Houseplant Appreciation Day: Easy Options and Helpful Tips

In honor of Houseplant Appreciation Day, this plant lady wants to share some more plant tips with you including the easiest houseplants to own!

 

If you’ve read my previous posts, you’ll remember I normally focus on outdoor gardening but January 10th is Houseplant Appreciation Day! There’s an indoor wonderland of gardening that I love too. So let’s appreciate some of the green babies that make our homes a little brighter, a little colorful, and give us a little pick me up.

Whether you have houseplants or are thinking of acquiring some, you should know there is much to be appreciated. One of the many benefits of houseplants is that they are scientifically proven to help improve our mood and relieve stress. Who else needs that in the new year? I know I do!

 

Houseplants help cleanse our air, remove some air pollutants, and remove carbon dioxide. Studies have even shown they can reduce indoor dust! The more plants you have, the higher the benefit. There are little to no negatives when it comes to having a houseplant unless you start to run out of room for where to put them!  For Houseplant Appreciation Day you can give your plants a little extra loving, or get yourself one you’ve been itching to try.

But I have a black thumb!

Snake plants are also known as mother-in-law’s tongue… so, I’ll just leave that tidbit right there. Anyway, these plants are so beautiful, have such interesting shapes, and are foolproof to take care of. As long as you don’t overwater them. NASA studies show they remove formaldehyde from the air. They’re perfect for bedrooms or any room really. We keep one in our room, one in our son’s room, and two in the family room. I think we really enjoy this houseplant. These come in different colors, wider or thinner, and are all stunning. Snake plants can live in low light or bright light and will thrive in either. Water them once or twice a month (yes, that’s it). Check to make sure their dirt is bone dry before watering and you’ll have ongoing success. 

The famous ZZ plants are some stunning houseplants and would be a great addition to your home if you don’t own one. These plants don’t require a ton of light and a little neglect doesn’t do them any harm. There are a few varieties of ZZ plants but my favorites are the classic green ZZ plant and the Raven ZZ that has deep dark leaves that look nearly black. These houseplants have funky growth and bring a unique look to any house. Water the ZZ once a week or every couple of weeks, always checking their soil. They like to be dry before watering. If you see yellow leaves, they are getting too much water. Hold off a week before watering again.

Caveat, if you have curious pets or even curious small children, keep ZZ plants on a higher level. Ingesting them can make humans very sick or be toxic to pets in high amounts.

Other houseplants to consider…

Two other great houseplants that I highly recommend and are fairly easy to care for are Aloe plants and Monstera Deliciosas. The aloe has great medicinal benefits. Aloe grows and reproduces without any help, requires very little water (also once a month or so), and has a great look. 

The Monstera Deliciosa is one you’ve likely seen before with their grand leaves with holes in them. The uniqueness of these leaves make them very desirable and brings a little bit of the tropics right into your home. I’ve found the Monstera to be low maintenance, watering once a week deeply but always checking how dry the soil is.

So today, it’s time to thank those green babies for what they do. Give your houseplants a little extra love today or acquire some new friends! Studies show that they love music and talking to them actually stimulates growth. Thank them with a little dusting, a nice watering, or some fertilizer. If you haven’t already, why not name your plant babies, too?

 

 

So, which plant will you be appreciating on Houseplant Appreciation Day or which one caught your eye to bring home? Let me know in the comments!