NASA once reported that astronauts were having a problem with poor air quality on space missions. Through numerous experiments in a two-year study, scientists not only concluded that houseplants were by far the best way to cleanse the air, but they were astonished at how efficient they were in performing the task. So, how does it work? Through photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. During this process, they also absorb toxins, mold, and bacteria that are eventually deposited in the soil or stored in the plant's cells. The end-result is not only cleaner air, but also higher levels of oxygen, which improves brain function. Today, houseplants ride on every space mission.

Is this not an amazing product of nature! I'm not talking about some altered, mutated, genetic phenomenon--this is all natural! Sometimes the most advanced discoveries are just realizing that the answer is already right in front of you. Think about this: In today's world, with all of its technological advances, scientific studies and specialization, the best way for NASA to cleanse the air in a space ship is to incorporate plants. Does that not say it all? If plants are the best way to cleanse the air for NASA, imagine the benefits for your office, home or dorm room!

On average, American's spend over 90% of their time indoors.

Surprisingly, studies show that indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air and it is nearly impossible to avoid exposure to harmful toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide. These toxins are given off by a countless number of common household products including: carpets, plastics, furniture, cigarettes, paints, cleaning products, inks, dyes, foam, and rubber, just to name a few.

What can you do to make your home a safer and healthier environment? The good news it that simply adding live plants to your interior decor vastly reduces the amount of toxins in your home and provides a calm, relaxing setting for you, your family, and your guests.

• By naturally reducing our ecological footprint, indoor plants are a key element to achieving the "green" ideals of good health and sustainability.
  
  
• Indoor plants act like air purifiers. Plants recycle carbon dioxide by converting it back into oxygen.
  
  
• Increased oxygen improves focus, creativity, relaxation, and health while it decreases stress and illness.
  
  
• Plants "breathe" and eliminate dangerous toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air, along with reducing the level of many other air-borne volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
  
  
• Toxins can be eliminated by as much as 1800 micrograms per hour.
  
  
• Interiorscaping provides appealing aesthetics and noise reduction while also lowering humidity and moderating temperatures.
  
  
• Plants are the fastest, most cost-effective agents for changing perceptions of an area and improving psychosocial health.
  
  
• Indoor plants increase positive feelings and reduce stress, fear, and anger.
  
  
• Problem solving skills, idea generation, and creative performance improve substantially when we are around houseplants.
  
  
• Houseplants reduce glare and strain on eyes so they tire less.
  
  
• Interscapes can be used in any room of your home to add a finishing touch.
  
  
• Larger plants can even be used as room dividers for larger areas.
  
  
• Houseplants are easy to care for, only requiring moderate light and watering.
  
  
• Interiorscape plants are affordable—with prices to fit into any budget.

Oh yeah, it's October.

Depending on where you live, the leaves are beginning to change color or they're starting to fall, and the last gasps of summer weather begins to fade (it's fading a little faster or completely gone in some parts of the country). Now you can get back outside and do some gardening (if you didn't already do so in November).

With the cooler air, you should purchase your bulbs and begin planting them. If it's approaching freezing where you live, this probably should have been done in Septermber and you might want to wait until early spring to add bulbs to your garden.

Fall is the perfect time for spicing up your landscape with some creative decorations. From mums to pumpkins to ornamental gourds and more, adding pizazz to your garden in the fall couldn't be easier.

An all-around favorite for fall planting is the chrysanthemum. They come in nearly every color imaginable and are easy to care for. Mums need at least 5 hours of sunlight per day and benefit from regular fertilizing. Be sure to plant them in well-drained soil, as they do not like to sit in water.

Two more fall favorites are ornamental kale and flowering cabbage. They come in many different shades of green, purple and red, have interesting textured foliage and, like the chrysanthemum, are easy to care for. Plant them in a sunny area in well-drained soil and fertilize them with a balanced fertilizer. Water your cabbage and kale regularly to prevent the soil from drying out completely.

You can create a welcoming entrance to your home by creating a front door display with some fall flowering plants and pumpkins. Create a symmetrical look by adding plants or decorations of your choice to either side of your front door. If there are steps leading up to your front door, expand the creative look by lining an assortment of pumpkins and gourds up the steps.

Create an eye-catching look by planting a mix of flowering plants, ornamental kale and flowering cabbage around the base of your mailbox. Of course, pumpkins and gourds can be mixed in for added interest—don't be afraid to mix it up! Corn stalks can also be used to add height to the look.

If you have window boxes, don't neglect them this fall. By adding a mix of flowering plants like mums and some colorful kale or cabbage, you can create a bright display that will be the envy of the neighborhood. Don't forget to add some small pumpkins and gourds to the display.

Pumpkins and ornamental gourds can be hollowed out and filled with flowers to create a fun look both indoors and out. For outdoors, simply drill some drainage holes in the bottom of a hollow pumpkin, add your soil and plants, then water! For indoors, place an empty can inside a hollow pumpkin, then add cut flowers of your choice.

Of course you have to be mindful of the weather around you. If your ground is freezing and it's snowing, you are limited to what you can plant. However, there are a few plants (like crocus) that don't mind a little cold. And if you planted that ornamental kale just before the snow, you might be suprised to see it doing well. Search the Internet. You'll likely be pleased to see how many plants will work in the cold winter.

Waxed Amaryllis bulbs are great houseplants any time of the year, but they're extra special this time of year, becuase it's the perfect time to plant bulbs.

If you're new to waxed amaryllis bulbs, they're the perfect houseplant. They require nothing more than being placed where you want to display them (preferably a well lit area without direct sunlight). The wax contains the bulb and requires no watering (it don't get much easier than that). After the amaryllis sends up stalks with blooms—typically two or three times with sets of two to four flowers at a time) they're ready to be disposed of. Only, you don't necessarily have to dispose of them.

If you carefully remove the wax (and in some rare cases additional coverings under the wax like a rubber barrier) the bulb can be planted and will perform nicely like any other amaryllis bulb. So, since the cooling weather makes this is a great time to plant bulbs, it's also a great time to get/give waxed amaryllis bulbs!