As we mentioned last week, April marks Stress Awareness Month, and on April 7th, we celebrated World Health Day. In recognition of this event, TLB is delighted to present the second part of our two-part blog series, highlighting the incredible benefits indoor plants offer in promoting well-being and reducing stress.

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.

The theme of World Health Day in 2024, “Green Health: Growing Wellness Together,” radiates with positivity and vitality. This theme celebrates the profound connection between nature and wellness, highlighting the transformative power of plants in nourishing both body and soul. As we embrace “Green Health,” let’s revel in the rejuvenating benefits of gardening, whether it’s nurturing indoor houseplants for cleaner air or tending to lush outdoor gardens for physical activity and mental refreshment. Here at Team TLB, we will never cease to be amazed at the multitalented, all-round awesomeness of these green superheroes.

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.

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.

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!

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 Fern to your indoor jungle. The Boston Fern is the easiest of the fern family to look after and once you’ve got to grips with its care routine, you’ll be rewarded with fabulously feathery style and interest as well as wonderfully purified, cleaner air.

The Asplenium Antiquum, or Bird’s Nest Fern, would also make a delightful addition to any indoor garden. With its sturdy, glossy fronds unfurling from a central rosette resembling a bird’s nest, this fern brings a touch of tropical elegance to any space.

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?

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.

If trailing beauties really do give you all the happy vibes, you’ll also love our cute Peperomia Rotundifolia.
Commonly known as the trailing jade or round leaf peperomia, this is a charming little succulent with small, round, glossy leaves that cascade gracefully from slender stems. This petite plant is ideal for bright, indirect light conditions, making it a perfect fit for a spot near a north or east-facing window where it can enjoy gentle, filtered sunlight.

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.

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 outdoor Hydrangeas. Choose a pair of blue, pink or white blooms to add a pop of colour to your patio, flowerbed or porch.

And that wraps up our two-part blog series delving into the marvels of indoor houseplants—how they elevate your decor and uplift your spirits with their incredible stress-relieving and well-being enhancing abilities. Remember, if you have any questions about your green companions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. Stay green, stay healthy, plant people!

With love,

Team TLB x