Everyone enjoys the sight of a cheerful plant when they walk into a home, but plants offer much more than just aesthetic appeal and a delightful fragrance. Some, such as aloe, have valuable medicinal properties, and others are beneficial for purifying the air. If you want to learn more about what plants can do for you, or if you want to impress friends at your next cocktail party, here are five things to know about plants and the value they add to your life.
Stress Reduction
Have you ever walked into a room full of plants and felt instantly at ease? It's not in your head – research has shown that plants actually do lower stress levels. For that reason, they're often placed in offices and hospitals. Interior landscaping, which is the arrangement of plants indoors, can be just as helpful in your own home. You can pick your favorite plants for an instant mood boost, as they are all capable of reducing stress levels.
Better Air Quality
Another good reason to have plants around is that they improve air quality. Plants have the unique ability to exchange water and gases with their surrounding environment, which removes pollutants and lowers dust volume in the air. Like humans, plants perform respiration. But their respiratory cycle is the opposite of ours, which means that they produce oxygen as an end product. In doing so, they lower carbon dioxide levels in the air. Plants also regulate air temperatures, which can reduce home heating and cooling needs.
Less Background Noise
If you don't like loud noises, get some plants! Plants have been used for quite some time to reduce noise levels in heavy traffic areas, such as major roadways. Research has shown that having plants in your home offers those same advantages, too, as houseplants can lower noise volume in the building. The science behind this is that the components of plants, including their stems and leaves, absorb sound waves. This, in turn, makes the living environment more comfortable for the building's inhabitants. If you're considering purchasing plants for their noise reducing properties, keep in mind that size matters. Plants with thicker leaves and trunks are better at deflecting sound waves. An alternative option, if you want a really green home, is to get many plants to decorate and sound-proof the interior.
Dramatic Interior Color
Are you ready to tear your hair out after flipping through endless pages of paint colors? If so, you're a good candidate for houseplants. Houseplants add color and draw attention to any room that they're in. You can easily use them to hide drab walls and imperfections. Some particularly beautiful plants to consider are chrysanthemums, peace lilies, and kalanchoes. Chrysanthemums prefer moderate water, well-drained soil, and sunshine. As an added bonus, they're also considered a top plant for purifying the air. Peace lilies produce large and elegant white flowers. They enjoy bright but indirect sunlight and moderate watering. Kalanchoes generate lovely red buds. They require frequent watering and plenty of sunshine.
More Meals At Home
It might sound strange, but having plants might make you cook at home more. Along with decorative plants, you can get herbs for your household. Herbs can be grown indoors and outdoors, provided you have a garden and keep up with lawn care, which prevents weeds from growing and killing off your new herbs. Some of the most popular (and easy) herbs that people grow are basil, mint, and thyme. If you want a legitimate indoor garden, try adding tomato plants to your mix, too.
This all sounds great, you might be thinking, but what if you know nothing about plants? Fortunately, there are many varieties that are easy to maintain and keep alive. One is the succulent family, which includes hardy cacti. If you live in a warm climate, such as the Southwest, you can plant succulents outside, too. Bromeliads are another excellent choice. They're stunning and versatile, and they add visual intrigue to your interior. For your garden, you have many attractive, hardy, and even delicious options. Radishes, lettuce, onions, and green beans are ideal choices if you're looking for a low-maintenance garden.
Author Bio : Sara works for “Yourgreenpal” and she loves gardening and lawns!
