A happy home starts with a happy mindset, but at times it’s also the things inside the home that make us feel cosy and content. Whether it be a pop of colour with some cushions, an organised kitchen full of Nutra Organics products or a plethora of plants scattered throughout. We all know how important greens are to maintain the health of our bodies, (oh hai there Super Greens + Reds). But did you know that plants are as important for our home environment? We caught up with our friends over at The Borrowed Nursery to talk about what makes a home happier with plants, colour and life.
“Healthy plants in our homes can actually have a positive impact on our body and mental health. Over the years, there’s been a lot of research into the health benefits of having indoor plants. Indoor plants are known to be great air purifiers, in particular sansevierias, commonly known as snake plants. Plants have also been known to improve productivity, which makes them a great addition to any space needing a little brain boosting effect. Studies have also shown that plants can aid in relaxation and reduce levels of stress and anxiety” - we’ll take fifty please!
The Borrowed Nursery say they love plants because of the versatile way they transform a space, particularly when it comes to indoor plants. They explain, “you can personalise your greenery with so many options of plants and vessels in a range of styles, colours and finishes. So not only do plants themselves add colour in their foliage and in some cases their flowers, but you can also add more interest to your space in the pot you pair it with.” And we agree that creating a home with pots and plants that add to your daily satisfaction as well as your overall health and wellbeing will be sure to put a wider smile on your dial.
We asked The Borrowed Nursery their advice for keeping plants alive and well. “As experts in the industry, it’s hard to apply a blanket rule to watering when it comes to plant varieties. Whether it be indoors or outdoors, they each have unique requirements. That’s why some people can find it a little overwhelming when it comes to taking care of a new plant baby. Overall, the general guide to follow for your indoor plants is when it gets hotter, in the growth seasons of spring and summer, you’ll generally need to water your plants more frequently, anywhere from 1-3 times a week, again this is just a general rule,” they said.
“For the cooler autumn months, as plants aren’t growing as much in this phase (some becoming dormant) you’ll need to reduce your watering.” They added. “Again, while this will vary plant to plant, it might mean you only need to water once a fortnight. Some plants are great at telling us when they're thirsty, keep an eye on the foliage and if it appears droopy, then it’s time for a drink. Monitoring the soil is also a great way to check, you can place your finger to check that the soil isn't drying out anymore then around 3 cm from the top. The best thing you can do from the get go is to select the plant that is suited to the level of time you want to put into it.”
“Another really important factor is to be aware of the light requirements. We can all be a bit hard on ourselves when it comes to the care of our plants, but if you’ve placed it in an area where it doesn’t get enough light, regardless of the effort and time you are putting in, the odds are not in your favour. One plant that does actually thrive on neglect is the Zanzibar Gem. On average only requiring watering once a month and being quite tolerant to low light. The best thing you can do from the get go is to select the plant that is suited to the level of time you want to pop into it. One of our team's favourite plants is the Monstera varieties. They are fast growing, really low maintenance and have super lush foliage.”
Remember to take care of each home you live in, your body, our house and of course, the earth. Being healthy and happy rarely, if ever, happens by accident. Intentions are made up of things like clean spaces, clean food choices and clean thoughts. These are the things that spread joy and happiness! The more you water and nourish these things, the more they grow, much like plants.