Why you simply can’t go wrong with the indoor plant trend 

The indoor plant trend has blossomed during the lockdown with many purchasing a desirous plant to revitalise their personal spaces, help them become a glowing green thumb and give them a purpose during the long lockdown days. Plants are the perfect interior decor item due to their revitalising image and the sense of life they project into a room. But, their positive attributes on both the body and mind may not be the first thing that sprung to mind when potted by buyers.

Plants sit patiently, get a healthy balanced diet and continuously grow. Having this calm aura in the home helps bring residents back down to reality and the meaning of life. Live a healthy life, nurture yourself and tend to those around you, and simply grow. These really are the basics of surviving that plants remind us of. But, there are three deeper benefits to plants that are very clever and truly thought-provoking.

Rubber Plant

The Rubber Plant is renowned for its air-purifying qualities due to its large leaves that can attract lots of airborne chemicals, bacteria and mould spores. The latter are actually very dangerous for the growth and health of plants, which is why plants kills these organisms while they are still airborne. As oxygen is pushed up from the roots, the inhaled air and the negative contaminants are drawn down into the roots, where microbes in the soil break them down into either nutrients for the soil itself, or harmless compounds. This is the basic act of an air purifying plant.

To maintain the health of the rubber plant, keep it damp around the clock (You’ll want it to be neither bone dry nor flooded) and make sure to place your plant pal in a bright spot, but not necessarily in direct sunlight. The rubber plant thrives in average room temperatures and can grown up to 8 ft tall, so give it a home and let it rest there for the rest of its days.

For more information regarding maintenance visit House Plants Expert or My Garden Forest.

Peace Lily

The Peace Lily is one of the prettier purifying options but don’t underestimate it! The Peace Lily has the ability to clear the air of benzene and ammonia, and research found that this plant on its own can increase air purity by 60% if well kept. It’s one of few tropical plants that can thrive indoors with little neglect too.

The Peace Lily should be kept out of direct sunlight in moderately high-humidity and should be well-watered but left to dry slightly before the next round of watering. It’s also important to note that the Peace Lily’s leaves are toxic to humans and pets, so leave out of reach of children and spray with a warm mist every week or so.
For more information visit Earth Easy.

Golden Pothos

The Golden Pothos has a reputation for being one of the easiest house plants to care for, hooray. The Golden Pothos is a fast-growing plant and when well cared for can trail to 10 feet long. But, take precaution to keep it out of the reach of children, as it’s sap can cause irritation (and obviously don’t ingest it)

The Golden Pothos doesn’t do well in direct sunlight and prefers a shaded home with a comfortable humidity - if it’s good enough for you, it’s good enough for Pothos. Just like every other plant in this section, make sure to let the soil dry out in between waterings, which should occur every one to two weeks.

Plants are natural stress-relievers

Plants release mounds of oxygen and inhale carbon dioxide that helps un-cloud your mind, if you will. Plants also improve your mental health by making you think more about nature and the outdoors and less about the fact that you may be ‘boxed in,’ or that you’re surrounded by artificial stuff - concrete walls, mounds of technology, etc. 

If you take a look online, there are countless articles that note the aroma of certain plants as a natural stress-reliever - including Marie Claire. In the said article, the award-winning British author and consultant named as ‘Emma’, noted that studies have shown a significant reduction in fatigue, anxiety, hostility and anger by around 40% each when a houseplant is kept near and dear.

Our little companion, the internet, also stresses that plants with a strong sense of aroma are the most successful in restoring healthy, uplifting and positive emotions. I’ve seen it myself. During lockdown I completed my exam’s from the discomfort of home. The exam was online for a full 48 hours and  I spent 12 hours a day, if not more, cradled at a desk. During this time I made an effort to consistently re-fill my humidifier with a lavender or rose scented oil. Although not plants, the natural smell helped me remain as de-stressed as possible and helped clear my mind.

Lavender

There’s a reason we all love a brisk Lavender scent creeping around the house in the evening. Lavender’s sweet, earthy scent is renowned to put people to sleep (one of my favourite uses of the scent is in LUSH’s ‘Sandman’ bedmist) You can also get Lavender as an oil or in tea, which is also highly helpful in ridding your body of the anxieties of the day.
According to Sunset, ‘Lavender is the absolute easiest thing in the world to grow,’ especially in a spot that gets the best indirect sunlight. As always, ensure the soil has almost dried out before giving the plant a big drink of water.

Weeping Fig

The Weeping Fig - possibly not the most positively named plant - is actually a wonderful plant for supporting the relief of depression. The Weeping Fig removes irritants and toxins out of the air we breathe, thus helping consume more beneficial air.

To care for the weeping fig, choose it’s spot carefully and leave it be. This spot should get around 6 hours of natural sunshine a day to maintain the health of the plant. Water the Weepig Fig when the top layer of soil begins to dry out.
For more information visit HGTV.

Chamomile

Chamomile has very similar health benefits to lavender as it is used mainly to reduce the feeling of stress and anxiety when we’re at home. This plant is popularly consumed in tea, which is amazing as it is also loved for its inflammatory reduction qualities too.

Your Chamomile plant should be popped in a sunny and warm area. The soil that houses your chamomile should be kept moist and well-watered, always.

Plants’ health inducing qualities

And finally, the health inducing qualities of indoor plants.

“Plants help give the immune system a much-needed boost, especially during flu season.” According to Eco Watch, the health-inducing benefits of plants go hand in hand with the mental benefits. If you find yourself gaining more mental cleanliness from plants and are therefore able to sleep better, you’re more likely to feel well rested and more able fight off the usual winter un-wellnesses.

Now of course these plants aren’t at all medicine conquerers, so please don’t rely on these potted pals to treat illnesses. These upcoming plants are, however, well known for helping support healing and some even date back to ancient greek where they were used as medicines!

English Ivy

English Ivy is a wonderful plant to have around the home due simply to it’s multitude of health benefits. In ancient Greece, people actually used English Ivy to reduce swelling and prevent intoxication. The plant was also used as a natural anaesthetic. Today, English Ivy is still known for its medical properties; including it’s ability to treat asthma, bronchitis, arthritis and inflammation.

English Ivy thrives in relatively humid conditions and prefers a lower lightened area to live. The English Ivy has a tendency to dry out quickly, so keep away from direct light that will inevitably make the plant warm, and water regularly. You can also spray the plant weekly with room temperature water to prevent infestation.
To learn more, visit Healthline and Flower Shop Network.

Chinese Evergreen

According to an article by House Beautiful the Chinese Evergreen plant has a ‘high transpiration rate’ that supports humidify the air around it. The wonderfully high humidity that the plant creates helps decrease the survival of the flu virus particles that float in the air around us.

The Chinese Evergreen plant requires continuously moist soil and a high humidity home to thrive. Make sure you don’t over-water the plant, as this could lead to fungal problems such as root rot. The Chinese Evergreen plant is a tropical plant and thrives in areas of filtered light - never direct sunlight.

Rosemary

A study by Northumbria University found that rosemary is a natural memory stimulant. According to Jamie Oliver, noted in an article by the Independent, boiling the plant releases even more aroma into the air of your home, boosting the healthy stimulant even more. When you have a moment, try boiling some Rosemary and take it all in.

Rosemary should be introduced to six to eight hours of sunlight per day in order to thrive. Rosemary also lives a healthier life in warm, humid environments and should actually - unlike our other noted plants - remain dryer than others. Allow more time for these plants to dry out during watering sessions, and be sure to feed them well.
For more information on Rosemary, visit Gardeningknowhow.