Plants are an integral part of our life and we love growing, eating, and enjoying all different types of vegetables, herbs, and fruit. We want to select the right plant for the right space for the right purpose. Sometimes that means edible plants don’t always make the most sense, especially in an indoor environment where light, space, and maintenance time are at a premium. For that reason, we often recommend growing a variety of easy-to-care ornamental plants in an indoor environment. These plants don’t need to take up much space, are forgiving when it comes to light/water requirements, and can provide a number of benefits both tangible and intangible. Here are a few reasons you may want to convert some of your indoor space and grow some plants, whether it is in your office or home.
1. Plants Are Part Of Our Natural World
As we strive to live in harmony with natural world, it can make a lot of sense not only to spend time outdoors with plants, but also to bring them indoors into our home and office environments. There are many species that require little light, water, and care, meaning little extra time or attention needs to be spent having plants as part of our indoor spaces.
2. Plants Can Improve Productivity
A study published in September 2014 showed that objective measures of productivity increased by 15% with the presence of plants, even if the plants have no formal work-related function. This study looked at large commercial offices in The Netherlands and the UK over several weeks and months.
3. Plants Can Improve Your Health and Sense of Well-Being
That same study found that employees’ perceptions of air quality, concentration, workplace satisfaction also increased in the experiments. Another study showed that office vegetation offers “micro-restoration” for our brains to recharge.
4. Plants Add Life and Energy
Plants add another dimension to any environment. They provide another life form, purify the air, and because they come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colours, and textures, they can be used in almost any type of design and style. They don’t have to be expensive to purchase or maintain, yet provide numerous tangible and intangible benefits.
5. Grow Edible Plants For Improved Health and Nutrition
We like to grow a variety of sprouts and microgreens indoors all year round. Some of our favourite varieties include pea shoots, sunflower microgreens, and broccoli sprouts. Depending on the variety, they are ready in 5-10 days and provide a delicious boost of fresh greens to any meal. In the winter, we bring in a few plants to give them extra protection from the elements, and to enjoy harvesting from them all winter long. Some of our favourites include mint, bay laurel, and lemongrass.
These are just a few of the reasons we love growing plants indoors. Some of our favourite and easy to grow indoor plants include aloe vera, snake plant, peace lily, and spider plants. Try out one today and if you need help with the plants and suitable containers, we can help you with that too.
Cover Image by naturalflow, used under its Creative Commons license.
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