Looking for a new way to spruce up the look of your home while also boosting indoor air quality?
Need a design statement that can improve your mood as well as make your bedroom look like it belongs in the pages of an interior design magazine?
If so, then indoor plants are the answer you’ve been searching for.
But how exactly can houseplants improve your life and your environment, and what are the best indoor plants for your design scheme and health needs?
That’s what this post is all about.
Keep on reading to learn everything you need to know about adding a little more green to your space.
The Health Benefits of Common House Plants
Now, let’s talk in greater detail about the health benefits of indoor plants.
Though indoor plants may not allow you to skip cleaning your home altogether, they can actually pull toxins out of the air and lower indoor pollution levels.
They can decrease the carbon dioxide levels in your home, better balance humidity levels, and even get rid of airborne dust. So, especially if you suffer from allergies, getting more indoor plants might be the solution that you need.
Some plants, like jasmine and lavender, can help to lower your overall stress levels. They do this by regulating your blood pressure, slowing your body’s cortisol production levels, and keeping your heart rate healthy.
Plants can also help you to get a better night’s sleep — and even help you to stop snoring! (We know in particular that your partner will appreciate that benefit.)
This works because indoor plants can regulate the air temperature in your home, so your body both falls asleep faster and gets into a better sleeping rhythm for longer.
Finally, some plants may even be able to help you to deal with chronic pain. Sure, that’s because, as mentioned above, they’ll help you to sleep better. But it also has to do with the leaves of some plants, and their ability to stop headaches by improving air quality.
What Are the Best Indoor Plants for You?
With so many common houseplants to choose from, it can sometimes be tough to know which ones are the right fit for you.
The right plant often depends on the level of care that you’re able to provide, as well as how much sunlight gets into your home or office.
You should also consider the level of irrigation that you’re willing to commit to. If you’re not interested in having to frequently repot your plants, or drain out their roots?
Then something like a cactus might be a better fit for you.
Also, think about where they’ll go in your home. Spider plants look great hanging from your ceiling, while succulents are perfect for lining your bookshelves.
You’ll also need to think about plant size.
Depending on the space you’re looking to spruce up, small succulents might be a better fit for you — especially if you fear overcrowding. But if your home has lots of empty space?
Don’t be afraid to go for big and leafy plants. Just remember to research how big the plants you’re considering are likely to get.
Find out more about picking the right plant size on the Plantz website.
Caring for Indoor Plants
Let’s face it — unfortunately, not all of us have been blessed with a green thumb.
Sometimes, you feel like you’d even be able to find a way to kill an artificial flower.
The good news?
Indoor plant care is surprisingly easy, and the vast majority of these plants are extremely low maintenance. Though their specific care will vary based on the plant itself, there are a few hard and fast rules when it comes to house plants and succulents.
For potted plants, the goal should be to ensure that soil remains damp, but not too wet. If you water plants too much, you’ll end up seriously damage their root system. The thicker the leaves of the plant, the more often you’ll need to water them.
And when you do water the plants? Stick with room temperature water.
When it comes to sunlight, you’ll need to strike the right balance. Direct sunlight can burn the plant and its leaves, so we suggest either using fluorescent lighting or putting them by a smaller window.
If the plant has a flower, it will need about 16 hours of light a day. If it just has leaves, 14 hours should be enough.
If you have succulents, then you should place them right by a window — they need more light than most plants. However, you will only need to water them about once every three to four days. When you do water them, however, make sure you use more water than you would with other types of indoor plants.
Ready to Revamp Your Space with Indoor Plants?
We hope that this post has you excited about adding the right kind of indoor plants to your space.
Not only can house plant tie a room together and cover up blank space. They can also improve the air quality of your home, help you to get a better night’s sleep, and may even be able to help you to ward off headaches and other minor pain.
Looking for more ideas about how to take your interior decor to the next level? Need advice on how you can live a healthier and happier lifestyle by making small — and actually doable — changes?
We can help.
No matter the kind of life hacks you’re looking for, our posts ensure that you’ll get the most out of every experience.