Renew Yourself With Houseplants in 2024

Breathe new life into your home and your well-being this year by growing new green companions.

 

Every year, there’s more and more research on the connection between plants and our personal well-being. From purifying our air to reducing stress, a vibrant plant life both inside your house, and in the garden, renews your home environment, and by extension your own well-being. This New Year, let yourself nurture this win-win relationship by growing these beautiful and beneficial plants! 

 

Oxygen Oasis: Plants for Improved Air Quality & Breathing 

The plants of the earth are quite literally our lungs. From the forests of Pennsylvania to the algae in the ocean, they breathe out the oxygen that us mammals breathe in. Inside our homes, we can foster a microcosm of this beautiful relationship by growing an abundance of houseplants. In 2024, try adding these revitalizing plants to your home atmosphere! 

Spider Plant: Renowned for its air-purifying prowess, the spider plant tops the list. It efficiently removes common pollutants such as formaldehyde and xylene, promoting cleaner air for you and your family.

Peace Lily: With elegant white blooms, the peace lily not only adds beauty to your space, but acts as a powerful air purifier, removing toxins such as ammonia, benzene, and formaldehyde. These chemicals make their way into our houses through cleaners, carpets, and paint. 

Boston Ferns: These lush ferns infuse the air with fresh oxygen, and act as efficient filters. Removing pollutants such as formaldehyde and airborne mold, contributing to a healthier and more oxygen-rich environment.

 

Peace & Tranquility: Houseplants for Reducing Stress 

Everyone has experienced the peace of spending time in a garden or forest, but now even scientists have revealed the link between the presence of plants and reduced stress. Studies have shown that roads with boulevard trees see fewer incidents of speeding. Scientists have also observed reduced stress and higher creativity in offices and classrooms with more plant life. 

We can experience these positive effects and renew our home with any houseplants, but here are some especially good companions for 2024: 

Lavender: Known for its calming fragrance, lavender promotes relaxation and reduces stress. Having a potted lavender plant in your space creates a calming atmosphere that can positively impact your physical and mental well-being.

Areca Palm: There’s nothing like the swaying fronds of a palm tree to remind us of a soothing beach. If the abundant greenery of this plant doesn’t reduce your stress, its laid back style certainly will!

Rosemary: More than a culinary delight, this herb contributes to improved mood and cognitive function. The healing aroma released by rosemary adds a burst of wellness to your kitchen.

 

Nurturing Nature: Fostering a Connection to the Outdoors Through Plants 

In our minds, we have a clear distinction between indoors and outdoors, but in reality, those spaces are quite permeable. Outdoor air flows in through doors, windows, and vents. Sunlight pours in through our windows, and water circulates from rivers through our taps. We can build an even greater connection with the earth outside by growing houseplants in our homes. 

Here are more suggestions for fostering this enriching relationship in the New Year: 

Pothos: The pothos is known for its vigorous growth and adaptability. As it extends its vines, it drapes our shelves and walls in greenery, turning indoor space into a vibrant canvas of life.

Fiddle Leaf Fig: Majestic and grand, the fiddle leaf fig brings a touch of the forest into our living space. Its large, glossy leaves create a sense of grandeur, connecting us to the vastness and beauty of the natural world.   

String of Pearls: Cascading succulents like the string of pearls resemble a waterfall of greenery. Like a mythical creature from another world, they are a reminder of the countless amazing and wondrous creatures of the more-than-human world.   

 

Garden Wellness: The Connection Between Plants & Physical Health

Moving beyond houseplants to the garden, both research and personal experience prove the revitalizing effect of gardening. The tranquility of a garden, the healthy bacteria that we breathe in from the soil, the unparalleled nourishment of home grown food, and the physical strength we gain from gardening are just a few of many benefits. 

Moving beyond our personal interest, gardening also brings another layer of meaning to our lives. It lets us participate in the flourishing of life beyond our backyard. Each pollinator-friendly flower, every native plant, every tree, and every species we add provides more opportunities for birds, insects and wildlife to live in our region. Through gardening, we can turn our backyard into a more vibrant and biodiverse piece of the wider tapestry of life around us.

 

For more in-person inspiration on growing new plants this year, come visit our vibrant garden center in Glenside, PA!