Your suite is feeling a little drab. There’s something missing in it. Before you start planning an extensive redesign, think about buying a few houseplants. You can put one on the kitchen counter, one on your nightstand, and some others right on your balcony to soak up all of the sunlight. These will be the perfect additions to your living space — and they won’t cost an arm and a leg, either.
Retiring with a Green Thumb
You want to retire in a space where you can exercise your green thumb. That’s why you need to find an independent living suite that’s houseplant friendly — this means lots of windows and walkout balconies to let in plenty of fresh air and sunlight. You want a place that lets you have more than a fake plant in the corner. You want the real deal. Click here to see senior retirement homes that offer the suite designs that you’re looking for, along with access to social gardening clubs and workshops.
Why are houseplants such an important element of home décor? Here are three reasons why:
1. They Clear the Air
Plants purify the air. So, if you have a room that feels stuffy and stale, you shouldn’t pick up a can of air freshener and spray it over every surface. All you have to do is put a potted fern or peace lily in the room. Soon enough, you’ll realize that it smells cleaner. You can have a breath of fresh air without having to open up a window.
2. They Improve Your Mood
Are you feeling down and hoping for an easy pick-me-up? Research shows that houseplants can improve your mood by easing your stress, making you feel calmer, and helping you get to sleep. They can also make you feel more focused, energetic, and happy. For a little bit of effort, you can get a lot of reward.
3. They’re Good for Your Health
Dealing with plant-life can have long-term benefits for your health and well-being. Research shows that gardening is linked to longer life expectancy and reduced chances of developing dementia.
What Plants Should You Get?
As long as you’re not allergic and they’re small/medium in size, you should be able to bring whatever plant you want inside. However, if you’re not an experienced gardener, you will want to find options that are low-maintenance. You don’t want to get excited about your new blooming orchid and then realize that you overwatered it within two weeks.
Having low-maintenance plants is also good for anyone who is having some difficulties with memory. So, you don’t have to worry if you accidentally water your plant twice or forget to water it for a few days — it can still thrive.
Here are some options that you might like:
- Chinese Evergreen
- Boston Fern
- Snake Plant
- Jade Plant
- Philodendron
- Succulent
- Wax Plant
Instead of putting a vase full of flowers on your kitchenette counter, put a potted plant. The cut flowers will wilt in a few days — that single plant can last you for years. During those years, you can enjoy all of the benefits to your health, mood, and interior design.
