Plant Power: Why You Need Them in Your Home

Keeping some green in your home isn't a new concept–humans have been bringing them into their houses for thousands of years. However, indoor plants are definitely enjoying a renaissance of sorts, and we are decidedly behind it.

So what's the attraction? We asked our friends at The Stem, London's ethically driven online garden centre, to give us the lowdown on why we should have plants in our homes, and which ones we should be choosing.

First, let's talk about why you should pick up a houseplant (if you haven't already!). Plants can improve your health, mainly because they do the opposite of what people do: they release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. This helps clean up the air in your home and reduces toxins. Of course, this always matters, but it is particularly important during TTC, pregnancy and early motherhood.

The Stem says:
Plants can act as natural air-purifiers by removing pollutants from chemicals found in things like furniture and cleaning products. Boston Fern is a great air purifier, removing pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide from the air. It is also non-toxic, so great for households with pets or small children. Another child friendly plant known for its air purifying qualities is the Kentia Palm.

Plants are also known to improve concentration and productivity, reduce stress levels, and improve your mood. And according to The Stem:

Studies have even shown plants can help boost productivity by 15 per cent and co-existing with nature can help us complete tasks with greater accuracy, improve our attention span and retain information better. If you’re working from home at the moment, it’s definitely worth considering a plant for your desk.

While many of us are working from home, we definitely understand why sales of houseplants have gone up this. year!

Plants with broad leaves in particular work well in your work space: they will help regulate the humidity in your room and increase positivity levels as we naturally feel more calm and relaxed when we see greenery and nature.

According to The Stem:

There is lots of evidence to suggest that spending time in nature can improve our mental and physical well-being. Bringing plants into your home can have a calming effect and help to reduce stress levels. Studies also show that interacting with plants induces physiological and psychological relaxation - there is something rewarding about looking after plants, nurturing them and watching them grow. 

So, what about having plants in your bedroom?

A Peace Lily would make a good bedroom plant. They are amazing air cleaners and have been proven to increase humidity by up to 5% which has a positive impact on our breathing at night. Snake Plants are superstars at purifying the air, removing pollutants in the day, and releasing oxygen at night - making them a great plant to have in a bedroom. They are really easy to look after, but both are toxic so should be kept away from children."

And if you do have children, the best suggestions for plants that are safe and can withstand some playing and pulling would be:.

The Kentia Palm, as it's one of the most versatile plants around and the tall stems and long, glossy, green leaves are super resilient. It would also be worth considering the Parlour Palm or Calathea Orbifolia.

If you're not naturally green fingered, don't fret. There are plenty of low-maintenance houseplants that even the most sleep-deprived of new parents can't kill.

Most of the plants on our website are relatively easy to care for, and many of our most popular plants are in our easy care or low maintenance collections. Plants such as Snake Plants, Kentia Palms and ZZ plants continue to be crowd-favourites due to their low care needs, as long as you water them once the soil has dried out and they get a little bit of natural light they should be happy.

Ad if you're looking for a great baby shower gift or new mama present, look no further!

An Areca Palm can grow up to 6ft tall so definitely are a great gift if you are looking for a statement plant with a big WOW factor. A Money Tree is another great gift idea, it’s easy to care for and according to folk-lore, brings good luck. Available in two sizes this plant can work on the floor or on a countertop / side table. Both are non-toxic so make for good presents for a new Mum.

So, can you ever have too many plants in your home?

As long as you’re able to care for them all then definitely no!

Creating an indoor garden can bring you so much joy. Whether you live in an apartment, cottage or large house, there are plants to suit you and with the right ones you will start to see noticeable improvements to your health and happiness.

For more information or to view and purchase plants by The Stem, visit https://thestem.co.uk/