Why You Shouldn't Keep a Banyan Tree at Home
Among the many indoor green plants, the banyan tree is loved for its unique shape. But do you know that this tropical plant might be quietly fighting against your home environment? Today, we will take you through five sets of real-life photos to see the irreconcilable contradictions between banyan trees and living spaces.
Battle for Space: Limited vs. Unlimited
Threat of Vertical Growth
An adult banyan tree can exceed 25 meters in height, equivalent to an eight-story residential building. Even with potted maintenance, an average annual growth rate of 60 cm will occupy the entire room height within three years, forcing residents to bend over to pass through.
Trouble of Horizontal Expansion
With a canopy width of 5-8 meters, a typical living room will lose its activity space after three years. A case study shows that after placing a banyan tree in a 3-meter wide living room for two years, the sofa area was left with only 1.2 meters of passageway width.
Crisis of Ecological Imbalance
The Mystery of Insect Aggregation
The nectar secreted by the banyan tree's stomata can produce up to 3ml per day, and the立体 space formed by the overlapping aerial roots provides a perfect habitat for insects. Measured data shows that the density of insects around indoor banyan trees is four times higher than in other areas.
Breeding Ground for Microorganisms
The humidity at the intersection of aerial roots and the trunk often remains above 85%, creating an ideal environment for mold growth. Laboratory tests have found that the total number of colonies in such areas can reach 120 times that of ordinary furniture surfaces.
Dilemma of Light and Airflow
Light Attenuation Curve
Every increase of 1 meter in canopy width results in a decrease of 300 lux in indoor illuminance. A typical south-facing living room has an original illuminance of about 2000 lux, which drops to 800 lux after placing a medium-sized banyan tree for half a year, approaching the lower limit of the national building lighting standards.
Blockage of Airflow
Experimental models show that a banyan tree 1.5 meters high can reduce indoor wind speed by 40%. In a sealed space of 3m×4m, the rate of increase in carbon dioxide concentration is 1.8 times faster than in environments without green plants.
Potential Structural Risks
Root Destruction Test
The annual growth of potted banyan tree roots can reach 1.2 meters, filling a 60cm diameter pot in five years. In one case, the roots of the banyan tree broke through the ceramic pot, causing the wooden floor to bulge by 3 cm.
Humidity Chain Reaction
The characteristic of a daily transpiration rate of 5L keeps the indoor humidity consistently above 75%. Continuous high humidity may cause secondary problems such as wallpaper peeling and electrical component dampness.
Understanding these practical contradictions may make us appreciate the wisdom of the ancients who said, 'Do not plant banyan trees in the courtyard.' If you still yearn for a tropical style, you can consider alternative species such as the split-leaf philodendron or the fishtail palm, enjoying greenery within safe limits.