We put them in our cars, offices, and homes and everywhere that odours may linger. We mist, spray, plug in, and sprinkle toxic “smell good” chemicals without knowing the health risks. Products that we think are making our air fresher are actually making it toxic.

These products claim to remove odour molecules but don’t actually accomplish it; the molecules are still there, just masked by the chemical cocktail you have sprayed. What’s worse is that because your home is a closed environment, the chemicals linger for a very long time.

These chemicals can cause headaches, can affect our sinuses and burn our eyes.

Why not plant your own odour-absorbing plants for your house, which is guaranteed to be free of harsh chemicals, because not only do plants give off oxygen and take up carbon dioxide – many do a fabulous job scrubbing the air leaving nothing but their enticing fragrance behind.

Jasmine

The scent of jasmine is indeed intoxicating. This group of plants is in the same family as the olive and contains over 200 species. Many jasmine plants are found in tropical and sub-tropical areas and have either vining or brushing habits. The best indoor jasmine plant for odour control is Chinese or Star jasmine and is as beautiful as it is aromatic.

This prolific climber bears small, star-shaped flowers that entice you to come closer and take a whiff. It only takes a few beautiful flowers to fill a room with a warm and delicious scent. Best of all, blooms last for weeks at a time.

Care: Jasmine plants like plenty of light – even a little direct sun is appreciated. Provide water when the plant is flowering but do not overwater. Misting the leaves helps to keep this beauty happy and healthy. Propagate by cuttings and share this beautiful natural air freshener with friends!

PBR International has just launched a “DynaMist” Pre and Post cuttings spray which is a non-toxic blend of essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and additives, which help prevent losses in the critical first few days when they are at their most susceptible and also helps prevent dehydration in your cuttings.

Use “DynaMist Rooting Spray” to pre-treat mother plants and as a foliar spray for propagating plants. It’s simple to use – you don’t have to dilute, just spray.

Gardenia

Gardenias are native to southeast Asia and tropical areas in Africa and bear sweet yellow or bright white flowers highly scented. The foliage on this plant is equally attractive and glossy green. The sweet and fresh aroma of the flowers makes this plant a winner for home odor control. The best variety for indoor growing is ‘Buttons,’ a dwarf variety, growing up to 60cm tall with stunning 5cm flowers.

Gardenias are often thought of as fussy or difficult to grow and care for indoors. However, if you give it the necessary nutrients, this plant will reward you with its fantastic aroma and beautiful flower for years.

Annual Scented Geranium

Geraniums add antique elegance to any room and do a great job at eliminating odors – replacing them with their own unique, soft scents that have been used in the fragrance industry for hundreds of years. These odor-busting plants have glands at the bast of their leaf hairs, where the sweet scents form. When you touch the leaves,’ the aroma is released along with some plant oil. The leaves are similar to other plants in the geranium family and can be round, lacy, finely cut, and vary in shades from gray-green to lime green. Choose from scents like rose, lime, coconut, pine, pineapple, and more. Keep a couple of these enticing and beautiful plants in your kitchen because they do a great job tackling cooking odors – even fish!

Geraniums are easy to propagate and grow indoors. The most important thing to provide is plenty of bright light and well-draining and sterilized potting mix that helps to keep weeds and disease away. Use PBR International’s “DynaMist cuttings spray” a week before you make a cutting as well as after the cutting to make sure your plant has the best chance at rooting. Provide a general, all-purpose organic fertilizer twice a year and let the soil dry to 1-inch down before watering. For a bushy look, allow three pairs of true leaves to grow before pinching new growth back. Be sure to remove spent blooms as this encourages flowering.

Happy Planting.

The PBR International Team.