For many people in our communities, their home has now also become their office space.
Taking this into consideration, it is imperative that this newfound office still serves as a place of solitude, no matter its current newly added function. So why not add some plants into your home that are not only aesthetically pleasing but are beneficial to your health too.
Local garden maven Melanie Walker says plants anywhere in the house really lift the spirits, and are also extremely beneficial to the healthy ‘climate’ in your home.
“One only needs to look at the current trends, especially on Instagram, to realise that beautifying and colouring your environment green – especially if you don’t have a garden or much ‘outdoor’ space to play with – has become huge worldwide.”
Walker explained plants are not only good for the environment but great for your soul, “Think about it – they’re the reason we have oxygen to breathe, as they do the opposite of what we do during the day.”
She went on to say they apparently also reduce your stress levels and can help improve concentration and productivity. This is why companies should really consider having them in offices too, especially open-plan areas.
Although this cycle changes during the nighttime hours when plants stop photosynthesising, there are some plants, known as ‘carbon scrubbers’ that continue to emit oxygen the whole 24 hours. She said snake plants, or commonly known here as mother-in-law’s tongue (sanseveria), and our local little spekboom (portulacaria afra) are the two best at that, though there is evidence that some orchids, succulents and bromeliads do the same.
“These are the plants that you would have in your bedroom, as competing for oxygen while you sleep, especially in winter when we mostly have the windows closed, is not optimal.”
Walker shared there has been research done by NASA, which has revealed that your houseplants can remove up to 87 per cent of toxins in the air in a day. Though many people are a bit wary of having indoor plants, she said it’s usually because they think they don’t have green thumbs and are going to end up killing them. However, it’s all down to positioning and watering, get that right, and you’ll soon have a jungle in there.
“We must remember that in winter times, heaters are on in our houses, and this dries out the air along with the pots the plants are in. Our spaces also become a little more dusty, so ensuring you wipe down the leaves to keep them clear of dust, and a little bit of leaf spritzing should keep them happier than if you just water them every now and then.”
Sadly, a lot of people do forget to look after their plant babies in the same way they would of their other home facets. Essentially, they need food, water and a little bit of love for them to give you all that joy.
There are some indoor plants that will need a little more care than others, especially palms which may fall prey to pests such as scale or woolly aphids.
