Ever since I was in first year, I’ve found myself drawn to plants. I’m constantly buying more, obsessing over a new leaf as it’s about to unfurl. When I went home for the summer, I thought I’d stop buying new ones and let my current plants grow, but that wasn’t the case. Since I had more spaces around the house to fill, I found myself growing and propagating more and more plants — so here’s why you should, too.
One good thing about having plants in your home is that they help your physical health, because they take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Some plants are especially great for this, like snake or spider plants, which makes them the perfect plants to have in your room for when you sleep.
Believe it or not, plants also help your mental health. Having a plant to take care of gets your mind off of your problems without adding to your stresses, and isn’t nearly as much work as having a pet or a child. Studies have actually shown that plants can help boost your mood and overall happiness, while also reducing stress. Devoting time to watering and fertilizing them and getting to see the progress your plants make can definitely improve your day — from personal experience.
If those reasons aren’t enough, plants also make your home look more cozy and inviting, while filling up some empty space. You can hang plants high up, letting them grow down cabinets and bookshelves, or choose to place them around side tables and countertops. They’re a great talking point when you have people over and they see lovely plants around your home.
I know that a lot of people find plants intimidating because they’re worried they might kill them. And don’t get me wrong, plants aren’t for everyone — but it doesn’t hurt to give them a try. You might end up loving them!