Indoor Plants And Their Role In Mental Health

writer:Alina Thapa

Dhankuta- 1, Hile

Bsc.horticulture, 4th semester

MRMC Ilam.

  

The plants that are grown indoor for decorative purpose are known as indoor plant. But, they also have positive psychological effects as well as helps with air purification, improves health and increase the focus beside providing more welcome in house. Indoor plants also reduce carbondioxide. The practice of growing indoor plants not only have decorative and aesthetic purpose  but also have huge importance in human mental health . The plants should have proper colour, texture, and shape.Indoor plants are usually epiphytes, succulents or cacti.  

   

Plants that are generally grown as indoor plants in context of Nepal are:-

1. Sansevieria( Snake plant ),

2. Dracena,

3. Anthurium,

4. Asparagus fern,

5. Arica palm,

6. String of pearls,

7. Weeping fig,

8.Lucky bamboo,

9.Jade plant,

10. Tiger tooth,

11.Crown of thorns,

12. Aloe Vera,

13. Ice plant,

14. Cactus,

15. Moss rose,

16.Money plant,

17.Mint,

18. Philodendron, etc.

         

        Indoor plants need correct moisture, light levels, temperature, humidity, soil mixture, proper amount of fertilizer, potting and pest control.There are other various materials available in market. Porus pots are highly recommended as they provide better radiation . Beside this, baskets, ceramic pots or plastic pots are also used.

 Basic requirements:-

1.Indoor plants are generally grown in specialized soil called potting compost, vermi compost, compost manure and rarely in natural garden soil.The soil mixture should have proper nutrient, adequate drainage and proper irrigation.

2.Combination of peat, vermiculite or perlite is considered best as it helps for better aeration.

3. Coconut fiber or coco- peat should be used as it is considered sustainable.

4. Organic fertilizers should be given emphasis because inorganic may create problems in foliage texture.

How to plant?

At first, proper size of pot should be selected. Select porus pot or clay pot. If the pot doesn't have drainage hole,small holes are to be made at the bottom of the pot.  Mix 1:1 part of garden soil and coco-peat, small part of perlite and compost as potting mixture . Or, mix 3:1part of coco-peat and compost, and small part of perlite. If perlite is not available small gravel can also be used for easy drainage and preventing the flow of potting soil from drainage holes. Coco - peat have huge antifungal and antibacterial properties which make it perfect medium.After preparing potting mixture, make a good layer of perlite or gravel as the pot base. And add the required amount of potting mixture in a pot. Transfer the plant in it and press gently. The potting soil should set 1 cm below the pot rim. After completing this all procedure, throughly water it.

Tips for taking care of indoor plants

1. Be sure to keep soil moist but not too much which means light irrigation( 1-2 times a week) as per the nature of plant.

2.Keep the plants in such an area in the house that gets adequate light .

3.Have a clear idea about the nature of plants i.e water requirement, light requirement , etc.

4. Choose plants that are easy to care.

5. Do not move the plants a lot.

6. Repotting is to be done if in case plants shows abnormal behaviour like yellowing of foliage.

7. Open the windows of the house often for proper aeration.

8. Repotting is done in between 1-2 years by changing the potting soil.

9. Prune the plant if required.

Mental benefits of indoor plants

* Plants purify the air and oxygenate air we breathe,      which automatically help for mental well-being.

* It reduces stress and increase mood.

* Improve memory, cognition and mental well being.

* Provides psychological benefits

* Makes us relax, calm and all fabulous things.

* It is the complete blend of psychology along with      biology. So, caring for plants will encourage a         relationship  between plants and human. This may   create stronger bond with nature .

* Helps for mindfulnes. Prevent anxiety, depression risk and boost productivity.

* Plant reset the mind.

* It helps for calming, grounding and peaceful.

   

        Not only do plants look beautiful in our homes but we should never forget how beautiful we look from joy that plants give to us.

          Life is so uncertain. We never know, what happens when. COVID-19 is also an invisible factor which changed our life. We had never thought about this time that we'll get locked inside the house neither we were prepared for this. As the corona virus pandemic is accelarating across the world, fear and worries is also increasing day by day.There are no any sectors that are not been harmed or untouched by covid-19. Widespread loneliness is killing people everyday. There are lots of solutions to overcome this situation to build self-confidence and to keep ourselfe positive like yoga, meditation, exercise, reading books, gardening , plantation of indoor plants, involving in agricultural activities, singing , dancing, etc. Out of which plantation of indoor plants is one of the best alternatives to overcome these problems for lifetime because locking ourselves inside the room may create other various problems.

       What if we make our room peaceful, calm and positive ?

Of course! we will be mentally strong and calm.

So let us make our house positive, clean and green by following the practice of keeping indoor plants.

As the plants have the healing power and if we love them they will love you back. So keep the indoor plants as much as you can and gain lots of benefits from them.