From the category archives:

Indoor Plants

AeroGarden: Easy, Efficient Indoor Gardening

February 18, 2009

In 2004, MetaEfficient.com pre-reviewed the AeroGrow aeroponics growing system. That was before the system was released. A couple of years ago, you couldn’t cut on your TV without seeing an ad for AeroGrow indoor gardening systems. It isn’t as ubiquitously advertised now, but it hasn’t disappeared from the market. In fact, five years after its [...]

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The Most Efficient Humidifier: Areca Palm

November 8, 2008

It’s important to keep indoor humidity at an optimum level (45 to 65 percent). Dry air in the winter  is one the main causes of sinus infections and sore throats. You can use a mechanical humidifier to add moisture to the air, but these devices require constant cleaning to prevent the growth of microorganisms.
An easier [...]

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Efficient Repurposing: Twist & Spout

April 10, 2006

Here’s a way to reuse virtually any soda or water bottle with a screw-on cap. It’s called the Twist & Spout, and it comes in two varieties. Use the Garden style to create a watering can. Use the Kitchen style to make those two-liter soda bottles easy to handle.
A set of two is available from [...]

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MetaEfficient: Microgreens

February 8, 2006

Growing microgreens is a metaefficient way to have attractive, flavorful greens available for salads and garnishes. Top class restaurants use freshly cut microgreens to liven up their dishes. Microgreens are tiny plants, no more than 8 to 14 days old.

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Most Efficient Burn Treatment: Fresh Aloe Vera Gel

January 30, 2006

The most efficient treatment for burns is: aloe vera gel. Nothing in the world heals burns faster and more effectively. There’s no reason why everyone can’t have access to at least one of these plants, since they are easy to grow indoors. To get best results, the gel must be fresh and undiluted.

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Self-Rejuvenating Prehistoric Plant

January 26, 2006

This plant, the Club Moss (Selaginella Lepidophylla), has been around for 290 million years. It pre-dates the dinosaurs, and survived through their destruction, it also made it through the ice age and continues to thrive to this day in the 21st century. It can dry up and hibernate for as long as 50 years at [...]

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Most Efficient Filtering Plant: Boston Fern

January 25, 2006

The Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) — it’s the plant that’s the most efficient at removing formaldehyde (the most common indoor air pollutant).
See our post on How To Grow Fresh Air for more information.

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An Intelligent Indoor Plant Light

January 25, 2006

It’s great to brighten up a cold winter day by growing plants under lights indoors. This device aims to make indoor growing easier. It has a grow light (a full-spectrum 9-watt fluorescent), and the lamp turns on and off every day, simulating the changing length of days with the passing seasons. The Intelligent Plant [...]

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Upside-Down Tomato Garden

January 21, 2006

This curious planter takes the toil out of tomatoes by elevating the planting bed so vines grow downward. The hanging vines need almost no attention as tomatoes ripen in the air (not on the ground) where they won’t rot.
Complementary plants like basil, parsley, rosemary, and peppers can be planted on top, which holds up to [...]

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Bonsai Tree In A Can

January 17, 2006

From Japan comes this small but efficient plant. It’s a bonsai for an indoor garden on a desktop or a windowsill. The tree can be repotted in a larger pot or outdoors for growing larger. They are $12 each from Branch.
Found via Ecofriend

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How To Grow Fresh Air

January 12, 2006

Author B.C. Wolverton originally began his research to investigate creating a breathable environment for a NASA lunar habitat. What came of that research was the discovery that houseplants are the most efficient filters of common pollutants such as ammonia, formaldehyde and benzene. (See our list of the top plants for cleaning the air).

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SmartGardens: Automated Growing

January 9, 2006

SmartGardens are specially designed gardens that automatically water and feed plants without the need for pumps, timers and nutrient monitoring. They incorporate a watering system called a SmartValve, which enables the plants to be gravity fed, instead of through a pump. This means there is no need for a reservoir below the garden to [...]

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Egglings: Crack Open a Plant

December 20, 2005

These ceramic “Egglings” look and feel like real eggs. But if you crack one open, and add water, you’ll soon have plant growing. Each Eggling comes with a terra cotta tray and seed pack. The plants will grow for months in their shell and can be replanted in soil.
Available for $8.95 from Elsewares. Found via [...]

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LED Lights: Efficient Indoor Growing

December 18, 2005

LED grow lights are a good choice if you are interested in growing indoors without a lot of hassle. Traditional grow lights generate a lot of heat and use large amounts of electricity, which raises your monthly electric bill by noticeable amounts. These LED grow lights stay cool, and use only a minuscule amount of [...]

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Gift Trees: Efficient

December 12, 2005

These gift trees, from the National Arbor Day Foundation, can be grown indoors or outdoors or even preserved in the refrigerator until you are ready to plant them. The trees are only $3 each, but there is a minimum order of 10. You can select from four evergreens: Ponderosa Pine, Coastal Redwood, Longleaf Pine, and [...]

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Best All-Round Indoor Plants

July 29, 2004

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum “Mauna Loa”)

Peace Lily removes benzene, xylene and toluene found in nail polish, paints,
solvents, and adhesives as well as trichloroethylene (TCE). TCE is a commercial
product found in a wide variety of industrial uses such as metal degreasing
and dry cleaning. It is also found in printing inks, paints, lacquers,
varnishes and adhesives. Wash the leaves [...]

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Plants Good For Formaldehyde Removal

July 29, 2004

Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix Roebelenii)

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis Exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’)

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Philodendron Selloum

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Plants Good For Benzene Removal

July 29, 2004

Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera Jamesonii)

Pot Mum (Chrysanthemum Morifolium)

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Chemicals Commonly Polluting Indoor Air

July 29, 2004

Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a ubiquitous chemical found in virtually all indoor environments.
The major sources which have been reported and publicized include urea-formaldehyde
foam insulation (UFFI) and particle board or pressed wood products used
in manufacturing of the office furniture bought today. It is used in consumer
paper products which have been treated with UF resins, including grocery
bags, waxed papers, [...]

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