Care2 Healthy Living/The Nature Conservancy of Canada: Bringing Nature to You: The Power of Houseplants

Care2 Healthy Living | Bringing Nature to You: The Power of Houseplants
Bringing Nature to You: The Power of Houseplants
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    By: The Nature Conservancy of Canada
    September 15, 2018

    About
    Follow at @NCC_CNC

I’ve always loved plants. I like their color, their smell and the feeling I get when I’m surrounded by them, both inside and outside the house.

Last year, I started covering the entire windowsill of my bedroom with houseplants and experienced their benefits first-hand. I’ve noticed that since adding houseplants to my space, my mood has improved and I’ve felt more relaxed. I have several potted plants in my office here at the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) in Edmonton, and I find that having them in my space has a similar positive effect.
Health Benefits of Houseplants

It turns out I’m not the only one who feels positively influenced by the presence of plants. Research and studies have been done to discover and help reinforce the idea that these natural elements can help contribute to our overall well-being.

The “How nature contributes to mental and physical health” study, published in 2004 by Jules Pretty, suggests that the presence of living things makes us happier. One of the levels of engagement with plants that he suggested was that just viewing nature in our home or office can have a positive effect on our mental health.

The results of a study published in  in 2005 reinforced these findings. Researchers measured the human response to people having plants in their workplace versus not having plants in their workplace. They found that participants who didn’t have an outdoor view or plants in their workspace experienced the highest degree of tension and anxiety.
Houseplants that are East to Care For

Houseplants need care to thrive, but some are easier and more resilient than others. Last year I bought some new houseplants. It’s been over 10 months and they’re all still green and growing! Here’s what you can find around my house.

Money Plant is a great houseplant that thrives indoors.
1) Money Plant

This potted plant has an unusual braided trunk and emerald green oval-shaped leaves. Some believe that this plant brings financial success, hence the name. Regardless of whether or not this plant makes you rich, it’s easy to take care of, and its presence is sure to enrich your space. Place it in a sunny area — on a windowsill or side table.

Allow the plant to get quite dry before watering, and make sure any excess water can drain out of the bottom so the roots don’t rot.

A jade plant is a great houseplant that thrives indoors.
2) Jade Plant

Jade plants are resilient, easy to take care of and can live for decades if well taken care of, making them a very popular houseplant. They have green, oval-shaped leaves and thick, wood-like stems.

For best results, place it in an area that has at least four hours of direct sunlight a day and give it a generous amount of water ever few weeks. If the leaves begin to spot or dry up, it’s likely a sign that the plant needs more water, so just respond accordingly and the spots should disappear within a week.

These plants are bright, beautiful and perfect for anyone, regardless of their past plant expertise.

container garden
3) Herbs

The only thing better than having a plant as a decoration is having a plant that you can also eat! This is why herbs, such as basil, are some of my favorite houseplants.

Basil has green, oval-shaped leaves that can be harvested and used for dishes like pasta and spring rolls. Basil loves sunshine, so it’s usually best to put it on a windowsill that gets a lot of sun and water it once a day. If the plant begins to wilt, just give it an extra helping of water and it should bounce back within a day or so.
Creating an Indoor Green Space with Houseplants

We all have busy lives and we don’t all have time to get outside every day, so try bringing a little bit of the outside world into your space instead. Don’t wait until the next time you’re having an off day to start decorating with greenery.

Although nothing will entirely replace the benefits of getting outside in nature, houseplants can still help you relax and improve your mood when you’re stuck indoors.

The Conservation Internship Program is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Summer Work Experience program. This post was written by Jackie Bastianon and originally appeared on the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s blog, Land Lines.

Post photo: Pots of plants (Photo by Pexels, CC0)
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14 comments
Snezana Miletic
Snezana Miletic42 minutes ago

Thanks
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Janet B
Janet B43 minutes ago

Thanks
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Jeramie D
Jeramie Dabout an hour ago

Thanks
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Larry McDaniel
Larry McDaniel1 hours ago

Thank you
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Chrissie R
Chrissie R2 hours ago

I agree with Ann B! With six cats in the house...I grow cacti and succulents!
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Ann B
Ann B2 hours ago

i love house pleants BUT cats and house plants dont mix well
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Sherry Kohn
Sherry K3 hours ago

Many thanks to you !
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Krzysztof J
Krzysztof J6 hours ago

Ty
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Angela K
Angela K7 hours ago

I could not live without :-)
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Catrin Schuetz-Kroehler
Catrin S16 hours ago

Love plants .
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