No one is more surprised by our recent home update than I am – we have plants!
And not just outside but in the house, too!
Yep, you heard right. Actual plants, in the house.
I know that may not sound radical to most of you, but if I’m completely honest, until recently I’d never been much of a plant person. It’s not that I don’t like them it’s more that they never seemed to like me. Luckily my plant care skills have improved over the last few years, which is why we finally felt that it was time to take the plunge and introduce plants into our home for the first time – ever! And we love them!
I’ve always loved them outside and our small balcony is crammed full of them (I do miss having a garden) but inside has always been another matter. Have I turned into a crazy plant lady? Well, no. Okay, so maybe but I honestly can’t believe that we didn’t add them earlier! Aren’t they gorgeous?!
And, as you can see, we didn’t just stick a few new plants into the corners of some of our rooms. We really wanted to create an impact so we built a DIY hanging garden!
We wanted as much flexibility as possible, so we decided to hang our plants from a rail mounted on our dining table.
We were going to hang our plants from the ceiling (using a simple curtain rail suspended from the ceiling) but because our ceilings are a whopping 3.6m high we decided that suspending our DIY hanging garden from the table would be an easier option.
Our new houseplants may have taken over our dining table (we’ll ultimately suspend our DIY hanging garden in front of the kitchen window) but I love how it feels and every time I sit there it makes me feel super relaxed and like I’m on holiday in a tropical location. And, if I’m completely honest, we’ve spent more time sitting at the table since installing our DIY hanging garden than we have done in months!
There are more reasons to introduce plants into your home than just for the beauty of them, though. Did you know that plants have health benefits, too?
I totally admit that it’s not something I’d ever really thought about, which is why I was intrigued when Push Doctor, the UK’s No. 1 online doctor consultation service, recently got in touch about sharing their #GoGreener campaign which is all about the benefits of going green for your health.
Have you ever noticed how going for a walk in the park makes you feel better? Or how you somehow feel more creative? Well, according to Push Doctor, spending more time in green spaces and connecting with nature has been shown to improve both physical and psychological well being. A recent study even showed that people who work in a green space have a 26% boost in cognition!
There are loads of other benefits of plants, too. Here are just a few of them:
- Plants Boost Your Mental Health
Nature is known to help alleviate stress, depression and anxiety. And, being outdoors triggers serotonin which helps lift your mood! - Plants Help Boost Concentration And Creativity
As well as lifting your mood, a study has shown that being outside can help you concentrate better. And another study suggests it can make you more creative, too.
- Being Among Nature Gets You Active
Being outdoors is linked to physical activity, which will, of course, make you healthier and can give your mood a boost, too.
- Tops up your Vitamin D
Vitamin D gives you strong bones and teeth by helping the body absorb calcium more easily. - Helps you feel more alert
Being in natural light ensures your pineal gland isn’t triggered to produce melatonin, a hormone that makes you sleepy.
You can read about even more health benefits of connecting with nature over on the Push Doctor website where there’s loads of information on things you can do to make your day greener.
Our new DIY hanging garden is one of my favourite new additions to our home and being surrounded by plants really does make me feel happier.
I’m admittedly still a houseplant novice, so the plants we chose are all fairly low maintenance. And, as I like things to have a purpose as well as looking pretty, I couldn’t resist sneaking in some herbs, too.
I also wanted our little urban jungle to have a really relaxed look which is why I opted for a range of different plants and accessories. I love how the different textures, shapes, sizes and shades of green work together.
With so many positive aspects to having houseplants, why not make your life greener, too?
Oh, and if you’re a houseplant novice like me, I have a (rather random) tip that will help you keep your plants alive.
Give them names!
Seriously, I know that it sounds bonkers but it’s something that’s really worked for me. It makes them feel more like friends and you’ll remember to give them the love and attention that they need.
Oh, and don’t forget to head over to the Push Doctor website if you’re interested in reading more about the benefits of plants and give them a follow on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for even more health advice and information!
Do you have houseplants? Did you know that connecting with nature can have health benefits? Do you have a favourite plant – we’d love to hear your suggestions as we’re keen on adding to our (still small) plant collection!
Marvellous!
Thank you, Eina! It’s fun, isn’t it?
Cx
I have orchids on my kitchen windowsill sounds exotic but they thrive on neglect! I spray them when I remember approx 1 x per week, water about every 2 weeks. Rewarded by beautiful long lasting flowers, even if they appear to have died just water, feed and they’ll be back.
Can highly recommend Tradascantia, green or purple striped flowers, roots from leaf cuttings and is easy to look after
Scented Geraniums/Pelagoniums, some great for keeping flies at bay, gorgeous perfumes
Spider Plant
As you have such tall ceilings consider Hoya which are best viewed from underneath (I had one in a hanging basket in my living room) tiny but beautiful flowers and perfume is lovely but subtle too.
Jasmine, lovely climber and gorgeous perfume
Ferns, maidenhair gets a bad press, its not that hard and is so pretty when it trembles.
Sensitive plant – so much fun watching it collapse
Sansiveria (Mother in Law’s Tongue) gives architectuaral detail
I absolutely believe in being surrounded by plants. I have a cactus garden on a shelf in my front hall, it’s 6″ x 3″ and houses 8 different cacti along with pebbles I’ve picked up while travelling.
Good luck to you both in your new garden of Eden
Thank you so much for your super helpful comment, Lucy! My Mum has the most amazing orchids on her windowsill and I’m pretty sure they’re as good as they are because she forgets them!
Thank you so much for all of your plant recommendations, too! I’ll definitely look into them – I guess it’s like a tattoo (or so I’m told) once you’ve started you just can’t stop! ;)
Cx
This is lovely!
Thank you, Lizzie!
Cx