A house isn’t a home without a plant

By Tania Moffat

Plants transform our living spaces indoors and out, but those that are invited into our homes do more for us than we do for them. The fact that they absorb the carbon dioxide we eliminate and produce, through photosynthesis, the oxygen we breathe in, make us well-suited roommates. 

Much research has been done on the benefits of keeping houseplants. Studies show plants make you happy and improve your mood, give you a sense of well-being, reduce stress, anxiety and depression, enhance cognitive function and boost creativity. Plants enhance our quality of life.

Common houseplants remove chemical pollutants from your home through a process called phytoremediation. Research studies done by NASA have shown that plants can remove up to 87 per cent of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) every 24 hours, as well as other gases and air toxins. Tests have been done on many specific varieties and are still continuing. In order to get the most health benefits from your plants it is recommended that you have one plant for every 10 square yards (90 square feet) of space in your home. 

Plants are beneficial that’s true but what if you’re not beneficial for plants? There are several plants that can survive even the brownest of thumbs. So why not give one a try? Bring a houseplant a home and benefit yourself.

Tips on watering houseplants:

• Don’t kill your plant with kindness; overwatering is one of the number one killers of houseplants.
• Fill your watering can after each use and let the water reach room temp before you water again or use tepid water from the tap.
• Water until it pours out of the drainage holes. Let it drain and then dump any excess water.
• To test soil, insert your finger two inches into the dirt. If it is dry, add water. If moist, wait a few days. For plants that love water, only let the surface dry before watering again.
• Bad signs: Leaf drop or yellowing leaves means you need to either ease up on the watering or your plant is root bound and needs to be repotted in a larger container. Wilting means it needs water.

@ 2023 Pegasus Publications Inc.