PLANT LIFE
“Our bodies are our gardens – our wills are our gardeners.”
~ William Shakespeare
Houseplants are a wonderful part of our nourishing lives. Being in close proximity to greenery is incredibly healthy; the coolness of the color green helps us relax, stimulating a sense of equilibrium and harmony that can significantly reduce stress and anxiety.
Studies have shown that surrounding ourselves with green can positively impact our mental health by reminding us of our connection to nature. In color psychology, green symbolizes life, growth, new beginnings, renewal, fertility, and generosity.
Bringing the outdoors in with indoor plants ~ especially for city dwellers~ offers wonderful healing properties, making it feel a bit like living in a treehouse. (I’m absolutely obsessed with plants and always wish I could have more!)
Tending to indoor plants can become a beautiful, relaxing form of moving meditation, boosting our mood and reducing stress when done regularly.
Homes filled with plants feel much more inviting and warm. Research shows that offices with abundant real plants foster happier, more productive staff who take fewer sick days compared to those without greenery. Apparently even spaces adorned with photographs of plants can uplift the atmosphere.
During week four, let’s shift our focus to our green babies! If you don’t have any yet, consider welcoming one or two into your home—a spider plant is a great starter choice. (If you live nearby, I often have plant babies to share!)
Do you have houseplants?
What are they like?
Do they need some TLC right now?
Do you rotate them frequently?
I find great joy in caring for my plants; it truly enriches my everyday life. There’s always something to notice and nurture: turning them regularly so each side gets a chance to soak up the light, dead-heading withered leaves and flowers, adding a little new compost or food, and sharing cuttings or baby shoots with friends (I adore propagating!).
If you’ve labeled yourself a “plant killer,” try a new approach! Change the narrative in your mind and start fresh. Remember our discussion about how “whatever we focus on expands!”
The main reasons plants struggle to survive are:
Over-watering
Neglect/under-watering
Soil rot from inadequate drainage
Soil lacking in nutrients or the wrong type of soil
Just like us, plants have unique needs. From time to time, nourish your plants with herbal tea, banana-peel-tea, seaweed tea, or even black tea (just avoid milk, sugar, or citrus).
Be sure to strain these infusions well to prevent chunks from attracting fruit flies.
Rotate your plants at least once a week to help them grow stronger by ensuring they receive light on all sides.
Add fresh compost a few times a year (perhaps every quarter).
Ensure they have the correct soil type, are in appropriately sized pots, and have proper drainage.
Love your green babies! These small gestures, when gathered together, can make a profound difference in our overall well-being. Remember, "the small things are the big things."
Some bonus stuff for you ~
Article ~
Why women need plants & how they help us live longer.
Treat yourself to fresh flowers too. (I love orchids, they stay flowering for many months before you need to cut them back, and if you are lucky they will grow back to give you more. And I love foraging for wild flowers - ‘tis the season for that once more.
These are my pickings from this weekend ~
