If you like nature, fresh air and the happy feeling that comes when you’ve managed to keep a plant baby alive, then you’re like me.

We are all about bringing the beauty of nature to your home. Nature provides us with so many healthy remedies and resources, how could we not.  My favorite remedy is the little house plants that aren’t just there to make your home more lively, but they actually provide loads of benefits for us.

PROS AND CONS

House plants are a fantastic idea because

• House plants help purify the air by filtering out harmful toxins which may cause disease (this process is also known as phytoremediation)
• They can enhance your mood and relieve anxiety by creating a comfortable and soothing environment
• Indoor plants also help increase productivity, creativity and concentration because of its purifying properties
• They create a healthier and happier living environment by increasing the amount of clean oxygen in the room

Each plant has its own unique way of purifying the air. Putting together a combination of plants will have maximum benefit to your overall health.

I don’t know about you but I definitely could use any help I can get with being more productive!

As great house plants are, there are some negatives to look out for

• Some plants may be dangerous for pets or children
• Plants attract insects and other pests
• Over watering your plants may cause fungus

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR PLANT FAMILY

Common house plants

• SPIDER PLANT – they need bright light and moderate temperature to survive. They like slightly moist soil and only requires being watered once a week.
• BOSTON FERN – they like cool places with high humidity and no direct sunlight. Make sure your Ferns’ soil stays damp. If your leaves are going yellow, make sure your plant has enough humidity.
• SNAKE PLANT – They love indirect, bright light and humidity, but they also thrive in shady corners with low light. This plant needs to stay warm so try to avoid putting it in windy areas. Try to water this plant from the bottom to help its roots grow downward. Snake plants do not need as much water in the winter than the summer months.
• GOLDEN POTHOS – This plant thrives in bright indirect sunlight. Water every other week to allow soil to dry out.
• ALOE VERA – This plant loves to be watered, but do not over water it, as well as lots and lots of sunlight. Allow for the top layer of soil to dry before watering again, give it about two weeks. Water them less frequently in the winter to give them a period of rest.
• FICUS TREE – This plant likes moist soil, not dry or drenched. They also like bright, but indirect sunlight, high humidity and prefer less water in the cooler months.
• CHINESE EVERGREEN – they prefer to be potted in well-draining soil and not too much or too little watering. They like little sunlight and low heat temperatures.

Overall, it really does not take that much to keep your plants alive. No direct sunlight, mostly humid conditions, only water them enough to keep the soil moist but not drenched, and lastly, do not water them that much in cooler months. Easier said than done huh?

PLANT THERAPY

Finding a relaxing hobby is essential in todays’ fast paced life otherwise we simply give in to stress and burn out. I would suggest plant babies as a therapy. It’s actually called horticultural therapy, the professional practice that uses plants and gardening to improve mental and physical health.

By doing some gardening or potting and caring for your plants, you can boost your serotonin, the happy hormone, as well as the reward hormone, dopamine, that comes from completing a task.

If you need a relaxing hobby, I definitely suggest this.

P.S. My ultimate favorite plant babies are succulents. They need minimal attention and don’t die on you that easily.

Let us know about your plant family by tagging us @thesunflowerstand_organic on social media!

Yours Truly
The Sunflower