Low-Maintenance Plants for Each Room
Have you noticed people are leaning into lush green since the Pandemic started? More than ever, everyone is trying to stay healthy and what better way to boost your immune system than with indoor plants that can make you happier and healthier?
Did you know that plants can communicate with our immune system? It sounds very woo-woo, but scientific studies have proven plants and trees release a substance called terpines, which we absorb through our lungs and our skin and can enhance our immune system.
The most effective way to benefit from immune-strengthening terpines is to spend time in the forest, considered normal medical advice in Japan (called Shirin yoku or forest bathing). It is proven to reduce stress hormone production, lower heart rate and blood pressure, boost the immune system and accelerate recovery from illness. Not to mention improve feelings of happiness and creativity!
Since we don’t have time in our every day lives to spend hours in the forest, how do we connect with nature in our lives spent mostly indoors? Houseplants!
Plants are the easiest strategy for creating direct contact between people and nature indoors. House plants can increase health and productivity, relieve stress and even improve focus and performance. And they purify the air!
No green thumb? Afraid you will just kill the plants? My secret is to fill my rooms with low-maintenance plants that only need to be watered once a week. Every Saturday I walk around with my pretty watering can and give them a drink. That’s is my complete plant-care-maintenance routine!
You don’t need any special knowledge or equipment to take care of the following low-maintenance plants. But I would suggest that a pretty watering can might motivate you to do your weekly watering 🙂 Once you know you’re dealing with an easy-care plant, the only think to pay attention to is if it should be in direct sunlight or not. Easy, right?!
The Living/Dining Room – Monstera
Monsteras are great for the living or dining room because they add dramatic shape and texture to a space. They come in large and small varieties to fit your space needs.
Monsteras are famous for their natural leaf-holes, and has led to the rise of its nickname, Swiss Cheese Plant. Two different species of Monstera are cultivated as houseplants – the big Monstera deliciosa (above) and the smaller Monstera adansonii (below).
Light: Monstera plants are native to the jungles of Central and South America, where they grow under the coverage of trees. Therefore, the plants grow best in indirect sunlight. My living room gets a lot of light, but my plants are not near to the window.
The Bedroom – Peace Lily
Peace lilies are actually not lilies, but they filter more indoor pollutants than most other plants, so are great for bedrooms. And as a symbol of peace, this plant is fitting for the place you want to find peace and relaxation.
Light: Peace lilies are shade-loving plants in their native habitats, but when grown indoors they need plenty of filtered light, though not direct sunlight. Don’t put the plant on the windowsill if you get hours of sunlight there.
The Bathroom – Spider Plant
Despite the creepy-crawly name, the spider plant is among the most popular and easiest to grow of all houseplants. They thrive in the bathroom because of all the moisture. Set them on the side of the bathtub or high up on a shelf and let them trail.
Light: Spider plants are very undemanding in terms of light. They can even grow in a bathroom with no windows. The only condition they don’t like is scorching sunlight.
Kids Rooms – Snake (or Sword?) Plant
I wouldn’t create an urban jungle in a child’s room, but for older kids an indoor plant can bring life into their room and is something for them to take care of. The snake plant is nearly indestructible which makes it a great plant for a child’s bedroom. If you forget to water it for weeks it will most likely still survive and thrive.
Interesting to note, the spider plant is among several plants studied by NASA to show how plants can be used for air purification and to combat “sick building syndrome.”
Light: Very undemanding, they will thrive in very bright light or nearly dark corners.
What’s in a name? If your child is afraid of snakes, try calling it one of its other common names: St. George’s Sword. The “sword plant” is very fitting for a child, whereas “Mother-in-law’s tongue” is perhaps not 😉
Warning: The snake plant could be moderately toxic if ingested, so this is a plant for a big kid who can understand they shouldn’t eat it. The size and thickness of the leaves make it unlikely anyone would try snacking on it.
I hope this provides some inspiration to add nature to your home with low-maintenance plants.
If you’d like to chat with me about making choices in your home that are healthier for you and your loved ones, reach out here for a consultation.
xx
Nicole
