Question
hi there,

i just bought some plants for my wife's and i apartment and
potted and placed two in the same room we sleep in, which
is around 25 by 15.  her family was immediately upset
because they, all of them, said that it is taught in preschool
here, in southern mexico, that plants steal your oxygen at
night and could, possibly, kill you.  now these arent
poisnous plants at all, i believe they are quite normal for
indoor tropical house plants.  just wondering if you can
confirm for me that there is nothing wrong with plants in
an area where you sleep.  thank you so much

sincerely steve

Answer
Steve,

Quite the opposite, all plants take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen, so they actually add more oxygen to your bedroom. Many tropical plants also clean contaminants from the air making it much healthier. The only legitimate reason for not keeping houseplants is if you have allergies to mold that could grow in the soil if the plats are overwatered.  However, I have mold allergies and  I keep 200 plants in my home. I just make sure I do not overwater them.

Trees also take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen, that is why it is so important to save the rain forest.

What part of southern Mexico are you in?  I have a dream of retiring there some day? My husband thinks it might not be safe. What do you think?

Enjoy your new plants and tell your in laws that is an old wives tale.  Good luck.

Darlene