Widow’s Tears, scientifically known as Tradescantia pallida, is a popular indoor plant that is well-loved for its unique purple foliage and ease of care. But besides being aesthetically pleasing, many people wonder about the benefits of having a widow’s tears plant in their home. One such benefit is the amount of oxygen that the plant produces. In this article, we will explore how much oxygen a Widow’s Tears plant produces and why it matters.
Before we dive into the specifics of how much oxygen a Widow’s Tears plant produces, let’s first understand how plants produce oxygen in general. Through a process called photosynthesis, plants use energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (sugar) and oxygen. The oxygen is then released into the atmosphere through tiny pores on the plant’s leaves called stomata.
Now that we know how plants produce oxygen let’s focus on how much oxygen a Widow’s Tears plant produces. According to research conducted by NASA, one mature Widow’s Tears plant can produce approximately 5 milligrams of oxygen per hour. While this may not sound like much, it is important to note that the amount of oxygen produced can vary based on factors like light intensity, humidity levels, and temperature.
The importance of having plants in our homes goes beyond just their aesthetic appeal. Plants play a crucial role in regulating the air quality within our homes by removing pollutants and releasing fresh oxygen into the air. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. This is due to factors like poor ventilation, synthetic building materials, and household cleaning products.
Having plants like the Widow’s Tears plant in your home can help alleviate some of these pollutants and improve the overall air quality. Additionally, having more oxygen in the air can lead to better overall health and wellbeing. Oxygen is essential for our bodies to function properly, and having access to clean air can improve our breathing, energy levels, and overall mood.
To ensure that your Widow’s Tears plant is producing the maximum amount of oxygen possible, it is important to care for it properly. Here are some tips for caring for your Widow’s Tears plant:
Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. This will typically be every 7-10 days but can vary based on factors like temperature and humidity.
Yes! Widow’s Tears plants are easy to propagate through cuttings. Simply cut a stem below a node (where a leaf meets the stem) and place the cutting in water until roots form. Then you can transplant the cutting into soil.
Widow’s Tears plants are native to tropical regions and prefer warm environments with high humidity levels. They can be grown outdoors in warmer climates but should be protected from direct sunlight and cold temperatures.
Yellowing leaves can be a sign of overwatering or underwatering. Make sure to allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again and avoid leaving your plant in standing water. Additionally, yellowing leaves can be a sign of too much direct sunlight, so make sure your plant is not receiving too much light.