The 2020 lockdown brought along a whole new wave "trends" - one in particular was the growing obsession with houseplants and its easy to understand why. Interior landscaping is a trend for the whole family, not just for grown ups!
Being cooped up indoors is hard enough, its instinctive that we, as human beings, crave the outdoors. I don't consider myself an outdoorsy person in any way, shape or form, but this year I found my love for plants and I'll tell you why its my silver lining from this dreary time.
Plants don't only serve purpose for aesthetic reasons, dig a little deeper beneath their beauty and you’ll discover that their benefits are substantial.
Plants help improve air quality
With the exception of some allergies, we can't have Peace Lily's for example, a lot of plants are actually beneficial to your health!
Particular benefits of interior plants include:
Reducing carbon dioxide levels
Increasing humidity
Reducing levels of certain pollutants, such as benzene and nitrogen dioxide
Reducing airborne dust levels
Keeping air temperatures down
Plants help reduce stress and create a feeling of well-being
Most of us know instinctively that being close to greenery makes us feel more at ease with our surroundings. We experience less stress when there are plants around us. Buildings are quieter and more relaxed but, at the same time, more stimulating and interesting. A substantial body of academic research, has shown that interior landscaping has dramatic effects on the wellbeing of building occupants.
People in offices are more productive, take fewer sick days, make fewer mistakes, and they are happier when interior landscaping enhances their environment.
There is even evidence showing students perform better in improved learning environments.
- here at CE3 we have recently undergone a refurb and now have real, air purifying plants in every room.
Plants can give us a sense of purpose and help teach our children about caring for others
Without the commitment of a pet, plants are a fantastic tool to keep us grounded and productive.
Understanding how to look after your plants, learning to read their needs and sticking to their watering schedules may sound time consuming but it really is not! Most plants will need watering once a week at most and after a while, seeing a new leaf appear gives you a lovely little boost of joy.
My 3 year old son understands that plants need water and sunlight to give them energy, just like he does. He even has a snake plant and a succulent in his room that he has the sole responsibility of looking after - don't worry, they're very low maintenance!
Houseplants don't need to be a big financial investment either. Supermarkets tend to have a good range at a cheap price, you can even find some pretty plants in the bargain bins! Or look at buying from your local independent garden centre or plant shop for something more exotic.
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