Issue Nº 503

Friday

In today’s issue, we’ll take a look at:

• Houseplants that purify your air

• Simple ways to conserve water at home

• Embrace the outdoors with e-Bikes

• The rice water hack for plants

Did You Know?

More than ____ different insects are likely to call your garden home!

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

Indoor Plants Remove Cancer-Causing Toxins In Your Home

Poor indoor air quality is a silent threat to many, responsible for 6.7 million premature deaths globally according to the World Health Organization. Given that most people spend their time indoors, whether at home, school, or work, finding effective solutions to improve air quality is crucial. And no, you don’t need a super expensive air purifier!

Exciting new research has revealed that indoor plants can efficiently remove toxic fumes and cancer-causing compounds from the air, significantly improving indoor air quality in a short time. This study, the first to show that plants can clean up gasoline vapors, highlights the power of nature to enhance our living spaces!

Led by Associate Professor Fraser Torpy from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), in partnership with Australian plantscaping company Ambius, the study found that a mix of indoor plants such as Aglaonema, Peperomia, Syngonium, and Scindapsus was incredibly effective. These plants removed 97% of the most toxic pollutants from the air within just eight hours. That’s impressive!

While previous studies have shown that indoor plants can eliminate various indoor air contaminants, this research is groundbreaking for its focus on gasoline vapors, a major source of toxic compounds in city buildings worldwide. By incorporating these plants into our indoor environments, we can breathe easier and enjoy a healthier, toxin-free atmosphere.

3 Simple Ways to Save Water in Your Everyday Life

All around the world, droughts are becoming more common and severe. While we often take our easy access to water for granted, it’s crucial to remember that water is a precious resource. As climate change intensifies, conserving water becomes essential for our survival.

Here are three easy ways to reduce your water footprint.

1. Revisit Your Bathroom Routine

The bathroom is a major hub for water use, making it a perfect place to start saving. Opt for showers over baths; a 10-minute shower uses about 25 gallons of water, while a bath can use around 50. Toilets are another big water user, consuming 4 to 6 gallons per flush. Consider installing a water-saving flapper to make your toilet more efficient. Additionally, always turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving, or doing your skincare routine.

2. Consume Less Water-Intensive Food

Food production, especially red meat and nuts, consumes a lot of water. For instance, one almond requires four gallons of water, and producing just 3.5 grams of chocolate can take up to 450 gallons. While you don’t need to give up your favorite foods entirely, being mindful of these water-intensive items and incorporating more low-water foods into your diet can make a significant difference.

3. Use the Dishwasher

Surprisingly, using a dishwasher is more water-efficient than washing dishes by hand. Modern dishwashers can use as little as two gallons of water per load, compared to over 20 gallons when hand washing. This means that in some cases, dishwashers use even less water than a single toilet flush!

By making these small changes in your daily routine, you can contribute to significant water savings. Every drop counts when it comes to preserving this vital resource.

Explore Nature With e-Bikes

Discover up to 60% off top-tier e-Bikes from brands like Specialized, Cannondale, Aventon and more at Upway.co. For a limited time only, be sure to grab an e-Bike and use code CANOPY for a $150 discount.

As the #1 e-Bike provider, Upway rigorously inspects and refurbishes each e-Bike for like-new quality, backed by a one-year warranty. Remember, use code CANOPY at checkout for an additional $150 off.

Thank you to Upway for sponsoring The Canopy.

Using Rice Water As A Growth Hack For Plants

Rice is incredibly versatile, not just in the kitchen but also in your garden! While it's well-known for its culinary uses, rice water—a byproduct of rinsing rice—has been touted for promoting hair growth and now, for nourishing houseplants. But does this hack really work?

Reusing water is always a good idea, especially with the global water demand projected to rise by 55% by 2050. TikTok user Christine Lan claims that rice water acts as a mild fertilizer and promotes beneficial bacteria in plant roots. But is this true?

Studies show rinsing rice extracts valuable nutrients like protein, fiber, thiamine, and riboflavin. These nutrients can turn your rice water into a plant-friendly concoction. For instance, a 2016 study found that rice water helped garlic plants grow bigger and fuller. The secret? Starch. Rice water is full of starch, which contains nitrogen—a key nutrient that supports plant growth by aiding in photosynthesis.

However, it's not one-size-fits-all. Some plants, like orchids, may not benefit from rice water due to their unique soil bacteria requirements. Using rice water on such plants could cause root rot. Additionally, rice water's high nitrogen content can alter soil pH, making it too acidic for some plants but perfect for others like peppers, which thrive in slightly acidic soil.

Different rice types have varying starch levels, making it tricky to standardize its use across all plants. While the research is limited, rice water generally seems beneficial for plants in average potting soil.

So, next time you rinse your rice, don’t pour that water down the drain. Give it to your houseplants and watch them thrive! It's a small step towards reducing your water footprint and promoting sustainable gardening practices.

Use code CANOPY at checkout for an additional $150 off at Upway.

Reflections:

• 🌎 Did You Know: More than 8,000 insects call your garden home – and most of these are utterly harmless and can actually be helpful to you and your plants!

• 🌅 Sunset Of The Day: The sun can provide the most beautiful photography. That's why we're eager to see your favorite sunrise or sunset photos. Reply to this email with your best sun-based pictures for a chance to be featured in next Wednesday's newsletter!