For years, I would tell people “I don’t have a green thumb–I can’t grow plants.” Yet, I do love flowers in my home. Lillies are my favorite, and I will buy them when in season every week! But green plants—”no way”, I’d say. I tried and killed more than my share. That was until I took a beautiful Peace Lily home from my Dad’s funeral in 2009. I wanted a living remembrance of him in my home.
So, I became determined to learn how to keep it alive and cultivate a green thumb. And Daddy’s Peace Lily has been growing for 12 years now. As you see below, I almost lost it for fear of re-potting it, but with a bit of research, I prevailed and have been able to keep it thriving!.
When my Mom passed, I brought another Peace Lily home from her memorial in 2019 with me. I’m proud to say that I have both my parents with me now. And truly, I feel I do.
I mist them every morning and greet them with a “Good Morning!” They seem to greet me back. When I water them, I can almost feel them saying “Mmm, that feels sooo good!” I believe because plants are living things, they can carry the spirits of others. It may seem impossible to some, but when I first brought my Mom’s plant home, I put it on one side of a large window, across from my Dad’s. He seemed to wilt almost immediately. I moved Mom’s plant next to his, and he perked right up the next day. Incredibly, the white flower that traditionally grows on Peace Lilies had stopped growing on my Dad’s plant for ten years.
Once I put my Mom’s plant next to his, within a few weeks, my Dad’s sprouted a white flower for the first time in a decade. He wanted to touch his girlfriend by his side. To me, I have proof that plants can spiritually bring gifts of joy, light, and good memories in grieving times. I get to enjoy my parents every day.
But plants bring so much more to a home environment.
From EcoWatch.com, here are 7 science-backed benefits of having plants at home:
1. They Help to Improve Mental Health. Plants make people think of open spaces, especially for those living in urban areas. Plants are also peaceful. No matter how crazy your day has been, plants are just there, growing. And that can be calming. The air quality benefits of plants releasing more oxygen into the air and taking out more carbon dioxide helps the brain function, and the releasing of the right kinds of hormones helps to support mental health. So, if you suffer from depression or anxiety, get some plants! But get ones that work for you—if you don’t want to water daily, get a cacti. If you like smells, get flowers to make you feel happy and relaxed, again releasing good chemicals from the brain.
2. Your Immune System Gets a Boost. When you are more relaxed and sleeping well, you can fight off colds and flu bugs easier because your immune system is working better. Plants also carry airborne chemicals like phytoncides which help reduce stress, again helping the immune system. Is it any wonder why hospitals encourage plants and flowers in patient’s rooms and also have plants nearby?
3. Your Productivity Is Improved. Plants liven up work spaces and provide stimulation to décor. In these times of work from home and school at home, plants can provide much needed creativity and inspiration and less stress. You don’t need a jungle of plants—a few will do.
4. Your Relationships Are Improved. When you are taking care of another living thing in your home, your compassion improves. And that compassion can spread to others. We’ve all heard that talking to plants is good for plants, and it’s true! Plants thrive on the carbon dioxide we exhale, and we thrive on the oxygen plants give back. I enjoy talking to mine. And they seem to enjoy the conversation. Importantly, for those with limited social networks, especially now, plants can provide solace when feeling lonely.
5. They Improve Your Learning Abilities. Because of the phytonutrients plants give off that help settle the mind, focus and clarity is improved, in both adults and in children. There is also the factor of smell. Certain smells can trigger memories and things you remember you studied. When I have fragrant lilies near me when I’m working, I feel more productive for sure. And the calming nature of plants also helps to calm the mind, making it easier to stay focused and not overwhelmed. Who knew all this, right?
6. Plants Improve Your Home’s Air Quality. Did you know that the air in your home can be worse than the air outside? That’s because pollutants can get in but may not have a way to get out. Plants can help with that. This is because of the airborne chemicals that plants release. Research states that plants can remove 87% of pollutants in the air including ones like formaldehyde and benzene, both which have been known to cause cancer! And if you have pets, plants can help get rid of the pollutants pets bring in from the outside. The plants use the pollutants as fertilizer—they grow from them while we breathe better!
7. They Add More Humidity to the Home. I didn’t know this, but plants release most of the water they take in, adding humidity to rooms. This is great to relieve dry heat in bedrooms and reduce the need for humidifiers. It’s like Mother Nature is taking care of you in so many ways with plants in the home!
So, if you aren’t good with plants, start with some easy ones. Here’s a good list from The Sill.com, a great website for learning how to grow houseplants. Their prices may be a bit high, but try Home Depot, Lowe’s or Farmer’s Markets, especially for flowers:
Listen, if I can do it, you can too. So, green up your thumb and get some plants or flowers to benefit your home and your life!
Hugs,
Amy
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