House Plants - What Are The Benefits?
House Plants - What Are The Benefits?
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| Local Garden Centre Selection #houseplantgoals |
I have only recently started my house plant collection and I will introduce you to them here today. But I have long been an advocate for bringing the outside in, especially in the darker winter months. I understand the emotional benefits of having flowers around me, even twigs (I use for decorating) herbs to cook with, general greenery for wreath or table decorations, and of course my Yule Log. They all have their own inspiration, purpose or attachments, maybe even some cultural beliefs but here are some of the other benefits, that I thought I could share with you all. As you know my blog is one to help inspire us all live a happy, healthy and fulfilled life and house plants can certainly do that!
Emotional and Mental Health Benefits.
- Spending time in nature , looking at plants and flowers both inside and outside has for a long time been recognised as a peaceful moment , engaging the senses and telling the brain to be present and mindful in that moment. Whilst the practise of being mindful can be undertaken during almost any task it been shown in recent studies that being with plants verses say using a computer will significantly reduce stress levels. (One Study Source)
- Mental health and mindset. Setting ourselves goals to feel the 'wins'. There is a huge sense of achievement and love that goes into nurturing even the simplest of house plants. (Some really take no care and will grow in just air!) I think nothing can beat the feeling of coming home after a stressful day or waking first ting in the morning to find your spider plant has had a little baby or your prayer plant has a new leaf unfurling, it can really bring a sense of achievement, happiness and well being.
- The colour green promotes feelings of emotional stability , love and security which is important to our ongoing mental health. All colours in fact trigger an emotional response in animals and humans. There are many studies explaining this as a therapy in its own right. Most humans are drawn to things that are aesthetically pleasing , so to have green around us can be of benefit to our emotional health. (One Study Source)
- Studies have shown it can also improve our concentration and productivity by around 15%! (Dr Chris Knight from the University of Exeter concluded this in his study from 2014)
- Plants bring feelings of calm, reduce anxiety and make perfect relaxation aids.
Physical and Emotional Health Benefits.
- Better air quality come from having living plants around the home. They do an excellent job as all plants do in absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, which is what we breathe so excellent news for us! One NASA study showed they improved air quality by 87%. (One Study Source)
- Increases humidity by a process called transpiration, this is where it takes up water through roots and and let water out through its leaves. This can help deter illnesses certainly during the winter months.
- Reduces VOC's (volatile organic compounds) These are substances found in some cleaning products, paints, furnishings, glues, fuels, air fresheners etc often found in many homes. VOC's are also commonly known as 'smog' which is when these substances mix with nitrogen oxides. If you live in a city or even visited on you will understand the experiences associated to smog and the effects it can have on your health.
Emotional Benefits.
As a practitioner of flower essences I also know how plants, trees and flowers all hold their own life force and energy and can support our emotional health through essences. I will be exploring this over coming months more. But here is how essences can help. So having house plants around us can bring this vibration and energy into our living environment and own energy centres. For more information on that you can visit www.naturalmagick.co.uk My Favourites And Why !
You will always find fresh flowers in my home , as well as lots of other bits of nature I have collected along my travels but as promised here are some of my favourite new house plants and some information on them. As my collection grows I will share these with you. If you already have a collection or would like to tell me about your favourites. Please let me know in the comments below
Sansevieria Fernwood Mikado ( Rod Wood Snake Plant)
My first house plant and succulent this plant is virtually indestructible. It is very effective at cleaning the air in a room, in particular it will remove toxins such as benzene, xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from the air, it needs well draining soil but only needs a slight water a couple times a month. The perfect plant to start with, it is also a very robust and interesting to look at. I bought mine at the local garden centre but you can find them here on Amazon too!
Calathea Zebrina (Zebra Plant)
One of the most beautiful tropical plant really loves its pride of place in our living space at home. A massive injection of green colouring and large ovate leaves that have a zebra print pattern on (you can see how the name came about). Its eye catching and beautiful. It likes a warm, but shady spot and does grow rather large. Its fascinating to interact with too, as it closes its leaves at night time and opens them again in the morning. It is a good idea to feed this plant one once a week, I personally use BabyBio which is serving this one well. I also take it upstairs for a warm shower once a week. Letting it stay in the bathroom whilst everyone has a shower, so it has chance to soak in the humidity and then taking the opportunity whilst it is there I give it a light spray so a washing/watering of its own. (Your plants become your children!) Held in a pot, that pot then sits on a moist piece of kitchen roll inside a basket, mine is from www.next.co.uk but you can get similar here (or here), this is then home back in our living room where we can love and appreciate it daily. This was a special purchase as it was more of an investment than others , mine came from my local garden centre. They were extremely helpful and knowledgeable.
Chlorophytum colosseum (Spider Plant)
The Spider plant is a fabulous plant to have at home. This one just keeps growing and growing. I love this plant because all of a sudden it grows babies. So you can get extra 'free' plants from your main plant. This plant is perfect to have in your kitchen if you cook with gas, to have if you live near a road so might get pout ants come in through windows or doors as its extremely effective at cleaning up carbon monoxide. All of our vital organs need oxygen so anything around us that can enhance the quality and quantity of oxygen we get can support our health. Better Levels of oxygen can also improve our brain function, sleep, concentration and creativity. So these are great to have in the workspace as well. It is very easy to look after needing just a spray of water every few days depending on how dry your home is. Keep it out of direct sunlight but make sure it gets the light and its happy. Easy to take cuttings from, just snip off just below a node (see the picture below) and pop into a vial of water or plant straight into soil and it will root into a new plant. My plant came from Perfect Plants on Amazon here is a helpful link
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera)
Aloe Vera is a exciting plant to keep at home. A powerful air purifier. It is an interesting and easy to look after plant and is another one of those that will produce babies (called pups) easily. So more free plants! Keep it in a sunny spot with slightly moist soil and it will thrive. It is a handy one to keep in the kitchen as the gel inside is naturally anti-bacterial so perfect for treating minor cuts or burns. Full of vitamins the gel can be easily squeezed out**. When your plant has obviously grown its time to take some time away from the screen and give it some attention. I usually tip mine out of its pot on the draining board at home and gently prise the roots and soil away from the pot. As I do this any pups that have formed will break away easily. They will mostly have their own root system so it is just a case of replanting them in some good quality soil and watching them grow and mature into their own new plants. Very satisfying. My Aloe Vera was a gift but you can get them online and in lots of local stores here is a helpful link. **(DO BE CAUTIOUS THOUGH SOME PEOPLE ARE ALLERGIC TO ALOE)
I hope you have found this post helpful or interesting. Let me know in the comments below and why not share this blog post with others so they too can enjoy the benefits of house plants at home.
Calathea Zebrina (Zebra Plant)
Chlorophytum colosseum (Spider Plant)
The Spider plant is a fabulous plant to have at home. This one just keeps growing and growing. I love this plant because all of a sudden it grows babies. So you can get extra 'free' plants from your main plant. This plant is perfect to have in your kitchen if you cook with gas, to have if you live near a road so might get pout ants come in through windows or doors as its extremely effective at cleaning up carbon monoxide. All of our vital organs need oxygen so anything around us that can enhance the quality and quantity of oxygen we get can support our health. Better Levels of oxygen can also improve our brain function, sleep, concentration and creativity. So these are great to have in the workspace as well. It is very easy to look after needing just a spray of water every few days depending on how dry your home is. Keep it out of direct sunlight but make sure it gets the light and its happy. Easy to take cuttings from, just snip off just below a node (see the picture below) and pop into a vial of water or plant straight into soil and it will root into a new plant. My plant came from Perfect Plants on Amazon here is a helpful link 
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera)
Aloe Vera is a exciting plant to keep at home. A powerful air purifier. It is an interesting and easy to look after plant and is another one of those that will produce babies (called pups) easily. So more free plants! Keep it in a sunny spot with slightly moist soil and it will thrive. It is a handy one to keep in the kitchen as the gel inside is naturally anti-bacterial so perfect for treating minor cuts or burns. Full of vitamins the gel can be easily squeezed out**. When your plant has obviously grown its time to take some time away from the screen and give it some attention. I usually tip mine out of its pot on the draining board at home and gently prise the roots and soil away from the pot. As I do this any pups that have formed will break away easily. They will mostly have their own root system so it is just a case of replanting them in some good quality soil and watching them grow and mature into their own new plants. Very satisfying. My Aloe Vera was a gift but you can get them online and in lots of local stores here is a helpful link. **(DO BE CAUTIOUS THOUGH SOME PEOPLE ARE ALLERGIC TO ALOE) I hope you have found this post helpful or interesting. Let me know in the comments below and why not share this blog post with others so they too can enjoy the benefits of house plants at home.
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