Without the proper level of oxygen, life as we know it today would not exist. Plants, like the rest of living beings, also breathe; If they did not, their cells would die and consequently their roots, stems, and leaves would dry up.
Have you ever wondered why plants need to breathe? We know they do it to stay alive, but How and in what do they use oxygen?
How do plants breathe?
Throughout the day and night, the leaves absorb oxygen from the air through the stomata, which are openings in their surface, and another series of openings in the bark of stems, called lenticels, and also by the root hairs (roots). Thus, even if deciduous plants become leafless at some time of the year, they can continue to breathe. In doing so, they absorb oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.
The respiration of plants produces the so-called transpiration or loss of water, which is what ends up being water vapor. However, when they are thirsty they keep the stomata closed so as not to lose the precious liquid. Unfortunately, if the situation lasts too long, the leaves will end up drying out hopelessly.
Can you have plants in the bedroom?
One of the most common myths is the one that says that you cannot have plants in the bedroom because they rob us of oxygen, which is not true. For it to be really dangerous we would have to have a room full of plants, as if it were a jungle.
The amount of oxygen that a plant needs is much less than what our body needs to keep us alive. So we can be and breathe with complete peace of mind 🙂.
Did you know why respiration is important for plants?