Crazy Plant Lady: Surprising Health Benefits of Succulents
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Have you been called a crazy plant lady? IS your office space overflowing with greenery? And your search history is full of "best plants for ...." and "whats wrong with my plant" questions?Then you are in the right place.
Over the years I have gone through phases of having plants in every single corner, to inevitably thinning them all out. (only to somehow collect more shortly after)
I've always had a bit of a green thumb and enjoyed watching plants thrive under my care, so when I learned how beneficial plants could be to your holistic health-- I was sold. This post will share all the ways that your favorite plants are helping your health. (or maybe convince you to pick some up if you are not already a crazy plant lady)
What Are Succulents
I feel like in recent years, social media has shown more and more homes with beautiful house plants as part of the decor. And one of the most popular for it's low-maintenance requirements is succulents.
Succulents are hardy plants with thick leaves that are able to store water. This feature makes them very drought-resistant plants and a great addition to your plant collection. That means they do not need very much moisture at all, and can go a whiiiile without being watered. The important thing is that you don't forget to water them forever 😉
Think plants like aloe, christmas cactus, jade and snake plants, and so many more. If you go to your local succulent market or garden shop you’ll be shocked by all the fun and unique varieties.
PRO TIP: If you feel like you “don’t do well with succulents” ( I used to as well!), it’s probably because your plant doesn’t have enough drainage and is getting root rot.
Make sure that any succulent is in well draining soil like this, and your pot has plenty of drainage holes! Also remember that most succulents do not need to be watered again until their soil is fully dry!
Health Benefits of Succulents
Succulents make great plants because they are low maintenance, require less water and care than other houseplants, and usually hard to mess up. That is why they are a great place to start out for anyone looking to level-up their living space. They're also a kind of plant with a wide variety of health benefits.
1. Natural Air Purifiers
There are a number of studies that have shown succulent species help to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. Some sources of VOC's can include air fresheners, aerosol sprays, household cleaner, personal care and beauty products, and cigarette smoke to name a few. These compounds not only worsen indoor air quality, but they can negatively impact your overall health
Studies have shown VOC's are associated with increased rates of asthma, allergies, sore throat, headaches, and a weakened immune system. So just how many little plants does it take to see benefits in air quality? In the NASA study, it was recommended you have 3 small plants (in approximately 10 inch pots) for every 100 square feet.
Here are some of the best succulents for air purification:
aloe vera
corn plant
Peace Lily (while not a succulent, it is one of the most well-known plants for purifying the air)
2. Stress Reduction
Stress levels are at an all time high and it leads into things like chronic illness, increased stress, weakened immunity , poor sleep, and anxiety. All of which have a negative effect on your overall health. I have talked a lot on the blog about how nature has positive effects on stress levels. So why not bring nature into your living or office space?
It has also been shown that when caring for plants, it increases feelings of self-care. This increases both self confidence and creates a greater sense of peace.
If you are needing easy ways to limit your daily stress levels, adding a succulent into your working space may be a great first step!
3. Improved Brain Capabilities
There have been multiple recent studies showing that plants have a positive effect on brain function including increased attention span, memory retention, improved cognition and learning. If you are looking to improve your focus, it may be a good idea to add a couple into your work space or home office.
This is also a great idea to keep in mind for the space your children do homework. Not only can it help their attention and focus, but it can help to create a more stress free and creative atmosphere.
4. Humidity Control
If you struggle with dry air, succulents may be just what you need. They bring more moisture into your indoor environment and are a great idea for arid regions. By increasing the moisture in the air you can also improve dry skin and hair!
(some of my other all natural hacks for skin and hair health are collagen in my coffee and beef tallow!)
5. Boost Creativity
Personally, nature always inspires me. I find it hard to be in or around nature without being in awe of how uniquely designed it all is. And it is science-backed too!
According to recent research by Texas A&M University, plants can boost creativity by up to 15% while working! If you are struggling with writer’s block, or maybe have found yourself uninspired with a project, try adding some succulents into your space.
If you work indoors with limited light, these are some great plant varieties:
string of hearts (my favorite for trailing vines and leaves)
Some Additional Benefits of House Plants
If you have ever felt like wellness is expensive or out of reach, this is an easy way to work on improving your environment. One of my favorite budget-friendly ways to have houseplants is to propagate stem cuttings. Certain plants can easily create new plants simply by cutting off a portion of the stem and allowing them to grow roots in water.
I have this propagation vase and it is so much fun getting roots on a cutting and then getting to start a whole new plant!
propagating plant cuttings is such a fun and affordable way to grow your plant collection
I will use small glass jars, or a propagation vase to watch my cuttings grow roots to see when they are ready to plant!
These small plants, with a little water and a little attention, can grow into air-purifying, stress-reducing, joy-giving parts of your home!
Another one of my favorite things to do with plants is give them as gifts. I have received a few as gifts myself, and they are such a special part of my home. My favorite plant I have ever been given is a Christmas cactus that my grandma had for many years- the best part is that she had started that plant from a stem cutting from a Christmas cactus that was originally my great grandmas. During the winter months, it has beautiful blooms that remind me of both of them.
There you have it! A few reasons to keep on with your crazy plant lady self 😜
‘til next time
Kaelyn
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