Are you thinking this article is not for you, because you don’t have a green thumb? Think again. I will share some suggestions for plants that require minimal attention but dole out health benefits that will motivate you to do what is needed to keep those plants from ending up in the compost pile.
A live plant can give a dull desk a splash of life. Putting a potted plant into an empty corner livens up a room. As singer-songwriter Beth Ditto said, “A beautiful plant is like having a friend around the house.” I love houseplants and you will find them in every room of my home—yes, even my bathroom.
Though plants are pleasing to look at, aesthetics is not the only reason to have them in your home. Some varieties will take the health quotient of your abode up a notch.
Aloe vera is familiar to most people, as its medicinal properties are touted in many healthcare products that use it as an ingredient. The gel from aloe vera leaves has long been used as both a skincare regimen and remedy. Aloe juice has also been used to treat heartburn, diabetes, and constipation.
Aloe vera is a succulent, so it does not require much care. You barely need to water it; only when the soil is completely dry. Succulents come in many varieties, so if you need an easy-care no-brainer plant, choose a succulent.
Spider plants also are good to have indoors. The main body of the plant has long thin leaves and sends out long, trailing stems with clusters of small shoots that resemble a spider hanging from a web, which is how the plant got its name.
While all plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, spider plants also are effective in absorbing formaldehyde, a chemical that is commonly found in cleaning products. These plants do well in varying conditions and do not require a lot of light. Because of their dangling shoots, spider plants are a good option for hanging or placement on a shelf.
Snake plants have leaves that grow tall and vertically, so they often are placed on a windowsill. However, they will grow easily in any light, so they don’t necessarily need to be close to a window. Like aloe vera, these plants do not need water until the soil is dry. In feng shui, the upward growth symbolizes progression and good chi (energy/life source). Be cautious if you have pets that like to nibble plants, as nibbling a snake plant will cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
The heart shaped leaves and vibrant hue of the golden pothos make it one of the most popular houseplants. This variety of pothos, along with Peace Lily, was studied to determine its purification effects for a scientific study of “…Indoor Air-Pollutants and its Application to a Real Environment.” In the study, “Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) and odors were measured to examine the purification effect of plants. As for the results, removal rate for TVOC was 74% and the one for odor was 68%.” Caring for a pothos plant is simple. Just water once every two weeks. These plants are also toxic to pets, especially cats.
It is important to note that all plants absorb toxins from the air and release oxygen but should not be expected to do the work of an air purifier. Articles often cite a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) study which evaluated the effectiveness of certain plants to clean the air. The conditions were controlled, with testing being done in an enclosed plexiglass environment and additionally air purifying systems were being used. Plants in a home, where people and animals come and go, the air is moving, and circumstances may change daily will not be able to yield the same success as found in that study.
Plants’ benefits to health are not limited to medicinal or air purification. A 1995 study in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture “…documents some of the benefits of adding plants to a windowless work place—a college computer lab. Participants’ blood pressure and emotions were monitored while completing a simple, timed computer task in the presence or absence of plants. When plants were added to this interior space, the participants were more productive (12% quicker reaction time on the computer task) and less stressed (systolic blood pressure readings lowered by one to four units). Immediately after completing the task. Participants in the room with plants present reported feeling more attentive (an increase of 0.5 on a self-reported scale from one to five) than people in the room with no plants.”
Productivity increase—who doesn’t want that? Plus, nurturing and caring for plants is good for your soul and will add to your sense of purpose.
Have fun plant shopping!
Contributing writer Denise Lum is a Health and Fitness Coach raising her family in Alameda. Contact her via [email protected] or FitnessByDsign.com. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Denise-Lum.
