the health benefits that come from bringing nature inside!
Go Green!
In the busyness of our daily lives, we often overlook the simple joys and benefits of connecting with nature. One way to bring a touch of green into your life no matter where you live, is by embracing houseplants. At Luxe, our coaching emphasizes the importance of holistic well-being, and houseplants can play a significant role in enhancing both our physical and mental health.
Did you know that houseplants are natural air purifiers? Plants absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants while releasing oxygen. Some plants, like spider plants, snake plants, and peace lilies, are particularly effective at filtering out harmful toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Cleaner air means better respiratory health and a reduced risk of headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Plants also release moisture through the process of transpiration, which can help increase humidity levels in your home. This is especially beneficial during the dry winter months when indoor air tends to be drier, leading to skin irritation and respiratory issues. In this same regard, houseplants can strengthen your immune system. By increasing humidity levels and reducing airborne dust, plants create a healthier indoor environment making you less susceptible to illness.
The presence of houseplants can also have a positive impact on your mental health. Studies have shown that being around plants can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The act of caring for plants can be a meditative practice that promotes mindfulness and relaxation. In addition, having plants in your workspace or study area can enhance concentration and productivity. The color green is associated with calmness and creativity, helping to create a more conducive environment for work or study. Houseplants can also improve your sleep quality. Certain plants, such as lavender and jasmine, are known for their calming and sleep-inducing properties. Placing these plants in your bedroom can promote relaxation and improve the quality of your sleep.
If you are a beginner, you will need to consider a few things before getting started. Most houseplants require bright, indirect light. They will need to be placed near a window where they can get sunlight without being exposed to direct rays. You will need to choose a container or a pot with drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating at the bottom which can lead to root rot. If you find a pot you love that does not have drainage holes you can try putting a layer of rocks at the bottom to provide some natural drainage. You will need to avoid placing your plants near drafts or heating/cooling vents. Most plants prefer temperatures between 65-75 degrees during the day and slightly cooler at night. If you need to add extra soil to your container, choose a high quality potting mix that provides good drainage. Avoid using soil from your outdoor garden as it may contain pests or diseases. Lastly, you will need to purchase some plant food/fertilizer. Plants should be fed every two to three weeks during the growing season (end of March through the middle of September). During the dormant seasons of fall and winter it's good to give them a little rest as they won’t be producing a lot of new growth during that time. One tip I recently learned is to water your plant before you fertilize as this keeps the fertilizer from burning the roots and moist soil helps the fertilizer to absorb better.
If you are like me, you may love the look of plants but worry that your lack of a green thumb will make this a pointless endeavor. Do not fear! There are plants that are virtually indestructible! Trust me, I would know!! Start with a snake plant, it thrives with infrequent watering and in low light and is one of the best options for filtering indoor air. Some other options for resilient plants that are easy to care for are spider plants, peace lilies, aloe vera and pothos, with their trailing and very forgiving vines.
In my opinion watering is the scariest part of keeping your plants healthy. Overwatering is a common mistake. Start by getting yourself an adorable watering can that will make you happy just to see it sitting there by your new plant. Then check your soil by sticking your finger in about an inch. If the soil feels dry, it's time to water. Different plants will have different watering needs so do a little research on your specific plant which will help you to gauge the amount and frequency of watering. You will also need to do some occasional pruning. This involves removing dead or yellowing leaves and trimming unruly growth in order to maintain the health and shape of your plants. Pruning is a good time to monitor for any signs of stress on your plant like brown tips, drooping leaves or pests (like aphids). If you notice an issue, don’t panic, just grab your iphone! Did you know there’s a free app to help you identify plant diseases? Check out PlantNet in the App store. If something comes up with your new leafy friends just snap a photo and send it to the app where it is compared to thousands of images in the botanical database to help you diagnose the problem.
Here’s a final tip. If you find going to your local nursery or Home Depot to look for plants too overwhelming, you can buy plants online! Just as easy as you can buy your next book club selection on Amazon, you can purchase a houseplant! Yep, that’s right, search for any houseplant on Amazon and you’ll have tons of options with reviews and even prime delivery to boot! Easyplant.com and Plantvine.com are two other great options for purchasing plants online. One word of caution, some plants can be toxic to pets and kids. Please make sure any houseplants are nontoxic or away from the reach of children or fur babies.
Incorporating houseplants into your living space is a simple yet effective way to improve overall health and wellbeing. I hope you will consider bringing nature indoors and reaping the many health benefits houseplants have to offer. Happy Growing!