Get Happier and Healthier with Houseplants!

Houseplants are good for us in more ways than one! Here are a few of the reasons why: houseplants act as filters to help remove dust and allergens from our indoor air, plants can lift our mood, plants add moisture back to the air which furnaces take out, plants can soak up some of the volatile organic compounds found in the air in our homes from things like printer ink, carpets, and paints, plants add oxygen to the air during photosynthesis, and studies have show the following:

Being around plants has a calming effect and reduces the stress hormone cortisol.
Students in classrooms filled with plants do better on tests.
People who are hospitalized can recover faster when they are surrounded by plants.
Nurturing another living thing reduces depression and lowers anxiety.

(source: webmd.com)

If you are a beginner – here are a few tips for keeping houseplants healthy, along with photos of houseplants that are easy to grow!

Most houseplants prefer bright but indirect sunlight (although most Cacti like direct sunlight).
It is better to under-water your plants than to overwater. If the soil is dark in color, feels moist, and sticks to your finger your plant doesn’t need water. Always water with lukewarm water. Since some plants are sensitive to chemicals in tap water, it’s a good idea to let your water sit overnight.
Help raise humidity for your tropical plants by frequent misting or placing them on a tray filled with pebbles and then keeping water just below the top of the pebbles.
Don’t place your plants too close to radiator or air conditioning vents or in a drafty area.
Choose pots with drainage holes so excess water can flow out.