Plants don’t just look lovely – they’re also really good for you. Your body, mind, and soul will all benefit from having plant babies to look after.
So don’t worry if you’re addicted to buying new plants – it’s worth it!
Here are a few of the benefits you’ll get as a plant parent:
Connection to Nature
If you live in an apartment or a city, you’ll understand what it feels like to be starved of nature. Many of us have busy lives without much space to go exploring outdoors – we get up in the morning, we go to work, we come home, we go to bed. If you don’t have a garden space or outdoor area, bringing plants into your home can also bring a sense of harmony and connection to nature.
There is something humbling nourishing and taking care of a house plant. It reminds us that we have a connection to the earth, and it’s our duty to take care of it however we can.
The ‘Parent’ Connection
While people use the term ‘plant parent’ jokingly, there’s actually a really important benefit to taking care of a living thing. If you don’t have kids or pets, looking after plants can give you a sense of responsibility – you’re looking after something that depends upon you to thrive.
Naming your plants can also help. This gives your plants more of an identity, helping you to feel connected to them.
Health Benefits
There are also some great physical health benefits to having plants around. Certain plants – like certain types of ivy, rubber plants, spider plants, and peace lilies – purify the air around them, which is especially important if you live in a very urban environment.
There have even been studies to show that looking at plants or flowers can help you to recover from injuries faster – even looking at pictures of nature can help.
Having plants around can even boost your productivity. So if you’re still working from home, you’ve got a perfect excuse to get some new plant babies for your desk or working space.
Mental Health
There have been some studies that show having plants around can help reduce stress levels. Repotting a houseplant, for example, is a relaxing task that can help us to truly unwind and disconnect from our busy lives. Gardeners understand how important this is, but if you lack outdoor space, caring for houseplants can give you the same benefits.
In fact, taking care of houseplants can help you to slow down and become more attentive. Over time, you will learn what each of your plants need from you – how they react to stress, how often they need watering, and so on. You’ll notice drooping leaves, or plants that are starting to lose their shine, and eventually, you’ll learn what these cues mean in terms of giving your plants the best care. Plant parenting gives you a chance to do something away from screens – something grounding and relaxing, that is meaningful to you.