Happy Houseplants

A simple, mindful practice of spending a little time with your houseplants on a regular basis, will help you understand their needs a bit more and benefit your well-being.

Indoor houseplants can make a practical and emotional contribution to our well-being. 

Numerous studies have provided a growing body of evidence to back up what experience seems to tell us: that engaging with plants and nature stimulates our senses, nourishes our minds, and has a beneficial effect on both our physical and mental well-being.

Bringing nature indoors by growing houseplants is an easy way to connect with nature. Try creating a green frame around a window to visually connect the indoors to the outdoors.

Blurring Interior & Exterior

There has been some research saying the presence of nature helps our brains work better. This research says, we associate the color green with happiness, comfort, hope, and peace. Indoor foliage can instill feelings of tranquility, safety, and calmness. Thus, increasing ideal conditions for sleep and relaxation. All this, and it cleans the air too.

Our daily lives are filled will products that leave residues in the air.  Cleaning products, gas stoves, open fires, paint, and smoke are just some of the sources of airborne toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and ammonia. Without proper ventilation, these toxins can build up in our homes and may cause headaches, nausea, low motivation, and irritation. Plants can act as a filter for these pollutants and help neutralize them. There’s a very well-known study from Australia that found, keeping three or more large plants per person in an office can detoxify the air of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by up to 75 percent. Of course, it would likely be different in a home, but there are many things you can do to help your plants clean the air.

• The more plants you keep, the greater the potential to clean the air. 

• Allow good air circulation by opening windows regularly and maximizing air movement.

• Ensure your plants have the appropriate light, temperature, and humidity levels to optimize their health and efficacy

• Help decrease the chemicals in your home by using low-emission products

Plants oxygenize the air. When we breathe in oxygen, our bodies respire to produce carbon dioxide. Plants absorb that carbon dioxide as they photosynthesize and release oxygen, helping the cycle to repeat.

 It may take a little practice and research, but it’s really easy to fall in love with houseplants and the quiet joy their presence can bring. They are beautiful companions and they also quite literally add more life to your space, making your home feel more like your own, whether you live in a small rented apartment or a sprawling house. Houseplants can provide a form of reprieve and respite from the stress of everyday life and can improve your indoor air quality, your mood, and even your health.