Houseplants are said to be "something to be enjoyed by looking at the color, shape, and pattern of the plant's leaves," and most are shade-tolerant so that they can grow indoors.
Having a little bit of nature in a room can be soothing to the mind, as well as your eyes and provide beauty to the surrounding landscape. And did you know that these houseplants have many other decorating benefits in addition to their role as interior decorations? In this issue, we will introduce some of the advantages and cautions of placing houseplants indoors.
What are the benefits of houseplants?
1. Stress Relieving Effects
Houseplants are effective in relieving stress.
Plants release phytoncide, an aroma component that promotes relaxation, and it is believed to be one of the reasons why people feel more relaxed when they take a forest bath.
A study published in the journal Physiological Anthropology also found that active contact with plants, such as seeing and touching them, reduces stress both physiologically and psychologically.
Indeed, even when we are busy, looking at a plant may help us to relax and feel at ease.
Surprisingly, harmless microorganisms called "outdoor fins," which are present in the soil in which houseplants are planted, have been called "nature's antidepressants" and help the brain release "serotonin," which helps to stabilize the mind.
It seems that many studies have scientifically proven that plants reduce stress.
2. Effects to recover from visual fatigue
For modern people who often look at computer and smartphone screens, the effect of recovering from visual fatigue is very much appreciated.
In an experiment to measure "flicker value," an indicator of eye fatigue, after computer work, the results showed that the "flicker value" of the group that looked at plants after work was by far the lowest.
Some ophthalmologists recommend placing plants by the TV or computer because the color of the plants reduces eye fatigue.
By naturally drawing the eyes to the plants, it is said to have the effect of avoiding looking at the screen for a long period of time.
3. You can enjoy it as a part of your interior design
A houseplant alone makes a room look stylish and beautiful.
Houseplants can be used in any room with any taste, so they do not interfere with other furniture or interior decorations.
In Feng Shui, houseplants are considered a symbol of vitality, so they can also enliven the interior of your home.
If you like a simple interior but feel that it looks somewhat drab, try adding a decorative plant as a point of interest.
4. Cleaner air
Unlike fake greenery, houseplants are living plants.
They breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen.
When they breathe, they absorb toxic substances in the room along with carbon dioxide, so the air in the room is always kept clean.
Toxic substances contained in indoor air include formaldehyde and toluene, which are extremely harmful to the human body and cause sick building syndrome. These are generated not only by the materials used to build the house, but also by furniture, etc., so the air inside the house may be polluted without our knowing it. With houseplants, we can breathe these in, expel them through the roots, and have them decomposed by microorganisms, thereby purifying the air. It is truly a natural air purifier.
5. Humidity control effect can be expected
Houseplants also have a "humidity control" effect.
When the humidity in a room is low, they humidify the room by increasing the amount of water transpired from their leaves. Conversely, if the humidity is high, they will absorb excess moisture.
Dry room air can cause various problems such as rough skin, dry eyes, and sore throats. In order to maintain a moderate level of humidity throughout the year, it may be a good idea to place houseplants in addition to relying on humidifiers.
Recommended easy-to-grow houseplants
Pyrea peperomioides
Pepelomyoides is a houseplant also known as a "pancake plant" because of its large round leaves. Succulent, drought-resistant, and easy to care for, it is a good choice as the first houseplant to welcome.
Depending on where you place it, watering once a week in the fall and winter will be fine. As long as you are careful not to over-water, there is basically no chance of failure.
Another lovely point is that the leaves are not beautifully round, but round and oval-shaped when you look closely.
The round leaves popping out are very cute, and watching them grow little by little will surely relieve your stress and heal your mind.
Banyan Tree
The banyan is a unique houseplant with a sturdy trunk. It is easy to care for and has high vitality, so it is recommended for beginners.
The banyan has a root called an "aerial root" coming out from the middle of its trunk, which absorbs moisture from the air and takes it into its body. It is no problem to cut them off, but if you dare not cut them off and leave them as they are, they will enhance the interior design of the banyan tree.
Although standard, each trunk has its own unique shape, so they are often displayed as stylish interior decorations.
Pachira
Pachira is a popular houseplant for indoor interiors because of its shade tolerance and resistance to drought and heat. It can be easily grown indoors in the shade as long as it is warm, so it is recommended to place it in a bedroom. It is very tolerant of drought, so be careful not to overwater it. The attractive pachira with its beautiful green foliage and braided trunk is 8" in size and should be placed on the floor.
Monstera
The Monstera is a lovely houseplant with lobed and perforated leaves. Just having a Monstera indoors makes you feel as if you are in a tropical country. It prefers semi-shady areas, so we recommend placing it indoors where it can get some sun. I chose a bright green pot for the size 6 Monstera. Enjoy displaying it on a table in the living room where the family gathers.
Points to keep in mind when incorporating houseplants
When incorporating houseplants, you need to take care of them by paying attention to the following points so that you can enjoy the beauty of the plants for a long time.
Maintain them properly and take good care of them.
Proper watering
Houseplants are living organisms, so it is important to water them regularly. The amount and frequency of watering depends on the size of the plant and the size of the pot. Basically, if the surface of the soil in the pot is dry, give it plenty of water. If watering is not your thing, start with plants that need less frequent watering, such as cacti and air plants. When purchasing houseplants, it is a good idea to check with a gardening store for information on how to grow them.
Pruning and other maintenance
When houseplants are grown for a long time, their leaves and branches grow and the overall balance of the plant may be lost. It is said that plants are mainly active from May to July, so it is a good idea to prune them during this period. When pruning, it is advisable to
・Branches that are dead and lack vigor
・Branches that are growing in odd directions
・Crowded areas with leaves and branches
Please prune in the following areas.
Be careful where you place them
There are various types of houseplants, including those that prefer sunlight and those that prefer shade. Basically, most houseplants are shade tolerant so that they can be easily grown indoors, but if you have a specific location in mind, check to see if the plant prefers shade or not before you buy it. Even if the plant prefers sunlight, direct sunlight must be avoided, so be sure to check the location of the room in which it will be placed and the amount of sunlight it will receive. In addition to sunlight, good ventilation is also important for houseplants. Be aware that poor ventilation can lead to mold growth in the soil and insect infestation.
Discard water in the saucer regularly
It is common for water to accumulate in the saucer of a houseplant pot. If water runs out of the bottom of the pot after plenty of watering, be sure to discard the water in the saucer to keep the pot clean. If water remains in the pot indefinitely, mold or insects may grow from it. It can also cause the roots to rot.
The Bottom Line
We hope you now understand that houseplants are not only pleasing to the eye with their beautiful appearance, but also have many wonderful qualities. They can grow well indoors in semi-shady or shady locations as long as they are placed in the right spot, the temperature is controlled, and watering is done correctly. It is also interesting when deciding where to display your plants by incorporating feng shui. It is said that decorating the room with houseplants is effective in maintaining mental and physical health. Why not decorate your room with indoor houseplants that allow you to easily get in touch with nature?
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