Houseplants have more to offer than visual beauty. TV gardening presenter and Thrive Ambassador David Domoney looks at how they can help support our mental health.
By David Domoney
As we spend a proportion of our lives indoors, it makes sense to bring nature inside to make the most of its benefits.
Houseplants have a lot more to offer than just their visual beauty, in fact they can have a positive impact on our mental health.
A person waters a houseplant
The responsibility of keeping a plant alive may be daunting, but it provides a focus and new tasks to keep up to incorporate into your routine.
Checking the soil regularly, then watering and feeding when needed is a great way practice to get into.
Creating new habits such as cleaning the leaves of dust and debris is therapeutic and important for the plant’s health. Whilst concentrating attention on these tasks, it distracts and takes focus away from daily stresses.
This time also gives a break from the screens that we find ourselves spending more time with. It allows time to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature.
Swiss cheese plant. Photo: Karen Eads/Unsplash
There is so much joy in watching your plants grow, whether it’s watching the flowers of Gardenia jasminoides (Cape jasmine) bloom or watching a new leaf of the Monstera deliciosa (Swiss cheese plant) uncurl.
Knowing that you have played a part in that plant thriving can boost esteem, confidence and make us feel good. Losing yourself in caring for plants reduces stress levels, leading to calmer moods.
A succulent is prepared for propagating
Houseplants have had something of a resurgence, with people sharing tips and successes on social media. This can allow like-minded people to connect with one another, and share the love for indoor gardening.
Not only can houseplants be shared online, but propagating plants from ones you own is a great way of increasing stock to pass on to loved ones.
Propagate plants such as Sansevieria trifasciata (snake plant) and Curio rowleyanus (string of pearls) by taking cuttings and potting them up to be grown on.
Receiving a plant as a gift is a living reminder of the person who gifted it, giving the plant a sentimental value that will hold happy memories.
A bright lounge filled with houseplants. Photo: Veronique Trudel/Unsplash
Of course, the visual beauty of houseplants is a huge plus. They can transform a house into a home by softening harsh interiors with their soft foliage.
Their presence can brighten up the space with their magnificence. It can also encourage us to open the curtains and the windows to let light and air into our space.
Though it may not seem it, having houseplants to greet you as you come home can reinforce feelings of security and familiarity. They can help make you feel comfortable and homely.
- David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist and a TV broadcaster, working on shows such as Love Your Garden.
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