Why houseplants are the healthy hobby we can all enjoy

It’s the home interiors trend that is showing no sign of fading anytime soon – houseplants are here to stay (if you remember to water them, that is!). Of course, filling your home with Peace Lilies, Christmas Cacti and Spider Plants can not only add a fresh pop of colour to your décor, it can also have multiple benefits for your health and wellbeing. Read on as we reveal what they are…

Top 6 benefits of houseplants

1. The satisfaction of nurturing something: Watering, feeding, pruning, and repotting a houseplant can sound like a lot of work, but there is an immense sense of satisfaction to be had from helping something grow, flourish, and bloom.
   
   
2. A connection to the outdoors: Adding a touch of greenery to your surroundings can provide a connection to the natural world outdoors which can be especially beneficial to those who can’t get out as much as they would like.
   
   
3. Reducing stress and anxiety: The act of repotting a plant, feeling the compost in your hands, and smelling the scent can be a particularly mindful one, and regularly tending to your plants has been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety.
   
   
4. Naturally controlling humidity in the home: Too much humidity in the home, particularly in areas such as the bathroom and kitchen, can lead to mould forming on windowsills and walls. Houseplants, however, can help to prevent mould by absorbing moisture through their leaves.
   
   
5. Purifying the air: Not only do houseplants remove carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air but they can also help to filter out toxic chemicals in the air. (Don’t just take our word for it, NASA actually did a study on it!)
   
   
6. The hobby that keeps on giving: If you’re keen to grow your houseplant collection and take your indoor garden to the next level, try your hand at propagation. If you find you’re more green-fingered than expected and grow lots, you can gift some to friends and family, or why not enter your favourite into your local country show?

Of course, to get the benefits you need to put in the time and effort – and some houseplants can be more demanding than others! If you like the idea of having an indoor garden here are a few of the easiest houseplants to start off with:

The perfect starter houseplants

• Cacti and succulents: Place on a sunny windowsill and water sparingly – that’s all there is to it!
  
  
• Peace Lily: Water once a week and a Peace Lily will eventually reward you with a beautiful tall white flower. Plus, these plants will let you know exactly when they need watering by drooping their leaves as a clever visual reminder.
  
  
• Dracaena: Ideal for those looking to add a little more drama to their décor, these spikey houseplants can grow over 2metres tall if placed in a suitably sunny spot.
  
  
• Monstera: Known for its distinctive large leaves, the Swiss Cheese Plant is a fast grower so add a support stick to keep it upright and watch it thrive.
  
  
• Christmas Cactus: These beautiful cascading plants are easy to propagate and will bloom once a year to add a welcome burst of colour to your home.

Discover a whole range of new hobbies at Brio

Here at Brio Retirement Living, we’re passionate about helping residents discover new hobbies and experiences. That’s why each Brio community has a dynamic schedule of fun and engaging activities and pastimes, designed to enrich the daily lives of all residents and provide an opportunity to connect with each other. Plus, we regularly host talks and workshops for anyone looking to take their hobbies a step further.

To find out more about life within a Brio Retirement community, head over to our Contact page.