Why I Love My Plants: The Benefits of Having Indoor Greenery

I have always been fascinated by indoor plants. As much as I hate to admit it, my love of plants stems from growing up with a mother who loved plants and brothers who had potted plant collections that almost rivaled their extensive vinyl record collections! Regardless of where my fascination came from, I love having potted plants around the house, and I think they serve multiple purposes that make them worth the time and effort it takes to keep them alive and healthy. In this article, I will discuss some of those benefits and explain why I love my plants so much!

Introducing your indoor greenery

There are many plants that thrive indoors. These plants, and others, provide a range of benefits for health and productivity, such as reducing stress or promoting a good night’s sleep. While not all indoor greenery is right for everyone or every living space, you can find something that fits your needs! We will be sharing tips and tricks on how to properly care for plants while making your home healthier.

Air Purification

According to NASA, some houseplants can help improve indoor air quality and purify your home by filtering toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and xylene. This is due to both natural processes (phytoremediation) and their capacity for absorbing pollutants. Green plants produce oxygen that helps keep us alive and healthy. Though plants release oxygen from breathing in carbon dioxide and releasing water vapor (both of which are good things), plants also release CO2 day and night, but because they take in more CO2 than they emit, they are still good to have around.

How many plants do you need?

When it comes to choosing a number of plants, consider whether you’re planning on enjoying their benefits personally or as part of your work. For example, if you want to reap some good air from houseplants and reduce stress levels, that might mean eight plants total: four for yourself and four for your co-workers. If you’re a florist or run an interior design business, though, that same number might apply to just one room in your home—you could have dozens more inside. Use your financial resources wisely (do not do like I first did and overbuy!) and be realistic about how much space is available in your home. Remember, there are plenty of small-space houseplants which will thrive on little light and attention!

Watering indoor plants in winter

Indoor plants not only bring color and life to a home or office, but they can also reduce indoor air pollution by removing pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene from indoor air. When you bring indoor plants into your home, pay attention to how much light they receive. While it may seem that plants need more sunlight in winter when days are shorter and darker, most green foliage houseplants will survive better with a little less sun (and of course some water [less in winter]). How do you know if your plant needs watering? In general, if your plant is healthy, its leaves should be full and plump and its soil should feel moist. If there’s yellowing on any leaves and it feels dry to touch at all, that means it needs watering on many occasions (not true for cacti)! Keep an eye out for moldy spots too—if you see black spots, it’s likely mold and that can spread quickly. But if it looks like these simple tips aren’t enough to help keep your indoor greenery alive through winter, consider repotting them before Christmas so they have new soil with good drainage come springtime!

When bringing plants indoors during the winter months, use clean pots: Always wash pots thoroughly before using them for new plants!

Tips on caring for your indoor greenery

Caring for your indoor greenery isn’t hard, but it does require a bit of effort. Here are seven tips for caring for indoor plants in your home or office: 1. Keep plants away from direct sunlight – Natural light from outdoors can be too bright (south-facing) and hot for most indoor plants, except for many cacti. Exposing indoor plants to too much light might cause leaves to wilt or dry out, leading to browning or death. If you have an east-facing window (ideal for plants), this position will benefit from the morning sun when the rays are not quite as strong. East windows are often good for plants. 2. Make sure soil drains well – Avoid using pots with drainage holes that allow water to pool at the bottom—keep water moving! 3. Keep pets away. 4.  Water plants well.  Take care not to overwater–under water if unsure.

Fiddle Leaf Fig or Weeping Fig – Which Do You Choose?

While fiddle leaf fig and weeping fig are two terms often used interchangeably, they actually refer to different varieties. Fiddle leaf is an evergreen tree native to India, while weeping fig is a type of banyan tree that can also be found in tropical regions like Africa. Both trees have leaves that resemble violin strings (hence their name), but only weeping figs possess roots that grow along branches rather than into soil. Although both types of plants require special care, it’s important to note their differences before making your purchase. If you want something easy to maintain or don’t have room for a large plant, go with a fiddle leaf; if you’re looking for something larger or more exotic-looking, opt for a weeping fig instead.

Flowering Houseplants

These kind of plants (flowering houseplants) help purify indoor air by absorbing toxins, such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. Most common flowering houseplants are easy to grow indoors year-round—just add a little bit of sunlight each day. Most flowering houseplants need indirect light from an east- or west-facing window. Avoid harsh southern sunlight, which will scorch your indoor greenery.

Orchids as Houseplants

If you’re looking for a plant that is easy to care for and produces beautiful results, consider adding an orchid to your collection. Orchids can be placed in low-light areas and will thrive without being watered as frequently as other houseplants. For best results, keep orchids on a table near a window (or even outside) where they can receive partial sun each day. If you are interested in orchids but don’t know where to start, ask friends with orchids if they would be willing to share some tips with you! Also, read up on guides on how to care for common houseplants and orchids so you have a good foundation. –MM