMIT have determined the number of plants needed in certain-sized homes to improve air quality.
The study confirmed plants improve air quality by filtering out particulate matter, air pollution, and airborne toxins caused by organic chemicals.
"You know that new-house smell, or new-car smell? The smell of newly painted walls or nail varnish? All those smells are bad for our health, and plants absorb those sorts of toxins in the air," said Dominique Hes, the project's lead researcher at the University of Melbourne.
The study found that adding even just one medium-sized plant to a medium-sized room improves the air quality by up to 25 per cent.
The presence of plants was also found to be linked to improved mental wellbeing.
"When we're connected to plants and nature, our primeval brain relaxes. This is linked to creativity and problem-solving," Dr Hes said.
Based on this research, a plant index was formulated and used to create the Plant Life Balance app.
The app allows users to assess the estimated or desired air quality of their space based on the size of the room and the number of plants.
The study also found the factor most imperative to improving air quality was the quality of the soil in which the plant was potted.
If you're not someone who's willing to commit to a house full of green babies, here are some ideas of where to go in Canberra to get your plant fix:
Mocan & Green Grout
An urban jungle nestled into the corner of Marcus Clarke Street.
Teddy Picker's
Enjoy a morning coffee under a lush canopy of hanging plants.
Good Speed Bicycle Co.
A garden within a garden, this greenery-filled shop is shrouded in the John Avery Gardens.
Morning Glory
Enjoy the most important meal of the day in a leafy setting.