Throughout lockdown, we were hardly allowed to do anything: go swimming, play team sports, or even go to the gym. This meant that many people suffered from severe boredom. People became more and more imaginative throughout the national lockdown when finding things to do, from learning new languages to learning how to tap dance, we tried it all. One of the things that people decided to try, was growing plants. It meant not leaving the house, and gave people something fun to do. This can be seen as an incredibly positive new ‘trend’ that can be hugely beneficial to the plant’s owners, and to the planet.

 

It is common knowledge that plants bring oxygen into the air. This is due to photosynthesis, when plants take the energy from the sun, water, and carbon dioxide, and transfer it into glucose and oxygen. Without oxygen, the human race, and most other animals, would die. This makes plants some of the most valuable things on the planet. So, having plants in your house or bedroom can do the same, just on a smaller scale! If you have a plant or two in your house, those plants will take the carbon dioxide that you breathe out of our lungs and transfer it into oxygen which you can then use to breathe. This is undoubtedly a benefit. Another benefit to house plants is that it can benefit your mental health. According to the Get It Growing Foundation, it is a scientific fact that active interaction with indoor plants can reduce physiological and psychological stress. In a world that is getting more stressful by the minute, this is hugely important. 

 

Sadly however, there can be some negative affects when it comes to house plants. House plants inevitably need watering fairly regularly, depending on it’s needs. This constant level of dampness can cause something called Black Mould. This is toxic to humans and can have negative health impacts. Another disadvantage is that houseplants can cause allergies such as hay fever or mould allergies. However, these issues can be tackled. If you keep your plant in direct sunlight and allow the soil to dry instead of leaving it in a permanent wet state, black mould can be prevented. If your plant is suffering from black mould, it is a good idea to repot the plant with new soil, or remove the plant altogether. 

 

Everybody is different, and some plants may suit some people more than others. For people who are very busy or do not have much space, then a succulent or cactus could be a good idea. Both succulents and cacti are very easy to care for, and rarely need watering. They can vary in size, but are usually very small, so they could be perfect for a window sill or desk. Another plant that is easy to look after is an air plant. These plants literally take their nutrients from the air, and rarely, if ever, need any input. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more challenging plant, or a plant to fill a larger space, then a monstera delisiosa could be considered. Also known as the ‘Swiss cheese plant’, it can grow to be the size of a person, and can live for forty years or more!

 

In conclusion, the recent boost in popularity of house plants can only be seen as a positive thing. They can help your mental health, as well as giving you a sense of responsibility by giving you something to look after. Also, by buying a house plant, you could be helping a local small business or farmer, who could have struggled through the national lockdown. Plants have an unquantifiable impact on the environment, and by buying a house plant, you could be helping your planet.