Why Your House Should Be An Indoor Jungle
Photo by Samuel Zeller
Plants are so much fun. You get to plant them, watch them grow, take care of them, and enjoy their ambiance- almost like a little pet. However, they aren’t just aesthetic additions to your house, they do have benefits. And after learning these benefits, I want my house to almost be like a jungle.
Here are just a few of the best benefits of having and indoor garden:
Plants Help Us Breathe Easy
When we breathe we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Inversely, plants absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen-- we are natural best friends! Indoor plants allow us to have higher air quality oxygen in our homes allowing us to breathe easier. This will also help improve your length of deep sleep.
Plants Absorb Toxins
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are common toxins found in home such as gas emissions, formaldehyde, and chemicals in emitted from paint. Plants absorb 87% of these toxins within your house allowing you to have cleaner, purified air. Your little natural purifiers work 24 hours a day to keep your air the highest quality as possible.
Photo by Unknown Wong
Photo by Sonnie Hiles
Plants Increase Happiness
Many studies have shown that the presence of plants release endorphins, lower stress, and increase moods. By simply having plants in your home, you will automatically fell better everyday. Put plants in your bedroom to wake up happy and energized.
Plants Help us Get Over Illnesses
Research shows that having plants in a room will help rid you of your sickness faster. Hospitals have began placing plants in every room. Patients in rooms with plants request less pain medication, have lower heart rates and blood pressure, experience less fatigue and anxiety, and are released from the hospital sooner. Plants are miracle workers day in and day out.
Plants Sharpen Focus and Creativity
In classrooms with plants, students attention span is 70% longer than students in classrooms without plants. This goes for creativity as well. The mere presence of plants can make you into the next Picasso.
Plants Can Be Used As Alternative Medicines and Cooking
Not only do plants affect how your body functions, you can also use these plants as alternatives to medicine and in many recipes. Aloe Vera is a great example of a natural medicine, you can use it for sunburn, skin brightening, and as a detoxifier. As for cooking, I have an herb garden in my home and it is one of my favorite parts about cooking- heading to my garden to pick my home-grown, fresh herbs. It has inspired me to cook more meals at home. Look for plants that are edible for your indoor garden.
Photo by Ken Treloar
How many plants do I need?
To improve health: one large plant (8-inch diameter pot or larger) every 129 square feet. In your home office or classroom, position plants in view of each person.
To purify air: 15 to 18 plants in 6- to 8-inch diameter pots for an 1,800-square-foot house. That’s roughly one larger plant every 100 square feet.
What Plants Should I Grow?
Chrysanthemums- top air purifying plant by NASA’s
Spider Plant- removes toxins
Ficus- air purifier
Dracaena- removes toxins
Peace Lily- removes toxins
Golden Pothos- easy to grow and purifies
Aloe Vera- absorbs lots of CO2, can be used to heal cuts and wounds
Any Herbs and Spices- many grow fast and you can use them in the kitchen
Here is a website for the 26 best indoor plants!
Plants are a great, natural way to add interest to a room. They help you mentally, emotionally, and physically. There are hundreds of benefits from decreased eye irritation, headaches, and respiratory problems, the above are just a few! Why not change your house into a mini jungle?
