We have over fifty houseplants in this little home. Our house is 868 sq feet. She’s a baby house stuffed with incredibly active and alive plants.
Everyone who first walks through our front door always says, “Ohhhhh my God, look at all the plants! They’re beautiful!” They are. Truly truly beautiful. And OH. SO. Smart.
It’s incredible watching them. My ex girlfriend said to me one time, “That aloe wasn’t sticking out like that before.” I looked at her kind of perplexed and said…no…plants are alive…you know that right?
But aside from the aesthetic of houseplants that I truly love more than anything in the world, its whats happening in your home BECAUSE of the house plants thats seriously amazing and downright bad ass.
What Do Houseplants Do All Day While You Go To Work?
I think we’ve all been taught that house plants purify, clean, and oxidize the air around us. But do we really know what that means?
Plants take in (inhale) carbon dioxide through the air to produce (exhale) oxygen for humans to breathe during a process called photosynthesis. According to our friends at treehugger.com, (1) most plants will naturally stop the photosynthesis process at night but there are a select few that keep the process going all night thus making you breathe easier AND cleaner. Pretty cool right?
*orchids, succulents and epiphytic bromeliads*(1)
Nasa experts have advised keeping those special photosynthesizing plants in your bedroom to ensure the cleanest oxygen while you sleep. (2) How do plants make the air cleaner? Nasa experts again, to the rescue.
“Both plant leaves and roots are utilized in removing trace levels of toxic vapors from inside tightly sealed buildings. Low levels of chemicals such as carbon monoxide and formaldehyde can be removed from indoor environments by plant leaves alone.” (2)
AMAZING. Yes please, we’ll be having all of that. With extra plants to remove all the extra toxins. If thats a thing.
Breathe, Easy
If you live anywhere in the world where you’re environment is dry causing sore throats, dry coughs, and even affecting your skin, you WITHOUT a doubt need houseplants.
We live in MA, and lemme tell you, if I didn’t love my crazy family as much as I do I’d be first in line to head to a warmer climate. Here in the winter months I HATE to be cold. HATE. Like multiply that awful hanger feeling by oh I don’t know, the feeling of getting fired a day before you were going to quit, dropping your coffee while trying to be in a good mood, or busting your nail a day after getting them done. THAT. PISSED. OFF. I hate the cold.
SO naturally in the winter, my heat is on a VERY comfy 73 degrees. My dad thinks I’ve lost my actual mind. Don’t care. I’m warm and happy and currently still located in MA, father, I’d tread lightly. 😉
However, the air in here will get extremely dry. My hair, skin, scalp, and even nails will become extremely dry, itchy and downright annoying. Guess what?
As our house plant collection grew, those symptoms subsided. Like…almost gonzo. But how? Why? Magic houseplants from Hogwarts?
“Plant roots tap the groundwater table for water which then evaporates through its leaves in a process known as transpiration. Studies show that this accounts for about 10 percent of the moisture in the atmosphere! The same thing happens at home (minus the groundwater table part), which increases the humidity indoors.” (1)
How crazy right?! It works! I mean do I still amp up my beauty and skincare regime in the fall and winter months, yes absolutely, but this has made those products have to work a whole lot less.
Stay Moist. (How many haters for that title)
So not only are we learning that house plants help us breathe easier and cleaner air, they also lessen our chances of getting sick and having dry skin! What other magic powers do they have?
How about if I told you while researching for this article I myself learned that houseplants can actually lessen healing time for people. Kansas State University is responsible for this incredible finding. They conducted a study in which resulted in the discovery that patients simply viewing plants in their recovery rooms, made “…significant improvement in physiologic responses as evidenced by lower systolic blood pressure, and lower ratings of pain, anxiety, and fatigue as compared to patients without plants in their rooms.” (1)
This one I can entirely see and understand the moment I read about it. Every single morning I get up and I say good morning to my plants (so does my Grandmother, we’re both insane what can I say- the apple doesn’t fall far) as I open the blinds and curtains for the day. I check and see who’s happy, and who’s a little sad and droopy, check everybody’s needs for the day before I move on to other things. Its a beautiful part of my everyday. Something I really always look forward to.
Lastly, our beloved houseplants also make us better workers. Say what? Being around plants creates drive, concentration, focal ability and memory retention up to 20% says the study findings of the University of Michigan. (1)
We’re hooked.
What Plants Are Right For Me?
**This post may contain affiliate links, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you, these are all products I recommend, I won’t put anything on this page that I haven’t verified or personally used.**
So now that you’ve all become houseplant obsessed as well, please, don’t tell me you all aren’t craving to live in your own jungle. Let’s figure out which plants are easy, and which plants require a little bit more of a pro to keep alive.
YES, you guys Amazon sells houseplants. ALIVE. HOUSEPLANTS!!!
Mind blown.
Who would have thought Amazon would be selling houseplants?! Once I learned that, FORGET IT! I’ve since then I’ve been an Amazon plant purchaser! Thank me later! Think – GIFTS. Definitely not the last minute ones though…you know where you can depend on Prime to actually save your life. Plants are SUCH a great gift!
Beginner Houseplants
- The Golden Pothos Vine (Get HERE) Ahhhhh my favorite. I have these guys ALL over my house. They’re SO simple, grow like crazy, and are always an eye-catcher. Water when the soil is dry! Super easy to make cuttings of as well. The little cuttings make great gifts! I’m not lying when I tell you I think we have about 20 of these many of them from Amazon! No joke. The Golden Pothos Vine is hands down one of my favorite houseplants of ALL time. It’s STUNNING and legit indestructible.
- The Spider Plant (Get HERE) I have currently 1 HUGE spider plant hanging in my kitchen. She’s had a few babies, so we have a little spider family now. They love water, but they also love to dry out between watering. You’ll notice if the leaves are browning on the ends you’re either under or over watering. These guys love their big bath time. I take him outside and really drench him when he gets really dry (about once x month)
- The Snake Plant, AKA Mother In Law’s Tongue (I love that) (Get HERE) I have one snake plant right now and she’s located on the floor next to my Buddha. The leaves are like swords, you guys. They’re SO thick and amazing. This guy could live ANYWHERE. Perfect for your bedroom. They don’t need a lot of light if ANY at all. Try to kill it, I dare ya! We have 3 of these, soon to be 4, I plan to put one outside on our front steps!
- The Dracaena (Get HERE) This comes in so many different colors and types. We have 4 of these here at the FEMPIRE headquarters. They’re beautiful and add a tropical vibe to the house. My mom has one that’s as tall as the ceiling, truly incredible. I should also add, I’m 30 this year, and she’s had it long before I was born. These guys are with you for life! I had to get sheer curtains for these guys, they love the bright sun but direct up against the window contact will burn their leaves. So use a window sheer, they love light, just filtered light! They can tolerate a TON of neglect. But don’t neglect them. They’re far too pretty.
- Succulents and Cacti (Get HERE) This is one I may have disagreed with at FIRST. It’s easy for everyone else but me. Again not sure if it was the dry air or really what the issue was. But succulents and I never really got along – until now. I always thought they just don’t love me back. But, I’m happy to report I’ve had a change in heart and I think I was overwatering and just being a hovering plant mama. I’ve moved all of my cacti and succulents outside for the summer and they’re SO happy! Typically succulents and cacti enjoy dry weather! They like waterings ever 2 weeks. If I know it’s going to be wild New England weather, I’ll bring them inside. They’re extremely drought tolerant and truly there’s not much you can do to kill them. They actually CAN burn though, so heighten their sun exposure slowly and let them adjust. They’re definitely worth a shot for beginners because they’re super easy! And OH so beautiful!
- Bromeliads (Get HERE) These are BEAUTIFUL. This is our personal bromeliad! They add so many tropical feelings to your home and if you’re lucky you’ll see their beautiful flaming flowers spout out of the top. They’re finicky about what environment they want to show those flowers in though. They’re tropical so they enjoy high humidity! This photo was taken in the summer so he was super happy. Also, watering is done through the center of the plant you actually want to keep most of their soil dry – as their roots don’t absorb the water as most plants do! These guys are a little different. Also important to note – they don’t live forever. They only bloom once (if you’re lucky enough to see it!) and they will most of the time die afterward. BUT they leave you with beautiful little pups so you’ll never be without!
- Lucky Bamboo (Get HERE) These guys are all over our home! They live in the water and love being surrounded by pebbles and rocks. A total and complete breeze to keep alive! They’re said to bring luck wherever they are!
- Chinese Evergreen (Get HERE) This is one of my favorite plants in the FEMPIRE. The colors are so captivating and bright. They come in a variety of colors but ours has the bright pink and the bright green in contrast. Just gorgeous. One of the fastest growing plants that we’ve had here too, pictured below Repotted once, and it’s easily doubled in size. Also an easy houseplant, they’re super happy in a bright living room with filtered light!
What Will I Need To Care For Them?
We compiled a quick list of things you’ll need and no you don’t have to be an expert on plants and have an entire cabinet dedicated to nutrients and whatnot. When we started all I ever did was water them and love them, and to be totally honest – thats still really all I ever do.
- Find yourself a cute watering can for INSIDE use such as this elephant guy that we have! All the water comes out of his little nose and it doesn’t go ALL over the place like a regular watering can would!
2. A regular watering can for those once a month days to REALLY give them a bath. Once per month usually depending on the plant I’ll bring them outside and drench them, let them get some fresh air and bring them back inside. (Obviously, do this on a nice sunny day!) The bigger watering cans come out much faster and out of many holes so it makes for a perfect plant shower! 🙂 Notice the spouts are much different!
3. Potting Soil!! Every plant guru uses potting soil. Yes, there are 5,000 types of potting soil but this one is the one I tend to always grab (because it’s convenient from Amazon and I don’t have to haul a huge ass bag of dirt out of a cart. 2019 champagne problems. I’ve also used Miracle Grow Indoor Potting Soil before as well and had great success with that! There are specific soils for certain plants such as succulents and cacti (I’ve always just used a regular potting soil and they’ve been just fine, but they DO make a cactus soil if you’re mainly planting cacti and succulents!)
Cute planters you’ll need OF COURSE. They’re you’re babies they cant just be placed ANYWHERE. I will say depending on the planter you choose – make SURE there is drainage. If there isn’t drainage you can drill holes through the bottom of pretty much any planter (JUST BE CAREFUL!) I like to look for ones that have a built-in saucer because it allows the plant to drain. This pair I’m linking for you guys comes in a set of 2, lots of different colors, and looks great literally anywhere!
Hanging Macrame Planters! Don’t underestimate the boho-power of these guys. Our house is SO incredibly cool looking because of these planters. For real – we live in this hippie jungle and I say to Lynn at least every day – God, I love those hanging plants, they just MAKE this house!
Miracle-Gro Plant Food Spikes! When I first started with my plant obsession I just heard the words fertilizer, nutrients, plant food and I got wigged out and overwhelmed. I thought it was a MUCH more complicated process than it really was. Introducing plant spikes. AKA the easiest sh*t you’ll ever do in your life. Stick em in your house plant, water em, DONE. They feed for 2+ months and like I said – the easiest thing you’ll ever do. Like…watering is a bigger challenge! haha!
There we go FAM! Houseplants make our lives a much cleaner, healthier, happier, more productive, and more beautiful space to be in AND they’re so simple and easy to care for. PLUS- they give back! What more can we ask for? You definitely don’t have to live in a jungle like we do, but we’re very happy living our Mogli life. We’re all about it! Heres a few pics of our very own jungle. Fempire style. We post pictures of our beauties ALL the time – be sure to follow us on INSTA! And as always, send us a message if you have any questions!
ALSO** If you’re a plant LOVER and a houseplant QUEEEEEEN- check out the MANY facebook groups for houseplant lovers! Houseplant Hoarders is my favorite! I’ve learned SO much from the people in the group! They rock!
References:
- Breyer, Melissa. “5 Health Benefits of Houseplants.” TreeHugger, Treehugger, 30 Oct. 2018, www.treehugger.com/health/5-health-benefits-houseplants.html.
- “Foliage Plants for Improving Indoor Air Quality.” NASA, NASA, ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19930073015.