Houseplants to Make You Feel Good – Part 2

| TheLittleBotanical

The Health-Boosting Power of Plants

A large bright room with a huge glass window and a glass door opening out to a patio. In the room on the left is a pink sofa with a sheepskin rug laid on it. On the right is a pink armchair. By the window are a number of potted plants including a monstera swiss cheese, snake sansevieria, aloe and palm in a belly basket.

As we told you last week, April is Stress Awareness Month and on 7th April we celebrate World Health Day. In celebration and recognition of these events, TLB is bringing you the second part of this two-part blog, to share with you the power that indoor plants can bring to making you feel good.

What are the Benefits of Indoor Houseplants?

We covered this in last week’s blog too but we think it’s worth another mention – we don’t think we can say it too often that our wondrous houseplants not only make a fab addition to your home from a visual viewpoint, but they also have the power to reduce stress, increase productivity, enhance wellbeing, improve memory and reduce tiredness.

Last week, in our first instalment, we focussed on the stress-busting power of plants, so this week, for part two, we are going to look more closely at the ways in which the humble houseplant can give your health and wellbeing a boost.

On the left are two plants in belly baskets next to a grey sofa with a tropical leaf cushion. On the right is an image of a sofa in a room next to glass doors, with a rounded coffee table in front of it. There are potted plants on the coffee table including a miranda succulent and monstera deliciosa swiss cheese plant. By the doors are two larger plants.

Plants for a Breath of Fresh Air

The theme for World Health Day 2022 is ‘Our Planet, Our Health’ and in the spirit of that theme, we are being encouraged to reimagine a world where clean air, water and food are available to all. Now, of course, this is a big topic covering a wide range of issues and our lovely houseplants can’t solve them all. But thinking about clean air, well we think it’s only fitting to use this opportunity to remind ourselves about the wondrous power of air-purifying plants. Here at Team TLB, we will never cease to be amazed at the multitalented, all-round awesomeness of these green superheroes.

Not only do they look good, but they also do good. These botanical beauties purify the air around us by reducing carbon dioxide and increasing oxygen through photosynthesis and some of them even remove harmful toxins such as formaldehyde and toluene from the air too. Simply marvellous! The cleaner air that these clever plants leave us with is so beneficial to our overall health, introducing air-purifying plants to your home or office can result in fewer headaches, dry throats, stuffy noses and skin irritations and also contribute towards higher levels of productivity.

We’ve picked out some of our favourite botanical air-purifiers to help you bring a breath of fresh air to your home. And you won’t have to compromise on style either, because all these lovely greenies come ready-styled in our bespoke TLB ceramics or belly baskets.

A bold and bright beauty, this yellow and green Big Dracaena will make a striking statement in your home, bringing a fresh new look as well as fresh clean air. If you’re looking to make a bigger statement, then check him out in the XL size. It gives the same air-purifying power with an even bigger wow factor.

On the left is a staircase with little potted succulents on the right hand side by the wall on each step. At the foot of the stairs is a large plant in a belly basket and a snake sansevieria plant in a grey pot. On the right is a white kitchen with potted plants on top of high cupboards as well as on the counter and behind the sink.

The Devil’s Ivy is one of our all-time favourites when it comes to air-purifying plants. Whilst sitting pretty, either trailing or climbing and adding a vibrant pop of green to your interiors, this guy also works hard to remove all manner of toxins from the air.

Another hard-working, air-purifying, trailing beauty is the super English Ivy. This deep green Ivy was a top-scorer in a NASA study looking at air-purifying plants. He was found to remove a wide range of toxins including benzene, formaldehyde and toluene. Simply amazing.

On the left is a peace lily in a grey pot and a devil's ivy in an almond pot. Both are on a wooden and copper table with a copper mister, in front of a sofa. On the right is an english ivy plant in almond pot contained in a macrame hanger.

For a little retro, trailing chic, check out our Spider Plant. His long, two-tone leaves will inject a fab dose of style and interest, and to really maximise those retro vibes, pop him in one of our funky, natural, macrame plant hangers. All this retro style and clean air makes for a winning combo!

Another of NASA’s top performers among air purifying plants is the lusciously leafy Chamaedorea. With his impressive spray of long, green leaves, this guy will bring a touch of exotic elegance to your space.

For a beautifully graceful, air-purifying option take a look at the oh-so calming Peace Lily. Known as the bringer of peace, this green, leafy beauty with fabulous white flowers, is just perfect for adding a touch of tranquillity. If you’d like to know a bit more about the fabulous Peace Lily, check out our blog on this favourite of ours.

Our next pick is the fabulous Sansevieria, also known as the Snake Plant and fondly referred to by the TLB team as ‘Snakey’. Not only is this tropical, hard-leaved beauty a fab air purifier, but he’s also super low-maintenance and will tolerate some neglect. Even more, his striking upright leaves make a style statement that’s hard to beat. Even more so when he’s styled in our chic copper bullet stand – totally swoon-worthy!

On the left is a peace lily plant in a grey pot next to recipe books and a yellow mug. On the right is a snake plant in a copper plant stand next to a small potted succulent in a grey and copper pot.

Ferns are known for being a little trickier to care for than some of our other green beauties, but we don’t think this should stop you from considering adding a Boston Fern to your indoor jungle. This guy is the easiest of the fern family to look after and once you’ve got to grips with the care routine, you’ll be rewarded with fabulously feathery style and interest as well as wonderfully purified, cleaner air.

On the left is a potted Boston fern on a wooden island stool. Next to it are a few potted plants on a small wooden stool. On the right is a smaller potted Boston fern in an almond pot, sitting on a recipe book next to a copper watering can and wooden chopping boards.

Plants to Help You Get Well Soon

With all this talk about using plants to help us to improve our health and wellbeing, it’s easy to forget that we all do get under the weather from time to time. The good news is that when this does happen, there is one green beauty in particular whose wonderful healing properties can help us to get well soon. Let us introduce you to the oh-so-fabulous Aloe Vera.

Now it’s highly likely that you’ve heard of Aloe Vera before. The gel that’s found in his long, upright leaves is a popular ingredient in skin care creams and other cosmetic products, thanks to its wonderful soothing properties. Not only that, but this fabulous houseplant is also a top-notch air purifier. With all this going for it, plus the fact he’s pretty easy on the eye, could there be any better plant choice for keeping your spirits up when you’re feeling low?

On the left are two plants - a snake plant in a grey pot and an aloe in a grey pot. They sit next to some herbal tea with the aloe pot on top of some books. On the right are three grey potted plants on a wooden and copper table next to a sofa with books on it.

Plants to Bring Joy and Happiness

It stands to reason, that if you can make yourself feel joy and happiness, you’re sure to give your wellbeing a boost. Here at TLB HQ, the presence of greenery makes for a joyful and happy work environment. However, there are a couple that we think work particularly well for inspiring these feelings.

First up, is the ever-popular succulent; the Crassula, also known as a Jade Plant. Looking a little like a miniature tree with its abundance of deep green petal-like leaves and standing a little taller than most other succulents, this stylish little guy is sure to bring on those feelings of joy and happiness.

Another of our favourite happiness-inducing green beauties is the delicate String of Pearls, a much sought-after trailing succulent with gorgeous, long, trains of pearl-like leaves. Just beautiful trailing from a high shelf or a macrame plant hanger.

On the left are three grey potted succulents next to a mug of tea on a stack of three coasters. On the right is a close up of a string of pearls plant in a grey and copper dipped pot.

If trailing beauties really do give you all the happy vibes, you’ll also love our cute String of Turtles or even his little brother, the mini String of Turtles. With an abundance of tiny round leaves, all boasting a distinct turtle shell-like pattern, these guys are simply stunning. Pop them in your bathroom where they’ll enjoy the lovely humidity and make a nice, hot shower your happy place.

On the left is a close up of a small string of turtles plant in a grey and copper dipped pot on top of a book. On the right is a string of pearls and string of turtles plants, both in grey and copper dipped pots, in a tiled wall alcove.

Our last two picks here are fabulous flowering plants because really, you just can’t beat a floral display to raise a smile, especially at this time of year! Have a browse of our stunning selection of orchids, you’re spoilt for choice with an array of sizes, colours and ceramics so you’re sure to find one to lift your mood and suit your space. Or, if orchids aren’t quite your thing, check out our collection of flowering begonias. Choose blooms of light pink, bright pink or yellow, and stoneware pots in charcoal, grey or almond. And for an extra, happiness-inducing treat, these flowering beauties are now available in a gift set with our new range of luxury chocolate – how blooming lovely!

On the left is a jungle orchid plant in a grey pot on a pom pom coaster next to wooden chopping boards and bowls. On the right is a pink flowering begonia with a packet of Arthouse chocolate next to it, with its green chocolate unwrapped underneath.

Plants to Help you Communicate and Relate

It’s good to talk, right? Here at TLB, we are firm believers in the power of good communication and the importance of being able to listen and relate to the people in your lives, whether it be a friend, partner, work colleague or even the delivery guy. And there are some super plants in our collection that we find help us to communicate that little bit more clearly, and relate a little better to those around us. If this sounds right up your street, check out our top picks.

First up is the Pilea Peperomioides also known as the Chinese Money Plant, the gorgeous round, green leaves on this beauty are plentiful and they stretch beautifully from elegantly long stems.

Another fab option is the stunning String of Hearts, a trailing beauty that will sit pretty, up high on a shelf as those heart-shaped leaves cascade delicately down.

On the left is a chinese money plant on a wooden bath tray next to a grey towel and black top. On the right are wooden hexagon shelves containing three potted plants.

Add a touch of outstanding interest to your indoor jungle with the stunning Begonia Maculata, also known as the Polka Dot Begonia thanks to the unusual white spots on his luscious leaves. These are one of the most unique looking houseplants you can choose and are sure to boost your communication power and style – whilst adding a ‘wow’ factor at the same time!

On the left is a close up of a polka dot begonia in a grey pot. On the right are three plants on a wooden bath tray with blue tiles in the background.

So here ends our two-part blog all about the wonders of indoor houseplants; how they can help to brighten your décor as well as your mood, with their amazing stress-busting and wellbeing boosting powers. As always, if you have any questions at all related to your green beauties, please do get in touch at [email protected]. Keep healthy plant people.

With Love

Team TLB x

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