Plants look fantastic, but the wellbeing benefits of plants is often overlooked. Did you know that there is increasing evidence that having plants in our homes and workspaces can help us feel healthier, happier and boost our productivity?
So how do they do it?
Seeing plants grow and thrive is mood enhancing, it just makes us feel good! This has a lot to do with their ability to bring our interiors to life- a room without plants seems a little dull and lifeless. And it’s probably our strong connection as humans to nature that means even the simple act of bringing nature into our immediate surroundings makes a difference. Try layering plants around your home and office with larger plants in pots on the floor, smaller plants on desks and tables and plants trailing down from shelves and windowsills. This will create your very own green haven.
The simple act of caring and nurturing for our plants is stress and anxiety relieving. Many of us look forward to that time where we switch off, slow down and just focus on that task and the satisfaction that brings- these moments of plant induced mindfulness!
And it’s much easier than you think to keep them healthy too. The plant care essentials are:
Regular watering – just don’t overwater or have their roots sitting in water. Many plants love humidity, so mist with a water spray too when you water them.
Temperature & light - few plants like extremes of temperature; generally, a warm bright spot, out of full sun and cold draughts is perfect.
Food - add liquid plant food to their water in Spring and Summer.
There’s a wealth of information available online and in books if you really want to take it seriously though.
However, it’s their air purifying qualities that attracts most attention when it comes to wellbeing benefits.
Numerous studies over the decades, which began with NASA in the 1980s, focusses on their ability through their natural processes such as photosynthesis, to remove harmful pollutants, increase humidity and increase oxygen levels. All of this has a positive effect on us, with the improved air quality reducing headaches and allergies and enhancing our mood and mental focus.
If you’re unsure which plants to welcome into your home or office, here are a few suggestions for air purifying, easy-care plants, that we usually have in stock:
Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron scandens)
Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana)
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Rubber plant (Ficus elastica) - pictured below
English ivy (Hedera helix)
Devil's ivy (Epipremnum aureum)
Spider plant (Chlorophytum)
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
