Do Shrubs Really Soak Up Excess Ground Water?

Q: My townhome's ground floor is damp. I need a small, shade-tolerant bush that will absorb water from the soil.

A: Plants don't actually "soak up" water from an area to dry it out. While some species tolerate wet roots, they don't significantly reduce soil moisture. For damp spots, choose shrubs that tolerate wet conditions (see list at xrl.us/dampshrubs). The real culprit for indoor dampness is usually inadequate ventilation, not lack of water-absorbing plants.