Growing plants at home is a trend that has grown (we love puns!) a lot in recent years and even received a special name – biophilia – bringing nature into the home.
Our innate human tendency is to constantly seek contact with nature and the ideal way to do this, especially if you don’t have a garden or a balcony where you can grow plants, is by bringing potted plants into the home.
Beyond the decorative addition and beauty, house plants have many health and mental benefits. They can improve the air quality in the home, reduce allergy attacks, relax and even help recover faster from injuries and illnesses.
Whether you are looking for a natural remedy to reduce anxiety, sleep problems, or repel insects, there is likely a plant that can help you. Plants have natural qualities that help our well being, health, joy and quality of life at home.
Want to breathe better?
There are certain plants that filter and neutralize toxic compounds (including benzene, formaldehyde, ammonia, trichlorethylene and xylene, etc.), which are emitted into the air as a result of industrial air pollution, but also from household pollutants (such as carpets, paint, cleaning agents, printer ink, cigarette smoke, etc.).
Growing plants at home significantly improves the air quality in it. Researchers have found that in homes where six or more pots are grown, nitrogen dioxide levels drop by more than a third.
Spathiphyllum, for example, is a tropical plant that is found to be very effective in purifying the air. As a bonus it also adds a lot of beauty to the space with beautiful white blooms and large green leaves.
The septiphyllum, on the other hand, is very flexible in its need for sunlight and can last with little light or alternatively with direct sun. Another advantage of it is its love for moisture and is therefore very suitable for kitchens and bathrooms.
Sansevieria is another hardy houseplant that cleans the air. and includes over 300 different varieties and sub-varieties. If you are one of those people who can “kill” even a cactus (don’t judge, we also belong to this group) then the sensivaria is just for you! It is easy to care for, saves water, is very flexible in its living conditions and can exist in different light conditions even if they are not optimal.
But if you prefer the climbing plants, look for pothos or ivy, they are also easy to grow and very effective in purifying the air.
Who needs a Dyson?!
They found that in rooms where plants grow, there is less dust and mold.
Remember the photo from the previous paragraph? So not only does it purify the air from pollutants, it also helps reduce the amount of dust in the air. Another plant with identical properties is the septiphyllum which also helps purify the air and even protects against mold.
Today, most of us live in air conditioning. In the winter they heat and in the summer they freeze. Sometimes even 24 hours a day 7 days a week. One of the main problems of running an air conditioner is the dryness it creates in the air.
There are house plants that help increase the humidity levels in the air, such as the vegetable (the spider plant), a very common plant with green and white leaves that is also suitable for those who are not good at growing plants because of its high resistance.
Another excellent plant for this is Cressula ovala, a plant with thick leaves that contain a lot of water.
Peace and love
Beyond the health and physical benefits of the plants, they also have many benefits for improving mental aspects such as reducing anxiety, inducing calmness and even relieving pain.
The essential oils extracted from certain plants, such as jasmine and lavender, have been used for thousands of years as an effective treatment for relaxation.
For example, the essential oil of jasmine has been found to help slow the heart rate, regulate the breathing rate and even reduce pain. Jasmine is suitable for growing in a sunny garden.
Lavender, on the other hand, has the qualities of lowering the level of anxiety and stress and is suitable for growing in a planter or pot with preference to a bright place. Although it blooms only once a year, the amount of its bloom is enough to be used for a long time and it is also possible to dry its flowers for making infusions.
The jasmine plant, beyond its beauty, also excels in its wonderful and magical smell. It helps with relaxation and uplifts the mood. It is also considered easy to grow and it is recommended to grow it in a bright place.
Sweet dreams
One of the common myths about houseplants is that it is not recommended to grow them in the bedroom because they will compete with us for the oxygen in the room. We are happy to shatter this myth a bit, because most of it is not true at all.
The amount of oxygen that houseplants consume is very low, as is the amount of carbon dioxide they emit. Some plants even continue to emit oxygen at night, and therefore actually help us breathe better and sleep better. It is highly recommended to grow such plants in the bedroom for those who tend to suffer from respiratory arrest during sleep or other breathing problems.
The well-known aloe vera plant also has many healing qualities. Not only does it emit oxygen at night, it also absorbs toxins from the air and it is also easy to grow.
It is recommended to grow aloe vera in a place with a lot of sunlight, but it will last even without it.
Other plants that help sleep are jasmine, lavender and gerbera.
Joy and happiness!
Pots and plants, especially those with flowers, not only create a feast for our eyes but also improve our mood beyond recognition. It has been found that exposure to a natural environment, potted plants or even a landscape of plants, can greatly improve our mood. On the other hand, an environment devoid of nature can cause a decrease in mood and sometimes even depression. For this purpose, it is recommended to choose plants for the home that spread a pleasant smell, are beautiful to look at and are colorful.
Roses for example are an excellent plant for improving mood, it is important to place them in a planter or pot where they can enjoy a lot of sun.
The lily of the valley is a very popular plant used in the perfume industry thanks to its wonderful smell. Since it also grows in the shade, it is very convenient for home cultivation.
Quick Recovery
Many studies among patients who were hospitalized in rooms where potted plants were placed, revealed that the hospitalization time was significantly shorter and their pain, anxiety and fatigue ratings were lower.
Unsurprisingly, they also required less medication.
Red clover, for example, contains phytoestrogens, anti-inflammatories (salicylic), antioxidants and anti-cancer substances from the isoflavone group that have been found to help prevent breast and prostate cancer.
Another classic plant for the treatment of cough, bronchitis, asthma and other problems in the respiratory system
The lower one is the mint plant in its various types. As you know, it is also great for making infusions.
Another wonderful plant for making infusions, is catnip. It helps in recovering from the flu, relieving digestive problems, adsorbing gases, reducing fever and more…
Think green!
