If you think you’ve seen more philodendrons, orchids, succulents, snake plants, pothos and fiddle-leaf figs inside homes, offices and social media feeds, you aren’t imagining things. Demand for indoor plants and a chance to bring a little bit of nature inside our walls is a growing trend.
In fact, in response to the renewed interest in houseplants, we’ve begun offering a series of free seminars at the nursery to help “plant parents” with their greenery. We have sessions on plants that are super easy to grow, how to diagnose and treat the most common indoor plant ailments, and – for those who want more than pothos in every corner of their house – a class on unusual houseplants like orchids and bromeliads.
There are many reasons why houseplants are so popular right now.
One has to do with space. Many young adults, faced with stagnant wages and high student loans, have been putting off buying a home until they are older and are residing in apartments. Without a backyard to garden in, they are turning to houseplants to fill their need to connect with nature.
But even those in homes suffer from spending too much time inside, often tied to their computer or smartphone screens. Houseplants are an antidote to the high-tech world and study after study show that they are good for our physical and mental health.
You can go back 30 years to the NASA Clean Air Study to show the benefit of plant ownership. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration was trying to find ways to clean the air in space stations. Researchers determined that houseplants not only provided oxygen while reducing carbon dioxide, they also were a natural way of removing toxins like benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air we breathe.
Recently, there have been numerous studies showing that plants have a beneficial effect on our mental health as well. Some show increases in creativity and productivity in offices where there are plants. One 2015 study measured the stress levels of young men who first performed a computer task and then did some indoor gardening. The subjects reported that the gardening was soothing and scientists who monitored the men said their blood pressure was noticeably lower after some quality time with their plants.
And it’s not just the leafy greens that are boosting our emotional well-being. Several studies point to mycobacterium vaccae, found in plant soil, as a microbe that boosts the production of serotonin (the “happy chemical”) in the body.
Health aside, many people choose to invest in houseplants as an affordable way of dressing up their indoor spaces. It’s an easy way to bring the joys of nature inside of your four walls.
What often keeps people from trying houseplants is a fear that they have a “black thumb” and can’t grow plants. The good news is that there are many plants that don’t require extensive maintenance to keep alive and thriving.
If you are new to houseplants, some foolproof ones include succulents, spider plants, philodendrons, dracaena, mother-in-law’s tongue (also known as a snake plant) and peace lilies.
In general, your focus should be what kind of light they like and how often they should be watered and fed, i.e., fertilized. It’s something we pay a lot of attention to at Warner’s – in fact, our tropical house is divided by whether a plant prefers low or high light, and we are stocked with plant food perfect for your particular type of indoor plant. And don’t forget the misters! In dry Northern Arizona, these things are lifesavers for plants that need a little humidity to shine.
To get the full benefits of houseplants, you want to have enough around that you can see one or two from pretty much anywhere in your house, but not so many that it feels cramped. I’d go with about eight for a small apartment and 15 or so for a medium size house.
If you would like to get started being a “plant parent” or add to the collection of plants you’ve already started, please stop by Warner’s. We have a wide selection and our staff has plenty of useful advice, whether you are brand new to the joy of houseplants or have been cultivating them for years.
Happy Gardening! FBN
Misti Warner-Andersen is the manager of
Warner’s Nursery & Landscape Co., located at 1101 E. Butler Ave. in Flagstaff. To contact Warner’s Nursery, call 928-774-1983.
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