Five Reasons Everyone Should Own a House Plant

THE BENEFITS OF OWNING HOUSEPLANTS ARE ENDLESS!

Houseplants boost mood and creativity, provide purpose, and bring life into a room. With plants, a home becomes not just a lush respite or sanctuary but an extension of yourself in the most welcoming way imaginable. Not that you need any convincing -but in case you do- here are 5 reasons why everyone should have houseplants:

1. AESTHETICS

Probably the most obvious reason, plants can visually transform a space and make it feel like home or a vacation getaway. Plants come in every shape, size, and color, making them easy to decorate with. You can transform your bedroom into a jungle by adding large floor plants like Sansevieria and Ficus Burgundy. If you are limited on floor space or want variety, hang trailing species like Pothos from shelving or the ceiling to fully immerse yourself in green. If you have light in your bathroom, you can make it feel like a tropical oasis with humidity loving plants such as Calathea and Alocasia. Your kitchen could be an indoor garden of herbs or you could turn your office into a desert by mixing different cacti and succulents together.

2. CLEAN AIR

Being inside for long periods of time can be stifling, but having a fresh indoor environment can ease the feeling of needing to get out. The more plants you have in your home, the cleaner the air will be. All plants remove toxins from the air, but some, like Sansevieria, Dracaena, and Palms are better than others. Their strength lies in numbers however, large numbers. So while your plants’ efforts may go undetected, the presence of having real plants thriving indoors is enough to freshen the vibe.

3. PURPOSE

Houseplants give you responsibility and something to look after that isn’t as demanding as a pet or a child (depending on the plant you pick). You can put as much effort as you would like into your plant care or as little, but regardless they give you the opportunity to interact and nurture.

Propagating plants is equally meditative and rewarding. Growing new plants from cuttings is exciting because you see life grow, and it’s also fun to give the gift of plants to friends and family, particularly ones you raised yourself.

Plants are easy to divide and propagate, so you could spend time growing new plants out of existing ones. Vines and branches can be cut back to improve health or can be wrapped around trellises or banisters to create more dynamic growth. Plants respond to the amount of care they receive, and reward you with offshoots, blooms, and maybe even vegetables or fruit.

4. IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH

Houseplants are central to “self care”. Studies show that houseplants boost productivity and creativity, thus lowering stress and anxiety. They have also been proven to reduce depression and feelings of loneliness. Plants have a homebody nature and quiet beauty that all people gravitate to. They are rooted and provide an assurance of stability many of us need during times of uncertainty. Plants also provide a point of interaction as well as a point of commonality between individuals. Social media has helped plant lovers connect with each other from their homes and has fostered an engaging and positive community!

5. CREATE A SCHEDULE

Low maintenance or not, all plants have care requirements. We require care as well, but sometimes (or a lot of the time) we short change ourselves. We make sacrifices for others or our jobs or things that seem more important than ourselves at the moment. While skipping out on a moment of relaxation may seem insignificant, those moments can quickly add up, especially if you’re oblivious. To put it point blank, if you don’t pay attention to your plants, they die. And so do we when we neglect ourselves. Plants hold a visual reminder to make personal time and stay on track. Start or end the day by watering your plants, rotating them in the sun, or pruning as necessary. Plant care can be as therapeutic and ritualistic as drinking your morning coffee, making the bed, or walking the dog.

What are you waiting for? With so many clear benefits, there’s never been a better time to become a plant parent! If you’re looking to ease into owning a plant babe, try visiting a local plant shop or store that specializes in houseplants so you can get a feel for what types of plants will work best in your home.