Foliage Feel Good

Yesterday was mothers day, My eldest son turned up with one of those trendy hanging basket plants.  I proudly hung it in my office. Every day I lovingly spritz my house plants. Spending time in nature is well known to improve our well-being and reduce stress, but you don’t necessarily have to go outside to reap the benefits of plants. More than 85% of our daily life is spent indoors, so no wonder we want to bring nature closer to us indoors. Indoor plants are certainly having a moment right now. It seems everywhere you turn there are green fronds trailing across shelves, jungle size plants bursting out of corners, and succulents taking residence on coffee tables.

Surrounding ourselves with plants and foliage is proven to be very beneficial to our well-being. A Japanese study reveals that just being in close proximity to plants reduces blood pressure and cortisol levels. Plants produce oxygen and the closer we are to oxygen, impacts greatly on our health and well-being `and the better we feel. Plants placed in the workplace can noticeably enhance productivity. A study into the benefits of plants concludes that they make us feel more grounded and connected to nature and scientists now reveal that the deeper hues of green compared to lighter shades of our plants stimulate greater positive emotions. Just a short period of time surrounded by plants can boost our mood. Why not pot some Peppermint - it’s scent and leaves are fabulous for anxiety and brewed as a tea, great for brain function and digestion.

Healing + Well-being - Spider plant, Snake plant, Fiddle Leaf Fig, Ponytail palm,

Increase oxygen levels - Bamboo, Spider plant, Rubber trees or Boston Ferns.

Productivity - Peace Lilies, ZZ plant

Anxiety + Stress - Lavender, English Ivy, Aloe Vera